The conservation endeavours in India have
been primarily focused on saving tigers, which is one of the key wildlife
species in the faunal web. The major threats to tiger population are
numerous, such as poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey
base species, growing human population etc. The trade of tiger skins and the
use of their bones in traditional medicines especially in the Asian
countries left the tiger population on the verge of extinction. Since India
and Nepal, provide habitat to about two-thirds of the surviving tiger
population in the world, these two nations became prime targets for poaching
and illegal trading.
Wildlife Division in the Ministry is responsible for carrying out the
activities pertaining to Wildlife conservation with the State Governments
and to provide financial and technical assistance to them for scientific
management of the wildlife resources in the country.
It is also responsible for carrying out the events associated with wildlife
research and training of personnel involved in wildlife management through
Wildlife Institute of India. Presently Wildlife Division is headed by the
Addl. Director General of Forests (Wildlife) who is also Director, Wildlife
Preservation and the Management Authority of Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).
Indian Board For Wildlife (IBWL):
The IBWL is the top notch advisory body in the field of Wildlife
Conservation in the country and is headed by the Honorable Prime Minister of
India. The IBWL has been reconstituted w.e.f. 7.12.2001. The XXI meeting of
the IBWL was held on 21.1.2002 under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Prime
Minister of India at New Delhi.
Following
resolutions were adopted by the
Board:
Wildlife and forests shall be declared a priority sector at the national
level for which funds should be distinguished and earmarked.
Law enforcement agencies should ensure that those involved in poaching,
illicit trade in wildlife and wildlife products, destruction of their
habitat, and such other illegal activities are given quick and deterrent
punishment.
All efforts should fully tap the potential in wildlife tourism and at the
same time take care that it does not have adverse impact in wildlife and
protected areas. The revenue earned from increased tourism should be used
entirely to augment available resources for conservation.
Protecting interests of the poor and tribals living around protected areas
should be handled with sensitivity and with maximum participation of the
affected people. They should have access to the minor forest produce, in the
forest outside of national parks and sanctuaries. Employment and means
generation for these people is crucial for maintaining symbiosis between the
forests, wildlife and the people. People should be encouraged to take up
afforestation and conservation in new areas.
While strengthening protective measures against traditional threats to
wildlife, we should also respond to newer threats such as toxic chemicals
and pesticides.
There should be greater governmental as well as societal recognition and
support for the many non-governmental organisations engaged in wildlife
conservation. Mainstream media to better highlight their activities as also
successess of governmental initiatives that have worked.
Innovatively produced Television Programmes on wildlife and ecology are
widely appreciated by young and old as seen from the popularity of dedicated
T.V. channels like Discovery, National Geographic and Animal Planet. It is
proposed that Prasar Bharati and our private channels alongwith with
agencies like WWF for Nature should collaborate and increase original Indian
content in different languages on our television.
No diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes from critical and
ecologically fragile wildlife habitat shall be allowed.
Lands falling within 10 km. of the boundaries of National Parks and
Sanctuaries should be notified as eco-fragile zones under section 3(v) of
the Environment (Protection) Act and Rule 5 Sub-rule 5(viii) & (x) of
the Environment (Protection) Rules.
Removal of encroachments and illegal activities from within forest lands
and Protected Areas.
No commercial mono-culture to replace natural forests.
The settlement of rights in National Parks and Sanctuaries should not be
used to exclude or reduced the areas that are crucial and integral part of
the wildlife habitat.
More than 2000 vacant posts in the frontline staff of Protected Areas shall
be filled immediately and provided basic infrastructure for efficient
discharge of duties. Ban on recruitment of staff against vacant post should
be lifted on lines with the Police Department. Innovative initiative such as
redeployment of surplus employees in other departments, hiring local people
on voluntary or honorarium basis, raising donations from business houses and
other members of the public in return for a greater role for them in
implementing programme need to be explored.
Every protected area should be managed by forest officers trained in
wildlife management.
Mitigation measures for human-animal conflict and mechanism for crop
insurance as also expeditious disbursements of ex-gratia payments, should be
instituted by States.
Forest
Commission should be set up to look into restructuring, reform and
strengthening the entire forest set up and affiliated institutions in the
country.
A working group shall be constituted to monitor implementation of Wildlife
Action Plan.
Most importantly let us all resolve that we should end the relative neglect
of wildlife conservation in recent year. To begin with Board should meet
more often. Wildlife conservation is too important a task to be treated
lightly or ritualistically.
