National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau finally given legal go-ahead - 17th of September 2006
As of September 4th, India has the legal go-ahead to create its long-awaited National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Previously, the national tiger authority, which is called Project Tiger and sits within the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), had no statutory sway over state governments and their management of India’s 27 tiger reserves. Furthermore, Project Tiger lacked legal authority to go after criminals supplying the illegal trade in tiger skins, bones and other body parts.
Thanks to Parliament's approval of an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), MoEF now has both mandate and authority to influence tiger conservation efforts at the state level - where they really matter. It is hoped that the companion wildlife crime agency will be equipped with the professional expertise, tools and power to investigate and prosecute crimes against tigers. In addition, the amendment increases penalties for tiger poaching to seven years in jail and fines of up to US$4,000 for a first offense and at least seven years imprisonment and fines as high as US$100,000 for subsequent convictions.
Parliament's vote on the Tribal Bill, which tiger advocates feared would pillage the heart of tiger reserves, has been postponed (http://www.indianexpress.com/story/10554.html). However, "tribal friendly" changes to the WPA amendment (http://www.indianexpress.com/story/11532.html) "will address the livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding tiger reserves," according to a press release from the Government of India (http://pib.nic.in/release/rel_print_page.asp?relid=20509).
Likewise, core and buffer areas reportedly have been defined in a manner that safeguards the interests of tribes and forest dwellers.
While conservationists regard the WPA amendment as good news, the reality on the ground for tigers in India is likely to remain the same until these new agencies are actually formed, housed, staffed and made operational.
This fact was underscored on the early morning of September 10, when poachers shot an adult tiger in a forest near Corbett National Park as they hid by a river bank waiting for game (http://www.indianexpress.com/story/12564.html). The large male tiger managed to severely maul one of the three poachers before it died from bullet wounds to its head.
This was the fifth tiger killed on the outskirts of the flagship tiger reserve since October 2005. Apparently central government orders for park and forest personnel to coordinate their anti-poaching patrols resulted in a turf war that left tigers with little protection instead of redoubled protection (http://www.indianexpress.com/story/12629.html).
"Lack of vigilance has led to poaching and there is no excuse for it," Project Tiger Director Rajesh Gopal is quoted as saying in The Indian Express.
This may be one of many turf wars that ignite as India’s newly empowered central tiger authority attempts to lead multiple jurisdictions and disciplines into concerted action to protect tigers from what seems to be a steady onslaught of poaching. However, the logistical and political labyrinth ahead should not prevent appreciation of this much-needed moment for optimism."
From Campaign Against Tiger Trafficking (CATT):
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