Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2021
Source : Indian Express
GS II : Biodiversity & Environment
What is discussed under Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2021 ?
- About the Order
- How it helps
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).
Key Facts
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021
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- The Act regulates the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.
- The Bill 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 Bill amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, the management of their habitats, and the regulation and control of trade in wild animals, plants and products made from them.
- The Act also lists schedules of plants and animals that are afforded various degrees of protection and monitoring by the government.
- The Act has been amended several times, with the last amendment having been made in 2006.
Key features of the Bill
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- The Bill seeks to implement these provisions of CITES.
- The Bill reduces the total number of schedules to four by:
- Reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two (one for greater protection level)
- Removes the schedule for vermin species
- Inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
Photo by redcharlie on Unsplash
- Bill provides for the central government to designate a
- Management Authority, which grants export or import permits for trade of specimens
- Scientific Authority, which gives advice on aspects related to impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.
- The Bill prohibits any person from modifying or removing the identification mark of the specimen.
- Bills empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species.
- The Act entrusts the Chief Wild Life Warden to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state.
- The Chief Wild Life 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.
- Under the Act, 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 provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wild Life Warden.
Penalties under the Act : The Act prescribes imprisonment terms and fines for violating the provisions of the Act. The Bill increases these fines.
| Type of Violation | 1972 Act | 2021 Bill |
| General violation | Up to Rs 25,000 | Up to Rs 1,00,000 |
| Specially protected animals | At least Rs 10,000 | At least Rs 25,000 |
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (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.
- Under CITES, plant and animal specimens are classified into three categories (Appendices) based on the threat to their extinction.
- 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.
- CITES entered into force in July 1975. Currently there are 183 Parties (include countries or regional economic integration organizations).
- Appendices I, II and III to the Convention are lists of species afforded different levels or types of protection from over-exploitation.
- Appendix I
- Lists contains species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
- Currently 931 species are listed.
- They are threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for instance for scientific research.
- In these exceptional cases, trade may take place provided it is authorized by the granting of both an import permit and an export permit (or re-export certificate).
- Appendix II
- Contains species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled.
- Appendix, including American ginseng, paddlefish, lions, American alligators, mahogany and many corals.
- Currently 34,419 species are listed.
- International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate.
- No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES.
- Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.
- Appendix III
- It is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.
- Examples include map turtles, walruses and Cape stag beetles. .
- Currently 147 species are listed.
- International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates.
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