News Highlight
Lok Sabha passed the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill-2021 which seeks to provide for the implementation of CITES.
Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill-2021
Background
- The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2021.
- It seeks to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The Act regulates the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.
- The Bill seeks to increase the number of species protected under the law, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Key Features of the Bill
- Obligations under CITES:
- CITES requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through permits. It also seeks to regulate the possession of live animal specimens.
- The Bill seeks to implement these provisions of CITES.
- To designate authorities under CITES obligations
- The Bill provides for the central government to designate a:
- Management Authority, which grants export or import permits for the trade of specimens
- Scientific Authority, which advices on aspects related to impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.
- The Bill provides for the central government to designate a:
- CITES requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through permits. It also seeks to regulate the possession of live animal specimens.
- Rationalising schedules:
- Currently, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has six schedules for specially protected plants (one), specially protected animals (four), and vermin species (one).
- Vermin refers to small animals that carry disease and destroy food.
- The Bill reduces the total number of schedules to four by
- Reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two (one for greater protection level)
- Removes the schedule for vermin species
- Inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
- Currently, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has six schedules for specially protected plants (one), specially protected animals (four), and vermin species (one).
- Invasive alien species:
- The Bills empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species.
- Invasive alien species refers to plant or animal species not native to India and whose introduction may adversely impact wildlife or its habitat.
- Control of sanctuaries:
- The Act entrusts the Chief Wild Life Warden appointed by the state government to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state.
- The Bill specifies that the Chief Warden’s actions must follow the sanctuary’s management plans.
- These plans will be prepared as per the central government’s guidelines and approved by the Chief Warden.
- For sanctuaries falling under special areas (Scheduled areas or areas where the Forest Rights Act, 2006 is applicable), the management plan must be prepared after consultation with the Gram Sabha.
- Conservation reserves:
- Under the Act, state governments may declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve for protecting flora and fauna and their habitat.
- The Bill empowers the central government to also notify a conservation reserve.
- Surrender of captive animals:
- The Bill allows any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wild Life Warden.
- No compensation will be paid to the person for surrendering such items.
- The surrendered items become the property of the state government.
- The Bill allows any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wild Life Warden.
- Penalties:
- The Act prescribes imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act. The Bill increases these fines.
Pic Courtesy: freepik
Content Source: The Hindu