NEW DELHI: In the face of unabated illicit wildlife trade and the rise in instances of wildlife crimes, the environment ministry has outlined the amendments it is considering to bring to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The ministry has now invited public comments on the draft amendments. The major emphasis of the proposed amendments is on the organised illicit wildlife trade. The attempt is to increase the economic cost and risk of undertaking such trade.
Such an effort would require increasing the financial penalties as well as conviction rates. "There is no strong financial disincentive that prevents poachers and smugglers from engaging in illicit wildlife trade, which in terms of value ranks only below illegal trade in arms and narcotics," the ministry's statement of objects and reasons states. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh has been of the view that those who violate wildlife protection laws should be treated at par with persons who violate foreign exchange laws.
In its current form the law has not been effective in dealing with wildlife crime and illicit trade especially those perpetrated by organised, international gangs of criminals who have a sophisticated network in India and abroad. The need for amendments to make punishment more stringent arises from the rather low rate of conviction since the act came into force.
Penalties have been proposed for offences, particularly those involving unlawful trade in wildlife products. Fines under several categories have been raised from paltry sums ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 to Rs2, 3 or 5 lakhs depending on the nature of crime. The amendments seek to increase the efficiency of prosecuting procedures and empowering officials for better results. To control the level of poaching, a clause on leg hold-traps has been introduced.
Organised poachers rely on these traps to capture tigers and leopards. These are dangerous devices that can cause grave damage to even human beings. The use of these traps is a violation of the Prevention of Cruelty (Capture of Animals) Rules, 1979. The amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act seek to go a step further and ban sale, manufacture and use of these traps and regulate their possession.
Given the need to curb organised illicit trade, the amendments seek ensure greater harmony between the Act and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. In July 1976, India became a party to the Convention, which aims to regulate the international trade in endangered species of animals and plants.
Finally, there is a recognition for increased wildlife science research to aid proper conservation and management. "Encouraging wildlife research is a crucial part of the endeavour to save the nations dwindling wildlife." The proposed amendments seek to promote independent scientific research and imposes obligations upon the central government to frame comprehensive rules and procedures governing the research.
