Parliament Question: Deforestation and wildlife conservation
The protection and management of forests and wildlife is primarily the responsibility of the state governments/UT administrations. There are legal frameworks for the protection and management of the country’s forest and wildlife resources, including the Indian Forest Act 1927, the Forest (Conservation and Promotion) Adinium 1980, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the State Forest Act, the Tree Conservation Act and the Rules, etc. The State Governments/UT Administrations take appropriate steps for the protection of forest, wildlife and tree resources as per the provisions made under this Act/Rules.
According to the existing provisions of the Forest (Conservation and Felicitation) Ordinance, 1980, in 1980, the state governments and union territory administrations are required to ensure that the minimum number of trees is cut for developmental projects, besides planting the compensation required to address environmental issues. Apart from this, the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority .
Once illegal encroachments, illegal deforestation and wildlife offences are detected, action is taken against the offenders under the respective Forest Act/Wildlife Act before the competent authority.
Endangered and rare species seen in India such as tigers, elephants, snow leopards, etc., are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides them with the highest level of protection. Under the provisions of the WildLife (Protection) Act, 1972, a Protected Area (PA) network comprising national parks, sanctuaries, conservation conservation and community conservation has been created in the country to conserve and protect endangered species and biodiversity. At present, the network consists of 106 national parks, 573 wildlife sanctuaries, 123 conservation sanctuaries and 220 community reserves, covering an area of 1,78,640.69 square kilometres.
In the Northeast, 59
Apart from this, the WCCB has also issued an alert and advisory to the concerned state and central agencies to take necessary preventive measures regarding wildlife poaching and illegal trade.
Through wildlife habitats, integrated development of tiger and elephant projects, forest fire prevention and management, Green India Mission, Nagar Van Yojana and CAMPA Fund, the Ministry supports the state/UT’s targeted efforts in the areas of conservation and protection of forests and wildlife through its ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The Ministry approves plan-specific activities through the Annual Plan of Operations submitted by the States/UTs for the respective financial years.
This information was given by The Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
