CHAPTER - VIII

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

Wildlife conservation includes all human efforts to

preserve wild animals from extinction. It involves the

protection and wise management of wild species of their

environment. Some species have become extinct due to

natural activities. The progress of man throughout has been

beneficial for the human race but it is the wildlife that has

suffered through the years. Inventions of sophisticated

weapons, industrialization, urbanisation, and even

increasing human population have been some of the major

causes for dwindling of our rich resources. Hunting,

clearing of forests, drawing of swamps and damming of

rivers for irrigation and industry - this is what we appraise

of man's progress. These activities have vastly reduced the

natural habitats of our wildlife and many species are

endangered or nearly extinct.

Extinction is a 'biological reality' for no species has as

yet existed for more than a few million years without

evolving into something different, or dying out completely.

Success in evolution is measured in terms of survival and

failure by extinction. Once a species is extinct because of

natural causes or human activities, it is gone forever. It is

believed that each individual wild creature has a right to

survive without human interference, just as each human

being has the right to survive.

There are important differences between the present

mass extinction and those in the past. First, the present

mass extinctions are caused by us . Such extinction cannot

be balanced by speciation because it takes between 2,000

and 10,000 generations for new species to evolve. Second, it

is taking place in only a few decades rather than over

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several million years. Third, plant species are disappearing

as rapidly as animal species, thus threatening many animal

species that otherwise would not become extinct at this

time.

Poaching for the purpose of meat, skin, ivory, rhino

horns, musk, etc. has considerably reduced wildlife even to

the extent of annihilation of species. The majority of recent

extinctions, both in plants and animals are due to the

environment change arising from alteration, degradation or

destruction of natural habitats, deforestation, agricultural

expansion, unresisted grazing and spreading urbanisat ion.

There are many factors that necessitate the

conservation of wildlife and answer the need to protect

wildlife. Wildlife has economic importance as it provides

meat for food and skin for fur. The plants also provide food,

timber, paper, gums, resin, drugs, fibers, rubber, oils,

sugar, etc. Animals provides fur, wool, silk, leather, musk,

ivory etc.

In many cases, wildlife can be helped by ensuring that

their, environment is favourable with regard to availability

of food, water and shelter. This method is called habi ta t

management. It involves soil conservation, good forestry,

and practice and wildlife management.

Several species have been threatened with extinction

due to destruction of habitat by human activities like

deforestation for farming, pollution of air, water, land,

plants and animals etc. Excessive increase in number of one

species in a given area threatens not only its own

endurance but also that of other species by consuming

major portion of available food. Such numbers must be

reduced by controlled hunting or by restoring its na tura l

enemies where they have become scarce. Sometimes species

find it extremely difficult to survive in their own once

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favourable environment. Such species can be protected by

breeding in captivity and releasing in a protected area that

satisfies the conditions favourable for survival, i

India despite of long history of civilisation and vast

population, still have wildlife in better conditions because

the conservation is our cultural tradition. The Indian

tradition goes back to ancient period of the Vedas and has

continued throughout the history. Throughout India, edicts

carved on rocks and iron pillars remind us that Emperor

Ashoka made it a king's duty to preserve animal life and

forest trees. He was the first and perhaps the only monarch

to forbid the killing of a large number of species of animals

for sport and food.

The Indian tradition for love, respect and reverence

for nature could also be traced back to Indus valley

civilisation. The images of rhino, elephant, bull etc., found

on Indus valley seals speak of the sense of human

fascination for wildlife at that time. The most wide ranging

wildlife imagery is founding Indian miniature paintings.

Early literature like 'Panchtantra' and 'Hitopdesha' contains

animal fables that have been used to preach both wisdom

and morals. The theme of Hindus God Shri Krishna's life

depicted in miniature paintings underlines and appreciation

of ecological balance.

In more recent historical times, Mughal emperor

Babur's memories (Babur Nama), Guru Nanak's hymns or

'Baramaha' (the season) depicting each month with a

dominant bird image and Emperor Jehangir 's memoires

showing his keen interest and study in wildlife provide fine

illustrations of Indian tradition.

Rivers are worshipped with reverence as they are

considered to be the manifestation of Hindu Goddess. The

For more details see, Chapter -1

271

festival of 'Nagapanchami' snake worship is celebrated as a

thanks-giving after the harvest season. Sacred groves

maintained for purpose of worship.

'Bhisnois' are well known for the sacrifice of their

lives for the protection of wildlife and trees. This long

tradition and abiding faith in conservation of nature is alive

in recent times also.

Much of the damage to the wildlife was done during

the British Raj in India. In Madras Presidency, Collector

paid out Rs. 2 5 / - for each specimen i.e. wild animal. It was

a matter of great concern that during 18'^ and 19'^

centuries, the British rulers and some Indian rulers caused

ruthless destruction of Indian wildlife for food, recreation,

hide, horn, musk etc. and also the deforestation for the

construction of highways, railways, dams, human dwelling

and many other similar purposes.

With the advent of the British Raj, hunting for sport

gained more popularity. From the historical point of view

this era heralded the death toll of India's wildlife.

Unfortunately, during the recent turbulent history of

India, much of this tradition has been lost. The appreciation

of formal wealth in urban areas was encouraged in people

by one of the earliest documentation on the birds of Delhi

by British Officer, Major general Hutson and published in

1854.2

The 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976

moved wildlife and forests form the State List of

Constitution to the Concurrent list. Art. 48A was added to

the Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 51-A(g) in a

new Chapter entitled 'fundamental duties ' imposes a similar

responsibility on every citizen. India is the first country

For more details see, Chapter II

272

which has made provisions for the protection and

improvement of wildlife in its Constitution.

There is an international concern also for the

protection of wild birds and animals. There are many

Conventions signed by various countries to protect wildlife

such as the International Convention for Protection of

Birds, 1950; Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973;

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild

Animals, 1979.3

To sum up the long history of wildlife we know that

the earliest codified law on wildlife can be traced to third

century B.C. when Ashoka, the king of Magadha, enacted a

law in the matter of preservation of wildlife and

environment. The first codified law, for wildlife protection

was the Wild Birds and Game Protection Act, 1887, which

hauled the era of laws. In the field of wildlife protection

early legislations were limited to specific areas and

particular species. Like the Madras Elephants Preservation

Act, 1873. The first effort by Central Government came six

years later with the passing of the Elephant Preservation

Act, 1879. The Wild Birds and Game Protection Act, 1887,

were broadened into the Wild Birds and Animals Protection

Act, 1912.

The first comprehensive legislation related to the

protection of wildlife passed by the Parliament was the

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. There are some provisions

under other laws also like Indian Penal Code, 1860, (Ss. 47,

289, 428 and 429), the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, I960.'*

3 For more details see, Chapter III 4 For more details see, Chapter IV.

273

The judiciary is the custodian of the rights of the

citizens and if the citizen's right guaranteed under the

Constitution of India is violated the court can use its power

to grant in the form of damages or compensation. The

judiciary plays an important role in dealing with the wildlife

cases.5

However, the truth is that the judicial convictions

relating to wildlife cases are very low. A designated court of

Delhi has more than 250 cases for wildlife. All this has

resulted because of poor application of law by enforcement

agencies, lack of sensitization on wildlife issues for the trial

court magistrates and absence of aggressive enforcement

strategies in the courts by the forest department officials.

A proposal for setting up of a Wildlife Crime Control

Bureau is languishing with Union Ministry of Environment

and Forest since 1995. This proposal should come into force

as soon as possible. It is therefore, concluded tha t the

judiciary must participate actively for the preservation and

conservation of wildlife. The criminals must be punished

despite their powerful backgrounds, before it is too late.

There are some questions which need to be answered.

Like, can we check poaching? Can the Salman Khans and

Pataudis be stopped from killing the fast-depleting prey

base of the tiger? Can we manage our parks and forests

better? Every time there is a wildlife crisis, there is a hue

and cry, expert committees are appointed to look into the

issue and after a few months it is back to the square one.

The frontline forest staff is not trained to deal with

poachers moving with guns. Another major problem facing

all the National Parks is the move to give forest lands back

to tribals. It is all very well to say let people protect their

own forests. It may, in fact, be happening in a few isolated

For more details, see Chapter V.

274

pockets like Daharm in Maharashtra, but we can' t save

tigers while having tribals in the same space. There would

be an overlap of prey and predator.

It is a fact that forest dwellers hunt and use forests

products for their survival while the Salman Khans and

Pataudis and the forest contractors kill/destroy for pleasure

and out of greed for some green bucks. They are definitely

greater criminals than the poor who kill out of a need.

Salman Khan and Nawab of Pataudi, Late Mansoor Ali

Khan appears to be only bit players in the horrifying

poaching play which has been going on ruthlessly. There

are, however, also culprits far worse than them. Now that

the police have taken up cudgels, skeletons - actually,

animal carcasses and skins in this case - are coming out of

many cupboards. The most gratifying is the arrest of

notorious poacher Sansar Chand, who was rightly dubbed

by Rajasthan court as the 'Veerappan of North." He has

been buying and selling wildlife products for 35 years. In

the process he nearly deprived the Sariska Forest Reserve in

Rajasthan of its tigers.

He was arrested earlier also and was the first wildlife

trader to be sentenced to five years ' imprisonment under the

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In May 2004, he was

released on parole by the Rajasthan High Court, but he

went underground. Interestingly, his entire family is said to

be in the trade. Wife Rani and son Akash were arrested last

October for poaching. Now he has been granted bail

recently.

One reason why he could play hide and seek with the

law for so long was that he had links with senior

bureaucrats and politicians. It will be necessary to identify

all such invisible backers. Nor is the Sansar Chand the only

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one to wipe out endangered animals. There are many more

like him.

Despite talks of setting up a National Wildlife

Preservation and Control Bureau, on the line of CBl, to

gather intelligence and stop poaching and illegal trade of

wildlife in the country, the government has not yet been

able to put in place an organisation that can control this

trade.

Clearly, while existing enforcement agencies are not

tackling the issue properly, the district level courts - where

such cases are taken up - are not taking wildlife crime

seriously. Till the infamous Salman Khan black buck case

happened in 1998, there was hardly any focus on media

attention on wildlife crime. There is, however, still not

enough sensitization of the judiciary at the district level.

Cases concerning wildlife and poaching are treated like any

other crime, such as pick-pocketing or minor theft.

To conserve the entire range of bio-diversity in-situ,

the State of Himachal Pradesh has established a network of

protected areas, comprising two National Parks and 32

Wildlife Sanctuaries. The State of Himachal Pradesh has

adopted the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and its

subsequent amendments as the basic legislation to manage

and guide wildlife related matters in the State.

There is a list of thirty forms in which compensation

is being granted to the people of Himachal Pradesh for the

loss of either human life or the domesticated animals. Many

activities are being carried in the Pradesh for wildlife

preservation.

The State Government has decided to keep only the

local species of animals and birds in the Nature Parks. The

State Government has decided to have a network of Nature

Parks where the wild animals will be kept in large open

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enclosures in their near to natural conditions. Wildlife

management is also being done in the State. During the

year 2001-02 wildlife preservation has been introduced in

place of wildlife management and nature conservation.

There are State and Central Sector schemes. Some of the

rare species are being kept in various breeding centers and

have been bred successfully. Captive breeding programmes

are being carried out in the State.^

An empirical study conducted on the three districts,

i.e. Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur showed that there are many

factors responsible for the dwindling populations of wildlife

in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Mainly lack of education,

man- animal conflict, lack of awareness, unregulated

tourism, untrained wildlife staff, lack of infrastructural

facilities, etc. are some of the major factors which have

been discussed in details.'^

The Government of India has enacted various acts to

conserve the forests and wildlife. Wildlife conservation

strategy adopted by the Indian Board for Wildlife in 2002

are-

1. Wildlife and forests shall be declared priority sector at

the national level for which funds should be

earmarked.

2. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that those

engaged in poaching, illicit trade in wildlife and

wildlife products, destruction of their habitat, and

such other illegal activities are given quick and

deterrent punishment.

3. We should fully tap the potential in wildlife tourism

and at the same time take care that it does not have

6 For more details, see Chapter VI. 7 For more details, see Chapter VII.

277

adverse impact in wildlife and protected areas . The

revenue earned from increased tourism should be used

entirely to augment available resources for

conservation.

Protecting interests of the poor and tribals living

around protected areas should be handled with

sensitivity and with maximum participation of the

affected people. They should have access to the minor

forest produce, in the forest outside of national parks

and sanctuaries .Employment and means generation

for these people is crucial for maintaining symbiosis

between the forests, wildlife and the people. People

should be encouraged to take up afforestation and

conservation in new areas.

While strengthening protective measures against

traditional threats to wildlife, we should also respond

to newer threats such as toxic chemicals and

pesticides.

There should be greater governmental as well as

societal recognition and support for the many non­

governmental organisations engaged in wildlife

conservation. Mainstream media to better highlight

their activities as also successes of governmental

initiatives that have worked.

Creatively produced Television Programmes on wildlife

and ecology are widely appreciated by young and old

as seen from the popularity of dedicated T.V. channels

like, Discovery, National Geographic and Animal

Planet. It is proposed that Prasar Bharati and our

private channels along with agencies like WWF for

Nature should collaborate and increase original Indian

content in different languages on our television.

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8. No diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes

from critical and ecologically fragile wildlife habitat

shall be allowed.

9. Lands falling within 10 km. of the boundaries of

National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as

eco-fragile zones under section 3(v) of the Environment

( Protection ) Act and Rule 5 Sub-rule 5(viii) 86 (x) of

the Environment ( Protection ) Rules.

10. Removal of encroachments and illegal activities from

within forest lands and Protected Areas.

11. No commercial mono-culture to replace natural forests.

12. The settlement of rights in National Parks and

Sanctuaries should not be used to exclude or reduce

the areas that are crucial and integral part of the

wildlife habitat.

13. More than 2000 vacant posts in the frontline staff of

Protected Areas shall be filled immediately and

provided basic infrastructure for efficient discharge of

duties. Ban on recruitment of staff against vacant post

should be lifted on lines with the Police Department.

Innovative initiative such as redeployment of surplus

employees in other departments, hiring local people on

voluntary or honorarium basis, raising donations from

business houses and other members of the public in

return for a greater role for them in implementing

programmes need to be explored.

14. Every protected area should be managed by forest

officers trained in wildlife management.

15. Mitigation measures for human-animal conflict and

mechanism for crop insurance as also expeditious

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d i sbur semen t s of ex-grat ia payments , should be

ins t i tu ted by S ta tes .

16. Forest Commission should be se t -up to look into

res t ruc tu r ing , reform and s t rengthening the ent i re

forest set up and affiliated ins t i tu t ions in the count ry .

17. A working group shall be cons t i tu ted to moni tor

implementat ion of Wildlife Action Plan.

18. Most important ly let u s all resolve tha t we should end

the relative neglect of wildlife conservat ion in recent

years . To begin with Board should meet more often.

Wildlife conservat ion is too impor tan t a t a sk to be

t rea ted lightly or ri tualist ically.^

Suggest ions

Therefore, in view of the above observat ions , the

following suggest ions deserve for considerat ion to protect

the wildlife:

(1) The wildlife should be protected in na tu ra l h a b i t a t s a s

well as in artificial h a b i t a t s unde r h u m a n control ,

such as zoological pa rks and botanical garden.

(2) The th rea tened species should be given preference over

others in the conservat ion programmes . Among these ,

the endangered should be given priority over the

vulnerable species and the later over the rare species .

(3) Egg pulling and Captive breeding in Zoos and resea rch

centers should be encouraged. Egg pull ing involves

collecting eggs produced in the wild by the remain ing

breeding pai rs of critically endangered bird species

and ha tch ing them in zoos or research cen te r s .

Removing these eggs sometimes causes pa ren t s to nes t

again and lay more eggs increas ing the number of eggs

tha t can be ha tched in wild and in captivity. For

8 See, http://envfor.nic.in/pt/str2002.html

280

captive breeding some or all of the ind iv idua ls of a

critically endangered species still in the wild are

cap tured and placed in the zoo or resea rch c e n t e r s to

breed in captivity.

(4) The life suppor t ing sys tems - air, water , land - shou ld

be properly managed and conserved. The wate r holes

and s t ream sides should be managed and g u a r d e d

carefully for the benefit of wildlife. Where n a t u r a l

salted clay is not available, some artificial sa l t - l icks

are to be provided in the s a n c t u a r i e s .

(5) Grazing by livestock is to be prevented b e c a u s e they

are responsible for t r ansmi t t i ng d i seases like foot and

mouth disease , an th rax , sleeping s ickness e tc . All

variet ies of useful p l an t s and an imals shou ld be

preserved in protected a reas along with the i r wild

relat ives. The hab i t a t s of wild relat ives of useful p l a n t s

and animals should be preserved in protected a r e a s .

(6) The eco-system ra the r t h a n a single species shou ld be

preserved. The species and ecosystem should no t be

exploited beyond productive capac i t ies .

(7) In terna t ional t rade in wild p l an t s and a n i m a l s and

their p roduc t s should be regula ted by law. All illegal

trafficking of wild an ima l s , ar t ic les and p r o d u c e

should be brought to the similar l ines with t h a t of

illegal drug trafficking and p u n i s h m e n t should be as

de ter ren t as in drug trafficking.

(8) The officials in charge of the wild life protect ion s h o u l d

be accountable for any offence aga ins t wild a n i m a l s in

National pa rks , Sanc tua r i e s , zoos or any o ther capt ive

breeding cen te rs .

(9) Protected a reas should be se t -up to p rese rve the

hab i t a t s of migratory an imals , inc luding those coming

from the other count r ies . National Pa rks and

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Sanctuaries should be set up to protect wildlife and to

ensure multiplication.

(10) Hunting should be regulated. Only licensed persons

should be permitted to shoot animals. Hunting should

be disallowed during breeding season.

(11) People should be educated about the need and mode of

conservation of wildlife. Children should be inspired to

love animals. Educating people on the Wildlife

Protection act, 1972 during legal literacy camps will

help upto some extent to curb this heinous crime in

our country. Arrangements should be made for audio­

visual education of villagers, living near the forests, to

explain to them the value of conservation and other

components of nature.

(12) Laws should be passed to protect the endangered

species and severe punishments should be given to

those hunters who indulge in their illegal and

senseless killings. While Indian wildlife laws are very

powerful, they need to be enforced properly along with

legal empowerment of field staff and sensitization of

the local judiciary.

Those arrested in wildlife crimes should be tried

and convicted speedily. Wildlife crimes need special

courts. Decisions on cases brought to the court take

too long to be delivered, and offenders are often let off

on technicalities. More importantly, wildlife traders

receive bail within a day or two of the seizures, leaving

them active in the trade till the final hearing which

generally comes after a decade or so.

(13) People living in jungle should be involved to protect

wild life, so that they become protectors of tigers. Most

protected areas have seen a history of man- animal

conflict in India.

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(14) Wildlife Crime Organisation should be set up,

comprising young volunteers to track crime, manage

databases and follow through investigation on the

pattern of narcotics bureau.

(15) Training of Forest and police officers in the

investigation of wildlife cases is the sine qua non of an

effective enforcement. Many officers are not even aware

of important aspects like preservation of crime scene,

forensic examination, identification of fakes, etc. Some

efforts have been made in this direction in CBI where

officers have been trained.

(16) Some incentive schemes should also be formulated to

recognise the commendable work by officers and

informers. Attractive monetary incentives to be offered

to the person helping in apprehending the poachers.

(17) There should be regulated tourism. Tourism has now

become one of the important activities of national

parks and sanctuaries. But many of the national parks

have started to receive heavy influx of different

categories of tourists and obviously that is beyond

their carrying capacity. The ever increasing number of

visitors to protected areas has been causing great

damage to the fragile ecological system of wildlife

areas. Measures should be taken to encourage only a

specific class of tourist who is a natural is t and

wildlife- lover in the real sense.

(18) The state government should be more responsible and

should take a front step to protect the wildlife in the

state.

(19) Research and researchers should be encouraged. More

and more people should be involved in studying the

various aspects and laws related to wildlife protection.

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(20) Steps should be taken to protect the bio-diversity as a

whole. Environmental deterioration of all kinds should

be removed, reduced, minimized or prevented.

These are the few suggestions on how we can protect

our wildlife. Some of the poachers have also turned to

animals saviours at Manas. Budheswar Boro used to roam

the grasslands hunting wildlife, including rhinos, elephants

and a tiger. He still roams the park with a gun but for a

cause. Like Boro, there are a dozen others who guard the

park in their changed role as wildlife custodians.

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