Lok Sabha passes Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha has passed a bill, on Tuesday, to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to add a new chapter for the proper implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in a response to the debate on the bill, said that development and protection of environment are not contrary concepts. He also said that the conservation of environment is the central government’s constitutional responsibility. Illustrating his point, he stated that the protected areas in the country have gone up from 693 to 987 in the last eight years, which also includes 52 tiger reserves.

With a view to preserving the ecological and environmental security of the nation, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, protects wild animals, birds, and plants as well as everything related to, incidental to, or associated with those things. India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which mandates the implementation of suitable enforcement measures.

The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021, seeks to amend the Act’s preamble to highlight the “conservation” and “management” of wildlife that the Act addresses, as well as streamlining and clarifying the Schedules to the Act. Additionally, it suggests adding a new chapter for the effective implementation of the Convention’s provisions in India, along with measures for the management of invasive alien species and allowing the State Boards for Wildlife to establish Standing Committees. The proposed changes would improve the management of protected areas.

In order to clarify some legal activities, the amendment proposes to incorporate an explanation, such as the grazing or transportation of cattle and the legitimate use of drinking and household water by local populations, are not prohibited under section 29 of the Act. Additionally, it aims to include clauses that would improve the treatment of seized live animals and dispose of seized wildlife products and parts, as well as allow for the transfer or transportation of live elephants by a person who possesses ownership certificates under the terms set forth by the Central Government.