Editorial
A bill to protect wildlife
In its present form it can't serve the purpose
It is heartening to learn that a parliamentary subcommittee has been tasked to look into the loopholes of the proposed Wildlife (Conservation) Bill 2011.
The move is commendable as it aims to take into account concerns of experts who fear the proposed law would not help conserve wildlife and the forests that contain it.
There is already a wildlife conservation law framed in 1973 in existence. Why is then the need for another law? Moreover, it is not conceivable how the proposed law will protect wildlife, when it lacks any organisational mechanism such as a wildlife department to perform the job.
There should be clear provisions to protect the species the hunting of which should be strictly prohibited. But the proposed bill consists of a so-called provision for taking permission to hunt wildlife from game warden which is fraught with the danger of giving a freehand to hunting. So it must be rethought.
Apart from wildlife, the provision of creating buffer zones poses a threat to conservation of the forests themselves. For those are practically meant to serve commercial logging of trees. Experts believe that would lead to degradation of forests as well as wildlife.
What is of special concern about the proposed bill is that it has left the entire task of conserving forest and wildlife to the forest department. But given its past records of malpractice and inefficiency, there are reservations among experts and others concerned about entrusting it with the entire responsibility to preserve forest and wildlife. An empowered wildlife authority should also be associated with the task.
The interests and natural habitats of the indigenous forest dwellers have to be protected. The bill is wanting in measures as far as this is concerned. In fact, there are instances of their being averse to creation of eco parks, safari parks, etc in woodlands as indicated in the bill. This needs to be borne in mind.
It is expected that the sub-committee would come out with a set of clear guidelines through exchange of opinions with experts and other stakeholders before making its recommendations to the parliamentary watchdog for enacting the bill into law.
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