Human Animal conflict

Human Animal conflict

Subject: Environment

Section: Acts and Policies

Context: A latest report by a parliamentary standing committee that analysed the amendments proposed to India’s Wildlife Protection Act 1972 by the union government has said that human-animal conflict is a complex issue and needs legislative backing.

Concept:

• In India, every year hundreds of people and animals die due to human-animal conflict.
• So, Parliament’s standing committee on science and technology, environment, forests and climate change recommended that state governments constitute human-animal conflict management advisory committees for planning, monitoring and mitigation of such cases.
• It further asked the union environment ministry to consider inserting a section for the constitution of a human-animal conflict management advisory committee with the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state as its chairperson, and an officer of the state police department (not below the rank of an Inspector General in charge of Law & Order) as its vice-chairperson.
• It suggested the inclusion of two eminent wildlife ecologists with specific expertise in human-wildlife conflict solutions, a wildlife veterinarian with specific expertise in chemical immobilisation and translocation of conflict-prone species, a representative of a non-governmental organisation with experience in mitigation of human-wildlife conflict and a sociologist with experience in mitigation of human-animal conflict as its members.
• Further, an adaptive action plan covering all aspects including equipment, trained personnel, advice on quantum of compensation to affected people, site-specific plans including the creation of viable wildlife corridors to ensure long-term resolution of conflict, Standard Operating Procedures including prescription of scientific capture, translocation and population management techniques based on best practices to be finalized by the advisory committees.

WPA, 1972:

• It provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, management of their habitat and the regulation and control of trade in wild animals, plants and their parts and products.
• Major objectives of the 2021 amendment Bill are about ensuring international trade in wildlife is legal, sustainable and traceable by implementing CITES, protection of native Indian gene pool, improved management of protected areas, improved care for seized and surrendered wild animal, ensuring deterrence by enhancing fines, rationalisation of Schedules to the existing Act and establishing a Standing Committee of State Board for Wildlife.
• So, a Parliamentary committee recommended that mandating at least one-third of members of the standing committee of the state and national boards of wildlife as non-official members. Also, it“strongly” recommended the deletion of clause 27 in the proposed Bill which implies that the prohibition on the transfer of animals by any means won’t apply to live elephants.

To know more about WPA and CITES, refer: https://optimizeias.com/wildlife-protection-amendment-act-2021/ and CITES – Optimize IAS