Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022
WHY IN NEWS ?
Excessive number of species have been included in the new schedules of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, with no consultation or process.
What is the Objective of Bill?
Protection of Endangered Species: Bill seeks to enhance punishment for illegal Wildlife trade .
Better Management of Protected Areas: It provides for certain permitted activities like grazing or movement of livestock and Bonafide use of drinking and household water by local communities.
Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022
- It seeks to increase the species protected under the law, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
- The Act entrusts the Chief Wild Life Warden to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state. They are appointed by respective State government.
- It provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wild Life Warden.
Issues for conservation
Schedule 1- It confers the highest protection, contains about 600 species of vertebrates and hundreds of invertebrates
Schedule 2- It contains about 2,000 species with 1,134 species of birds alone.
What are the Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife Conservation?
- The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds was transferred from State to Concurrent List.
- Article 51A(g) of the Constitution states that it shall be the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests and Wildlife.
- Article 48 A in the Directive Principles of State policy, mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972:
It provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals, management of their habitat and also for the regulation and control of trade in the products derived from various parts of wild animals. Prohibition of hunting of wild animals;
- Protection and management of wildlife areas and the animals, birds and plants in these areas;
- Establishing new protected areas such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries; and
- Control of illegal wildlife trade.
SOURCE – THE HINDU
