Regulating trade in wildlife and implementing policies governing foreign trade are critical endeavors in the global effort to preserve biodiversity and combat illegal activities that threaten ecosystems and endangered species. The wildlife trade encompasses a vast array of activities, from the legal exchange of live animals, plants, and their derivatives for various purposes such as pets, food, and traditional medicine, to the illicit trafficking of endangered species and their parts. Similarly, foreign trade policies play a pivotal role in shaping the flow of goods and services across borders, influencing economic dynamics and international relations. Effective regulation in both realms requires a delicate balance between conservation goals, economic interests, cultural practices, and enforcement capabilities. This introductory paragraph sets the stage for exploring the complex interplay between regulatory frameworks, market forces, and conservation efforts in safeguarding wildlife and managing global trade dynamics.
WILDLIFE TRADE IN INDIA
- India, renowned for its biodiversity, harbors nearly 6.5% of the world’s known wildlife species.
- Approximately 7.6% of the world’s mammals and 12.6% of the world’s birds find their habitat in India.
- The escalating illicit demand for wildlife and its products has led to a surge in wildlife crime, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.
- Wildlife trade in India encompasses a broad spectrum of products, including mongoose hair, snake skins, rhino horn, tiger and leopard claws, bones, skins, and whiskers, elephant tusks, deer antlers, turtle shells, medicinal plants, timber, and caged birds such as parakeets, mynas, and munias.
- A significant portion of India’s wildlife trade caters to the international market, with limited direct demand within the country.
- India holds a prominent position in global wildlife trafficking, ranking among the top 20 countries for overall wildlife trafficking and in the top 10 specifically for wildlife trafficking by air.
World Wildlife Report 2020 Findings:
- The World Wildlife Report 2020, conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, revealed that between 1999 and 2018, authorities globally seized specimens from 6,000 different species of flora and fauna, emphasizing the widespread and concerning nature of wildlife trafficking on a global scale.
The central government has recently implemented the Wild Life (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024. These amendments, which come into effect on January 16, 2024, bring substantial changes to the licensing procedures and entail the exclusion of specific species. This marks the initial revision since 1983 in the wildlife trade rules.
WILDLIFE LICENSING RULE 2024
- WildLife Licensing Rules 2024 introduce significant changes in the licensing process for the trade of wild animals.Â
- The rules, originally published in 1983, specified that no license could be granted for trading in a wild animal listed in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, without the previous consultation of the central government.Â
- The new guidelines modify this condition, stating that no license shall be granted if it pertains to any wild animal specified in Schedule I to the Act, except with the previous consultation of the Central Government.Â
- This maintains restrictions on Schedule I species, including highly protected animals like tigers, elephants, rhinos, etc., with a provision for consultation.
- In terms of Schedule II species, a significant change in the new guidelines is the removal of licensing restrictions.Â
- Unlike the previous requirement for consultation or approval from the central government, licenses for trading in Schedule II species can now be granted without such involvement.
- The new rules also outline specific factors that authorized officers must consider when granting licenses.Â
- These factors include the capacity of the applicant, the source and manner of obtaining supplies, the number of existing licenses in the area, and the potential impact on the hunting or trade of the concerned wild animals.
CONCERNS REGARDING NEW RULES
Exclusion of Schedule II Species:
- The notification lacks clarity on the rationale behind removing licensing restrictions for Schedule II species.
- Schedule II includes critical species like endangered mammals, birds, turtles, geckos, and snakes. The exclusion of these species from licensing restrictions raises concerns about the level of protection they will receive.
- The lack of explicit reasons requires further scrutiny to ensure that the revised rules adequately address conservation needs and do not inadvertently compromise the protection of vulnerable wildlife.
Rationalization of Schedules in 2022:
- The schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 underwent rationalization in The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, leading to changes in species categorization.
- Pre-2022, schedules were based on the level of endangerment of species. The recent rationalization may have altered the criteria for categorizing species.
- Experts question whether the exclusion of certain species in Schedule II aligns with the rationalization process and whether those species have indeed increased in numbers, justifying a lower level of protection.
FAQs: REGULATING TRADE OF WILDLIFE
1. Why is India considered significant in terms of biodiversity?
A: India is renowned for its biodiversity, hosting nearly 6.5% of the world’s known wildlife species, with approximately 7.6% of mammals and 12.6% of birds worldwide finding their habitat in the country.
2. What factors contribute to the rise in wildlife crime in India?
A: The escalating illicit demand for wildlife and its products globally has resulted in a surge in wildlife crime, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.
3. What are the diverse products involved in wildlife trade in India?
A: Wildlife trade in India covers a wide range of products, including mongoose hair, snake skins, rhino horn, tiger and leopard claws, bones, skins, and whiskers, elephant tusks, deer antlers, turtle shells, medicinal plants, timber, and caged birds such as parakeets, mynas, and munias.
4. Is India a major player in global wildlife trafficking, and how does it rank?
A: India holds a prominent position in global wildlife trafficking, ranking among the top 20 countries for overall wildlife trafficking and in the top 10 specifically for wildlife trafficking by air.
5. What were the key findings of the World Wildlife Report 2020 regarding wildlife trafficking?
A: According to the World Wildlife Report 2020 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, authorities globally seized specimens from 6,000 different species of flora and fauna between 1999 and 2018, highlighting the widespread nature of wildlife trafficking on a global scale.
6. What significant changes have been introduced through the Wild Life (Protection) Licensing Rules, 2024?
A: The Wild Life (Protection) Licensing Rules, 2024, bring substantial changes to the licensing process for the trade of wild animals in India. These changes include amendments to licensing restrictions for Schedule I and the removal of restrictions for Schedule II species.
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