- Context: Based on the editorial “Living with animals – the challenges and the solution” published in The Indian Express.
- Announcement: PM announced a center for managing human-wildlife conflict. (Press Information Bureau (PIB) release or official government announcement.)
Importance of Wildlife Conservation
- Ecological Balance:
- Wildlife maintains ecosystem stability and biodiversity.
- Loss of keystone species disrupts food chains. (Reports by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).)
- Resource Management:
- Wildlife helps regulate water cycles and prevents desertification.
- Example: Blackbucks aid in seed dispersal for Khejri trees.
- Economic Benefits:
- Wildlife tourism generates significant revenue and employment.
- Example: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve’s revenue increased from ₹45 crore to ₹60 crore. (Reports by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA))
- Health Security:
- Conservation reduces zoonotic disease risks.
- Example: Nipah virus outbreak linked to habitat destruction. (World Health Organization (WHO) and studies on zoonotic diseases like Nipah virus)
- Agricultural Support:
- Wildlife assists in pollination and pest control.
- Declining vultures have increased stray dog populations. (Studies by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and MoEFCC.)
- Legal and Global Commitments:
- Aligns with constitutional duties and international agreements like CITES.
Key Issues in Wildlife Protection
- Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC):
- Urbanization and habitat fragmentation increase conflicts.
- Over 300 lions in Gujarat live outside protected areas, leading to conflicts. (Reports by WII and MoEFCC on human-wildlife conflict in India.)
- Habitat Management:
- Policies focus on population numbers, neglecting habitat and resource availability.
- Relocation Challenges:
- Political interests often override scientific recommendations in wildlife translocation.
- Climate Change Impact:
- Alters migration patterns and degrades habitats, threatening biodiversity. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports and WII studies.)
- Inadequate Corridors:
- Protected areas are isolated, disrupting animal movement and genetic exchange. (Reports by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and MoEFCC.)
- Funding and Resource Issues:
- Insufficient funding for conservation efforts and anti-poaching initiatives.
- Poaching and Illegal Trade:
- Organized networks thrive despite stricter laws; illegal wildlife trade remains a concern. (TRAFFIC India and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) reports.)
- Development vs. Conservation:
- Economic projects often take precedence over ecological considerations. (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and Supreme Court judgments.)
- Community Engagement:
- Lack of stakeholder involvement in conservation efforts leads to resentment. (Reports by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP))
- Technology Adoption:
- Slow integration of modern technologies like AI and satellite tracking.
Proposed Measures for Improvement
- HWC Mitigation:
- Implement early warning systems and habitat restoration.
- Develop wildlife corridors and buffer zones. (Guidelines by NTCA and WII on human-wildlife conflict management.)
- Protected Areas Enhancement:
- Expand national parks and sanctuaries for better wildlife support. (MoEFCC’s “Protected Area Network” reports.)
- Scientific Relocation Policies:
- Establish a National Wildlife Translocation Board for scientific oversight.
- Anti-Poaching Strengthening:
- Increase surveillance and inter-agency coordination. (WCCB and TRAFFIC India reports.)
- Community-Led Initiatives:
- Involve local communities in conservation through incentives.
- Technology Utilization:
- Use AI and GIS for monitoring wildlife and habitats. (Reports by WII and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).)
- Climate Strategies:
- Integrate conservation with climate resilience efforts.
- Reforming Policies:
- Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for developmental projects.
Way Forward
- Call to Action:
- Emphasis on the need for proactive strategies to balance ecological integrity with development needs for long-term sustainability. (Reports by NITI Aayog and MoEFCC on sustainable development.)