Indian Government takes important steps for conservation of wildlife: MoEF

Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh has said that Government has taken a multiple of steps to protect & conserve the wildlife in India. 

There are no specific reports of decline in population of major species like tiger, rhinoceros, elephants, and lions. As per last All India tiger estimation done in 2008, the population of the tigers in the country (excluding Sunderbans) was 1411 (mid value); the lower and upper limits being 1165 and 1657 respectively. This estimation is not comparable to earlier estimates, as previously different methodology was used for estimation. 

Important steps taken by the Government for conservation of wildlife in the country are as under: 

i. Threatened species of wildlife are placed in various Schedules of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby according these species adequate protection. 

ii. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended from time to time and made more stringent against wildlife related offences. 

iii. A network of Protected Areas has been established to protect and conserve wildlife including rare animals and their habitats. 

iv. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up as a multi-disciplinary agency to deal with wildlife crimes having inter-state, cross- border and international ramifications.