Changes in Widlife Act approved by Cabinet

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today gave approval for making further Amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2005, pending in the Rajya Sabha, for implementing the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force which include creation of a Wildlife Crime Control Bureau under the Wild Life (Protection) Act.

The urgent recommendations of the Tiger Task Force, set up by the Prime Minister, also include strengthening of Project Tiger by giving it statutory as well as administrative powers.

''The enactment of the Bill with amendments will strengthen conservation of tigers and other endangered species of wild animals through effective combating of wildlife crimes by constituting the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau,'' Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that gave the approval.

The Bill would reinforce the ongoing initiative to conserve tigers and other endangered species of wild animals in the wake of threats and need for viable habitat, he said.

''It will also address the growing concern of public in saving the tiger.'' The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has several provisions, which include : appointment of Director and other officers (Section 3), powers to delegate (Section 5), powers of entry, search, arrest, detection, investigation, prosecution (Section 50), cognizance of offences (Section 55).

However, there is no enabling provision for constituting a body/ authority like Wild Life Crime Control Bureau to take measures for preventing and combating wildlife crimes.

The proposed amendment provides enabling legal provisions in this regard. They, interalia, envisage constitution of Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau consisting of the Director, Additional Director, three Joint Directors and such other officers as may be appointed from amongst the officers covered under sections 3 and 4 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Further, they also specify the following powers and functions of the Wild Life Crime Control Bureau: to take measures with respect to collection and collation of intelligence related to wildlife crime, its dissemination to States and other enforcement agencies for immediate action and to establish centralised wildlife crime data base.

Other functions include co-ordination of actions by various officers, State Governments and other authorities in connection with enforcement of the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 either directly or through regional and border units set up by the Bureau; implementation of obligations under various international conventions and protocols in force and assistance to concerned authorities in foreign countries and international organizations for facilitating universal action towards wildlife crime control.

Besides developing infrastructure and capacity building for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes; assisting State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes; advising the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications and suggesting changes required in relevant policy and laws from time to time are also envisaged among the functions and poweres of the Bureau.

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