Wildlife Crimes in India
Recently UNEP and partners including TRAFFIC, WWF-India and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) have joined forces and launched a new dedicated project called Deterring and Disrupting Wildlife Trafficking in the Air Transport Sector in India. The Deterring and Disrupting Wildlife Trafficking in the Air Transport Sector in India programme is an important step in combatting illegal trafficking of wildlife, through capacity building tools and training modules developed for law enforcement agencies at airports. The project has developed a new online hub that includes courses on how to curb wildlife trafficking, information on the laws and regulations, a video highlighting the problem, checklists for enforcement officials to help them in their day to day operations and posters to raise awareness. The new project engages with nodal agencies at airports and helps to increase the awareness and prevention of illegal wildlife trade.
About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:
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.
About Animal Welfare Board of India:
The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country. Established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (No. 59 of 1960), the Animal Welfare Board of India was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, well known humanitarian. From ensuring that animal welfare laws in the country are diligently followed, to provide grants to Animal Welfare Organizations and advising the Government of India on animal welfare issues, the Board has been the face of the animal welfare movement in the country for the last 50 years.
The Animal Welfare Board of India, the first of its kind to be established by any Government in the world, was set up in 1962, in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Acts 1960 (No.59 of 1960).
Shrimati Rukmini Devi Arundale pioneered the setting up of the Board, with its Headquaters at Chennai. She guided the activities of the Board for nearly twenty years till her demise in 1986.
The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is for a period of 3 years.
The Government does not maintain any crime records. However, the Animal Welfare Board of India maintains a data of complaints on reported cruelty to animals.The Wildlife Crime Bureau also deals with the violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The data on crimes relating to cruelty to animals maintained by the Law enforcement authority of the concerned States and Union Territories.The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) in their annual report publishes the details of the complaints received in regard to the animal cruelty alongwith the action taken. The number of complaints received in the Animal Welfare Board of India regarding cruelty to animals are forwarded to the concerned States /Union Territories for taking necessary action.The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) is a statutory body. It is an advisory body to the Central and State Government on the issues related to animal welfare including cruelty meted out to animals.
The implementations of the statutory laws are primary duty of the State Government as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The State Government shall prevent, detect, register and investigate crime and prosecute the criminals.
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