Illegal wildlife trafficking in India has escalated over the past few years, stirring up concerns on biodiversity and ecosystem balance. As per statistics from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and State Forest and Police Authorities, approximately 2,054 cases were filed between 2018 and 2020 for illegal killing or trafficking of wild animals. The WCCB, a statutory multi-disciplinary organization established by the Indian Government under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, is tasked with battling organized wildlife crime in the country.
Detrimental Effects of Illegal Wildlife Trade
The illegal wildlife trade poses a severe threat to various species, pushing some towards extinction. Such unlawful practices lead to the overexploitation of wildlife resources, creating ecological imbalances. Moreover, these nefarious activities affect the nation’s economy and trigger social insecurity. Notably, wild plants, which serve as a primary source for many medicines, are also endangered by illicit trades.
Species-Specific Enforcement Operations
To combat this, the WCCB has executed several species-specific enforcement operations in collaboration with State Enforcement Agencies. These operations aim to focus on particular areas of wildlife trafficking, such as:
1. Operation Save Kurma: Concentrating on the poaching, transportation, and illegal trade of live turtles and tortoises.
2. Operation Turtshield: Addressing the unlawful trade of live turtles.
3. Operation Lesknow: Highlighting illegal wildlife trades involving lesser-known species of wildlife.
4. Operation Clean Art: Focusing on the illegal trade of mongoose hair brushes.
5. Operation Softgold: Tackling illegal trades of Shahtoosh Shawls made from Chiru wool and raising awareness within the weaving community.
6. Operation Birbil: Curbing the illegal trade of wild cat and wild bird species.
7. Operation Wildnet: Aiming to draw attention to the growing illegal wildlife trade on internet and social media platforms.
8. Operation Freefly: Designed to hinder the illegal trade of live birds.
9. Operation Wetmark: Ensuring the prohibition of wild animal meat sales in wet markets.
India’s Legal Framework for Wildlife Conservation
In India, wildlife conservation derives its legal backing from several constitutional provisions and acts like:
1. The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976: It transferred the Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds from State to Concurrent List.
2. Article 51 A (g): This states the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests and Wildlife.
3. Article 48 A: This is a directive principle of State policy, mandating that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the country’s forests and wildlife.
4. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
5. Environment Protection Act, 1986
6. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
India’s Role in Global Wildlife Conservation
India actively participates in worldwide wildlife conservation efforts by associating with international conventions and forums such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the World Heritage Convention, the Ramsar Convention, and conservation groups such as United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Furthermore, India is part of the Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC), the International Whaling Commission (IWC), and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). These organizations collectively aim to create sustainable solutions to mitigate global wildlife trafficking and ensure biodiversity conservation.
