TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The recent amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024, by the central government mark a significant overhaul in wildlife trade regulations after four decades.
EXPLANATION:
- The revised notification, effective from January 16, introduces fresh guidelines for the issuance of licenses related to snake venom, captive animals, trophy animals, and stuffed animals.
- The last revision of wildlife trade rules occurred in 1983.
- The previous regulations prohibited the issuance of licenses for trading in wild animals categorized under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- Exceptions were made only with the prior approval of the central government.
- In a noteworthy shift, the government has excluded certain species from the licensing process.
- While the specific reasons for lifting restrictions on Schedule II species remain unclear, the new guidelines emphasize that licenses related to wild animals specified in Schedule I can only be granted with the previous consultation of the central government.
Key Changes and Guidelines:
- Additional Considerations for Licensing:
- The revised rules introduce new considerations for granting licenses.
- Authorized officers must evaluate the applicant’s capacity to handle the business, including facilities, equipment, and the feasibility of premises.
- Source and Supplies:
- The source and manner in which supplies would be obtained by the business are crucial factors.
- The number of licenses already issued in the concerned area must be taken into account.
- Implications on Wildlife:
- The potential implications on hunting or trade of wild animals, concerning the granting of licenses, are now a significant consideration.
- Absence of Explanation for Schedule II Relaxation:
- The notification does not explicitly provide reasons for lifting restrictions on Schedule II species.
- This raises questions about the government’s rationale behind this decision.
Previous Amendments in 2022:
- In 2022, the central government merged four schedules of wild animals into two, reducing the total number of schedules from six to four.
- Schedule I includes animals requiring utmost protection, while Schedule II comprises species needing comparatively lower protection.
- Plant species are now listed under Schedule II, and Schedule IV is dedicated to species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Species Listed under Schedule II:
- Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, animals listed under Schedule II include a diverse range, such as birds (sparrows, bulbul, ducks, etc.), reptiles (snakes, turtles), mammals (deer, hare, langur), and amphibians (geckos, frogs).
Global Wildlife Trade Scenario:
- According to the World Wildlife Report 2020, approximately 6,000 species of flora and fauna were seized globally from 1999-2018, highlighting the global concern and the need for robust regulations.
Conclusion:
- The 2024 amendments signify a crucial step in the evolution of wildlife trade rules in India.
- The relaxation of restrictions on Schedule II species, coupled with the introduction of new licensing considerations, reflects the government’s efforts to balance conservation with the interests of stakeholders.
- The lack of explicit reasoning behind certain changes warrants continued scrutiny and discussion within the conservation community.
- As the global community grapples with wildlife conservation challenges, India’s approach to wildlife trade regulations assumes heightened significance.