Context

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022, which seeks to strengthen the protection of endangered species and enhance punishment for illegal wildlife trade, has been passed in Rajya Sabha by a voice vote.

Background

Wildlife Protection Act 1972:

• The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, attempts to amend the Wildlife (Protection Act (WLPA), 1972. 
• Wildlife Act 1972 preserves the country’s wild animals, birds, and plants in order to ensure ecological and environmental security.
• This act has laid down restrictions on hunting various kinds of animal species.
• It also includes provisions related to harvesting and various other ancillary matters connected thereto.

What is the need for Amendment?

• Threat of blacklisting: India has been blacklisted by CITES once before, and if a second blacklisting were to happen — then India will no longer be able to trade in important plant specimens. This would affect the livelihood of a large section of Indian society that relies heavily on this trade.
• Ambiguous listing: The rationalization needed to be done because there were many discrepancies in the schedules and they were also ambiguous.
• Non-uniform listing: Some species were listed under English names, others under scientific names, some under families, and others under orders.
• Issues in implementation: Such a categorization was very confusing for wildlife and forest officials on the ground to implement.
• Constant threats to wildlife
  • Illegal Wildlife Trade
  • Habitat Destruction
  • Human-animal conflict
  • Invasive Species
  • Climate Change, Pollution

Key provisions of the new Bill:

There were 50 amendments to the Act proposed in the Bill.

• The words "protection of wild animals, birds, and plants", mentioned under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 have been substituted with the words "conservation, protection and management of wildlife”.
  
  
• Rationalising schedules:
• Currently, the Act has six schedules for specially protected plants (one), specially protected animals (four), and vermin species (one).
• Bill reduces it to four by:
• Reducing the number of schedules for specially protected animals to two (one for greater protection level)
• Removes the schedule for vermin species
• Inserts a new schedule for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
• Obligations under CITES: The Bill authorizes the central government to designate 
• Management Authority: which grants export or import permits for the trade of specimens, and
• Scientific Authority: This gives advice on aspects related to the impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.
• It prohibits any person from modifying or removing the identification mark of the specimen.
• Every person possessing live specimens of scheduled animals must obtain a registration certificate from the Management Authority.
• Invasive alien species:
• It empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation of invasive alien species.
• Control of sanctuaries: The Present Act entrusts the Chief Wildlife Warden to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state. 
• The Chief Wildlife Warden has been appointed by the state government.
• The Bill specifies that the actions of the Chief Warden must be in accordance with the management plans for the sanctuary.
• These plans will be prepared as per the guidelines of the central government, and as approved by the Chief Warden.
• Conservation reserves:
• Under the Act, state governments may declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve, for protecting flora and fauna, and their habitat.
• The Bill empowers the central government to also notify a conservation reserve.
• Surrender of captive animals:
• The Bill provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
• No compensation will be paid to the person for surrendering such items. The surrendered items become the property of the state government.
• Penalties: Bill has increased the fines for violating the provisions of the Act.