Highlights of Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2013

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by Dharmendra Kapri | 02-01-2014 20:27 recommendations 0

The Government has introduced the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2013 in the Rajya Sabha for stricter enforcement of laws to protect wildlife. The bill seeks to further amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Highlights of the Bill

The Bill seeks to further amend the Wildlife Protection Act.

The Bill seeks to confer power of entry, search, arrest and detention on any officer authorised by the Management Authority or any customs officer not below the rank of an inspector or any officer of the coast guard not below the rank of an Assistant Commandant.

It provides for prohibition on use of animal traps except under certain circumstances.It provides for protection of hunting rights of the Scheduled Tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Bill seeks to deal with the serious wildlife crime, such as the offence related to any animal specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II or the meat of such animal or animal article, trophy, or uncured trophy derived from such animal. If a crime of this sort is committed, the bill seeks to punish the culprits with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years, but may extend to seven years and also with fine which shall not be less than 1 lakh rupees but may extend to 25 lakh rupees.

The bill also has the provisions for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

In the case of a second or subsequent offence of the same nature, the terms of imprisonment shall not be less than 7 years and also with fine which shall not be less than 5 lakh rupees but may extend to 50 lakh rupees.

Activists have for long demanded stringent penalties for poaching but ground realities call for better implementation and higher conviction rates in the absence of which poaching will continue to thrive. If the criminals knows he will get away, they will be ready to tough it out and the cycle continues. The problem with stringent penalties is that the judiciary needs more evidence to grant stricter punishment. The primary issue here is to increase conviction rates and implement the provisions of the act. Inclusion of provisions of CITES and Gram Sabha consultation is a positive step.

Reference and further reading

PRS India

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Dormant user Dharmendra Kapri

8 Comments

says :
lets all save & protect wildlife with or without binding by law.
Posted 08-01-2014 18:50

says :
I hope this act will some some positive ways for the protection of wildlife.
Posted 07-01-2014 14:28

Rohan Kapur says :
THe govt is taking positive steps for sure. All the best.
Posted 05-01-2014 14:31

says :
Awesome article it was very informative.
Posted 03-01-2014 22:12

says :
GOod to hear this thanks for the info
Posted 03-01-2014 19:45

says :
Good news! But removing the fundamental reasons of decreasing wildlife is much more important like fight to deforestation, destroy black markets trading wildlife...
Posted 03-01-2014 08:40