DATA STORY : Wildlife Crimes in India

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‘Wildlife crime’ refers to the taking, trading (supplying, selling or trafficking), importing, exporting, processing, possessing, obtaining and consumption of wild fauna and flora, including timber and other forest products, in contravention of national or international law. Incidents of wildlife crime have come down drastically in the country in 2021, owing to the stringent measures adopted by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).

According to the data accessed by IANS, there has been a drop of 127 percent this year in comparison to 2020. As per the data available with WCCB, provided by state forest and police authorities, a total number of 281 wildlife crime cases were registered in 2021. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic too played a major role in the reduction in such incidents.

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has taken several steps to prevent illegal trafficking of endangered animals and wildlife species and to conserve the flora and fauna of the country.

This data story aims to highlight the wildlife crimes over the years and the killing of tigers and leopards.