Trading in wildlife articles is the third largest trade in the world. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has seized wildlife articles in ‘Wildnet’ operations in Noida conducted recently.
The seized articles include 25 Hatha Jodi, 25 Siyar Singhi, 24 Sea Fan, 1 Trochus, 6 Lambis shell, 91 black cowrie, 130 white cowrie, 27 sea-shells, all protected under various Schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act.
One person has also been arrested in Noida. A case has been registered under section 9, 39, 48A, 49B and 50 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 by Dadri Range under Noida Forest Division of Uttar Pradesh.
Among the seized wildlife articles, Hatha Jodi is the dried male reproductive organ of Monitor Lizard, covered under Schedule 1 Part II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Siyar Singhi, a part of the Jackal is covered under Schedule-II Part-II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, Indrajal (Sea Fan) is covered under Schedule I part III, Trochus is covered under the Schedule-IV, Lambis shell and other sea shells seized are covered under the Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Such illegal trade in parts of wildlife can result in imprisonment from three to seven years and a fine of Rs. 10,000 for the first offence and imprisonment, of not less than three years extendable to seven years and a fine of Rs. 25,000 for any subsequent offence.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:
The Government of India constituted a statutory body, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) on 6 June 2007, by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, a special Act to protect the wildlife in the country.
WCCB would complement the efforts of the state governments, primary enforcers of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and other enforcement agencies of the country.
WCCCB won the prestigious 2010 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards for its outstanding work on wildlife law enforcement in the country, which was received by Ramesh K Pandey, Deputy Director, on behalf of WCCB.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country. The Bureau has its headquarter in New Delhi and five regional offices at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Jabalpur; three sub-regional offices at Guwahati, Amritsar and Cochin; and five border units at Ramanathapuram, Gorakhpur, Motihari, Nathula and Moreh.
Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated to collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals; to establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank; co-ordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act; assist foreign authorities and international organization concerned to facilitate co-ordination and universal action for wildlife crime control; capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes; and advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.
It also assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.
WCCB is also partnering with United Nations University and CIESIN-Earth Institute at Columbia University through the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System Initiative.
