Centre planning legislation for speedy conviction of poachers

New Delhi, July 13 (PTI) Alarmed at the growing
wildlife crime taking a toll on the country's fauna, the
Centre is planning to bring in a legislation for speedy
conviction of poachers.

"We are aware of the serious threat to wildlife by
poachers. We will come up with a legislation soon (for speedy
and effective trial) to bring poachers like Sansarchand to
justice," India's Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told PTI.

"I met (the Supreme Court's) amicus curae (on
environment) Harish Salve and he had some very good ideas on
how we can strengthen the act," he said.

Sources said that the Minister will soon hold a
meeting with the officials from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
(WCCB) for their suggestions in this direction.

"The meeting is likely to focus on how to strengthen
the cell and if it can be empowered with technical
surveillance to develop intelligence for tracking animal
trafficking rings," the sources added.

While welcoming the move, wildlife experts called for
a cautious approach while amending the present Wildlife
Protection Act or bringing in a new legislation.

"One has to ensure that the state governments abides
by the law in a right spirit. And unless we have dedicated
courts and lawyers with officials having adequate legal
knowledge all efforts to amend the law will remain futile," PK
Sen, former director of National Tiger Conservation Authority
said.

For the last 20 years we have been demanding fast
track courts for wildlife crimes but it has not been taken
note of even as the demand for rare species is on an increase,
the wildlife expert added.

Sen also stressed on a need to revamp the entire
system with a focus on the frontline staff who are an
important link in the protection chain but remain ignored.

Advocate Saurabh Sharma said strengthening the
Wildlife Protection Act is what we need as presently the law
has failed to deter the criminals even as several species are
being mercilessly poached.

The legal consultant with the Wildlife Trust of India
said unfortunately most cases of wildlife crime end in
acquittal either because the procedures are not followed
meticulously or the documents are riddled with loopholes that
are exploited by the defense counsel.

Referring the cases to session trial like in narcotics
matter and punishment based on the quantum of seizure are some
of the measures he feels will help curb smuggling.

"Presently those caught with several tiger skins or
bone parts get similar punishment as those arrested with one
tiger skin or a bone," he pointed out.

Also carrying traps should also be made an offence
while stringent laws should be ensured for traders who are
the real culprit and raise demand for endangered species. PTI