Relevance: GS-3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Key Phrases: Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Chief Wild Life Warden, vermin species, Conservation reserves, Invasive alien species.

Why in  News?

• The Wild Life (Protection) Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha in the 2021 during the winter session of parliament was sent to the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee of Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change for examination and report. The Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change submitted its report on the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 on April 21, 2022.

Key features of the Bill include:

• The Bill amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 by increasing the species protected under the law.
• Substituting the definition of ‘Tiger and other Endangered Species’ to ‘Wild Life’, this Bill includes flora, fauna and aqua under its protection.
• CITES:
  • The Bill also regulates wildlife trade as per the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
  • The Bill aims to implement CITES — which was signed on March 3, 1973, and later amended in 1979 — to trade plant and animal specimens with other governments, without threatening the survival of the species. Regulating the possession of specimens, the Bill defines ‘specimen’ as any animal or plant (dead or alive). It also constitutes a management authority which will issue permits for the trade of scheduled specimens by CITES.
• Obligations under CITES:
  • The Centre can designate a Management authority to grant export or import permits for the trade of specimens and scientific authority to advise on the trade impact on the survival of the specimens.
  • The Bill prohibits any person from modifying or removing the identification mark of the specimen made by the Management authority and every person possessing live specimens of scheduled animals must obtain a registration certificate.
• Rationalising schedules:
  • Currently, the Act has six schedules for specially protected plants (one), specially protected animals (four), and vermin species (one).
  • The Bill reduces the total number of schedules to four by
    1. reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two (one for greater protection level),
    2. removes the schedule for vermin species, and
    3. inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
• Classification of specimens
  • Classifying animals into two specially protected schedules, the Bill prohibits their trade by anyone, barring certain exceptions.
• Invasive alien species:
  • The Bills empower the Central Government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species
  • The Central Government may authorise an officer to seize and dispose of the invasive species.
• Conservation reserves:
  • Apart from states, the Centre too can notify a conservation reserve — an area adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries.
• Chief Wild Life Warden:
  • The Centre will appoint a Chief Wild Life Warden who processes applications for breeding in captivity or artificially propagating any scheduled specimen.
  • He/She is empowered to refuse or cancel the registration of an applicant in case of violations.
• Surrender of captive animals:
  • The Bill provides for 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.
• Penalties:
  • Under the Bill, the fine for General violation is up to Rs 1,00,000 and for specially protected animals is at least Rs 25,000.

What are the recommended changes to the Bill?

• Many wildlife conservationists expressed concern that the Bill sought ‘exception’ to the transfer of captive animals, allowing the transfer or transport of live elephants by a person having a certificate of ownership.
  • The Parliamentary Committee recommended the deletion of this exemption clause for elephants and argued that a “careful balance” between traditions and conservation was needed.
• The Committee has proposed constituting a Standing Committee of the State Board for Wild Life (SBWL), comprising of at least one-third of non-official members, at least three institutional members and the Director of the Wildlife Institute of Indiaor a nominee.
• The Committee also noted that several species were missing in all three schedules and that the Bill fails to address “human-animal conflict”.
  • The Committee has recommended a Human-Animal Conflict Advisory Committee — headed by the Chief Wild Life Warden — to suggest mitigation strategies such as changing cropping patterns and drawing up site-specific plans.

Conclusion:

• The principal legislation that governs conservation throughout the nation requires a thoughtful and inclusive approach.
• Inputs by researchers, conservationists, politicians, as well as locals are crucial when it comes to outlining the chief guidelines for Indian wildlife.
• The Amendments in the Bill need to be scrutinised well before going forward so that the Wildlife of the country retains utmost protection as per international norms.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. Critically examine the proposed key amendments under Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act 2021.