Wildlife Act Likely To Get More Teeth

Great news! for all nature's lovers. Thanks to the Ministry of Environment, India a ray of hope for all endangered species of India who are fighting for their existence.

Keeping in view the excessive rise in the instances of wildlife crimes, recently, the Ministry of Environment in the leadership of Mr. Jairam Ramesh, (Minister of Environment) has outlined the some important amendments in the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.I must confess these proposed amendments will surely bring a change in the wildlife scenario in India.

The major emphasis of the proposed amendments is on the organized illicit wildlife trade. According to the statement of Ministry, “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,”. So, to curb the illicit wildlife trade, the ministry has tried to increase the economic cost and risk of undertaking such trade.

Environment Ministry has decided to increase financial penalties and conviction rates. Financial penalties have been proposed for offences, particularly which deals in unlawful trade of wildlife products. Even fines under various categories have been raised to hefty amount of Rs 2 to 5 lakhs based on the nature of crime. Beside these financial penalties, the ministry has also introduced clause on leg -hold traps and planned to ban sale, manufacture and use of leg - hold traps and regulate their possession.

I believe these amendments will definitely increase the efficiency of prosecuting procedures and empowering officials for better results. Also 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.