Central Govt to Amend Wildlife Protection Act

Nagpur: The Central government will amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, by making some changes and seeking suggestions from states.
The amended Act will give powers to the Centre to declare areas which it deemed fit to declare them as conservation reserves. These powers were wrested with the states till now. It will also allow the states to constitute the standing committee of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) on the lines of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), which is the topmost body deciding project proposals affecting tiger reserves and sanctuaries.
The SBWL standing committee too will have similar powers. It will consist of the vice-chairperson, member-secretary and not more than 10 members to be nominated by the vice-chairperson from amongst the members of the SBWL.

At present, the SBWL is headed by chief ministers and there are more members from various departments and experts from all fields.

“The new amendment will delay decisions and meetings will not be held regularly like the NBWL which is chaired by the Prime Minister. NBWL has not met for the last 7 years,” said wildlife experts.

The amendments give SBWL or its standing committee powers to constitute committees, sub-committees or study groups as may be necessary from time to time in the proper discharge of the functions assigned to it.

Further, the words ‘Land Acquisition Act, 1894’ shall be substituted with the words ‘Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.’

The new bill allows the state government to establish such committees for conservation of wildlife and biodiversity as deemed appropriate to ensure people’s participation and eco-development and notify any rules necessary for this purpose. It also allows the establishment of foundations to ensure management and conservation of wildlife and biodiversity and notify any rules necessary for this purpose.

A new section is being added regarding the surrender of wild animals and products. Now, any person having a certificate of ownership, who is not desirous to further keep in his control, custody, or possession any wild or captive animal specified in Schedule 1 or II, or any animal article, trophy or uncured trophy or meat derived from such animal referred to the above or ivory imported into India or an article made from such ivory shall, after due notice of seven working days to the chief wildlife warden, surrender the same to him. The certificate of ownership for such articles shall stand automatically cancelled from the date of such surrender.

Any person, who comes to be in possession of a wild animal, captive animal, animal article, or trophy without committing any contravention of the provisions of this Act shall within 48 hours surrender the same to the CWLW.

Moreover, a new chapter is being added to the Act on the regulation of international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora as per the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora. The Central government shall appoint management authorities and scientific authorities with the requisite powers to carry out their functions under the CITES Convention.

Source : ToI