Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 | 04 Aug 2022

Why in News?

Recently, Lok Sabha passed by voice vote the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 that seeks to provide for implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

What is the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021?

• About:
  • It was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 17^th December 2021.
  • It seeks to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • The Bill seeks to increase the species protected under the law and implement the CITES.
• Features:
  • CITES:
    • CITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
    • The Convention 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.
    • Authority:
      • The Bill provides for the central government to designate a:
        • Management Authority, which grants export or import permits for trade of specimens.
          • Every person engaging in trade of a scheduled specimen must report the details of the transaction to the Management Authority.
          • The Bill prohibits any person from modifying or removing the identification mark of the specimen.
        • Scientific Authority, which gives advice on aspects related to impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
    • 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:
        • Schedule I for species that will enjoy the highest level of protection.
        • Schedule II for species that will be subject to a lesser degree of protection.
        • Schedule III that covers plants.
        • It removes the schedule for vermin species.
          • Vermin refers to small animals that carry diseases and destroy food.
        • It inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
  • Invasive Alien Species:
    • It 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 which are not native to India and whose introduction may adversely impact wildlife or its habitat.
    • The central government may authorize an officer to seize and dispose of the invasive species.
  • Control of Sanctuaries:
    • The Act entrusts the Chief Wildlife Warden to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state.
    • The Chief Wildlife Warden is appointed by the state government.
      • The Bill specifies that actions of the Chief Warden must be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary.
        • These plans will be prepared as per guidelines of the central government, and as approved by the Chief Warden.
        • For sanctuaries falling under special areas, the management plan must be prepared after due consultation with the Gram Sabha concerned.
        • Special areas include a Scheduled Area or areas where the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is applicable.
        • Scheduled Areas are economically backward areas with a predominantly tribal population, notified under the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.
  • Conservation Reserve:
    • 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.
  • Penalties:
    • The WPA Act 1972 prescribes imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act.
      • The Bill increases these fines.

Source: IE