CHAPTER - VIII

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

Wildlife conservation includes all human efforts to

preserve wild animals from extinction. It involves the
protection and wise management of wild species of their
environment. Some species have become extinct due to
natural activities. The progress of man throughout has been
beneficial for the human race but it is the wildlife that has
suffered through the years. Inventions of sophisticated
weapons, industrialization, urbanisation, and even
increasing human population have been some of the major
causes for dwindling of our rich resources. Hunting,
clearing of forests, drawing of swamps and damming of
rivers for irrigation and industry - this is what we appraise
of man's progress. These activities have vastly reduced the
natural habitats of our wildlife and many species are
endangered or nearly extinct.
Extinction is a 'biological reality' for no species has as
yet existed for more than a few million years without
evolving into something different, or dying out completely.
Success in evolution is measured in terms of survival and
failure by extinction. Once a species is extinct because of
natural causes or human activities, it is gone forever. It is
believed that each individual wild creature has a right to
survive without human interference, just as each human
being has the right to survive.
There are important differences between the present
mass extinction and those in the past. First, the present
mass extinctions are caused by u s . Such extinction cannot
be balanced by speciation because it takes between 2,000
and 10,000 generations for new species to evolve. Second, it
is taking place in only a few decades rather than over

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several million years. Third, plant species are disappearing
as rapidly as animal species, thus threatening many animal
species that otherwise would not become extinct at this
time.
Poaching for the purpose of meat, skin, ivory, rhino
horns, musk, etc. has considerably reduced wildlife even to
the extent of annihilation of species. The majority of recent
extinctions, both in plants and animals are due to the
environment change arising from alteration, degradation or
destruction of natural habitats, deforestation, agricultural
expansion, unresisted grazing and spreading urbanisation.
There are many factors that necessitate the
conservation of wildlife and answer the need to protect
wildlife. Wildlife has economic importance as it provides
meat for food and skin for fur. The plants also provide food,
timber, paper, gums, resin, drugs, fibers, rubber, oils,
sugar, etc. Animals provides fur, wool, silk, leather, musk,
ivory etc.
In many cases, wildlife can be helped by ensuring that
their, environment is favourable with regard to availability
of food, water and shelter. This method is called h a b i t a t
management. It involves soil conservation, good forestry,
and practice and wildlife management.
Several species have been threatened with extinction
due to destruction of habitat by human activities like
deforestation for farming, pollution of air, water, land,
plants and animals etc. Excessive increase in number of one
species in a given area threatens not only its own
endurance but also that of other species by consuming
major portion of available food. Such numbers m u s t be
reduced by controlled hunting or by restoring its n a t u r a l
enemies where they have become scarce. Sometimes species
find it extremely difficult to survive in their own once

270
favourable environment. Such species can be protected by
breeding in captivity and releasing in a protected area that
satisfies the conditions favourable for survival, i
India despite of long history of civilisation and vast
population, still have wildlife in better conditions because
the conservation is our cultural tradition. The Indian
tradition goes back to ancient period of the Vedas and has
continued throughout the history. Throughout India, edicts
carved on rocks and iron pillars remind us that Emperor
Ashoka made it a king's duty to preserve animal life and
forest trees. He was the first and perhaps the only monarch
to forbid the killing of a large number of species of animals
for sport and food.
The Indian tradition for love, respect and reverence
for nature could also be traced back to Indus valley
civilisation. The images of rhino, elephant, bull etc., found
on Indus valley seals speak of the sense of human
fascination for wildlife at that time. The most wide ranging
wildlife imagery is founding Indian miniature paintings.
Early literature like 'Panchtantra' and 'Hitopdesha' contains
animal fables that have been used to preach both wisdom
and morals. The theme of Hindus God Shri Krishna's life
depicted in miniature paintings underlines and appreciation
of ecological balance.
In more recent historical times, Mughal emperor
Babur's memories (Babur Nama), Guru Nanak's hymns or
'Baramaha' (the season) depicting each month with a
dominant bird image and Emperor Jehangir's memoires
showing his keen interest and study in wildlife provide fine
illustrations of Indian tradition.
Rivers are worshipped with reverence as they are
considered to be the manifestation of Hindu Goddess. The

For more details see, Chapter - 1

271
festival of 'Nagapanchami' snake worship is celebrated as a
thanks-giving after the harvest season. Sacred groves
maintained for purpose of worship.
'Bhisnois' are well known for the sacrifice of their
lives for the protection of wildlife and trees. This long
tradition and abiding faith in conservation of n a t u r e is alive
in recent times also.
Much of the damage to the wildlife was done during
the British Raj in India. In Madras Presidency, Collector
paid out Rs. 2 5 / - for each specimen i.e. wild animal. It was
a matter of great concern that during 18'^ and 19'^
centuries, the British rulers and some Indian rulers caused
ruthless destruction of Indian wildlife for food, recreation,
hide, horn, musk etc. and also the deforestation for the
construction of highways, railways, dams, human dwelling
and many other similar purposes.
With the advent of the British Raj, hunting for sport
gained more popularity. From the historical point of view
this era heralded the death toll of India's wildlife.
Unfortunately, during the recent turbulent history of
India, much of this tradition has been lost. The appreciation
of formal wealth in urban areas was encouraged in people
by one of the earliest documentation on the birds of Delhi
by British Officer, Major general Hutson and published in
1854.2
The 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976
moved wildlife and forests form the State List of
Constitution to the Concurrent list. Art. 48A was added to
the Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 51-A(g) in a
new Chapter entitled 'fundamental duties' imposes a similar
responsibility on every citizen. India is the first country

For more details see, Chapter II

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which has made provisions for the protection and
improvement of wildlife in its Constitution.
There is an international concern also for the
protection of wild birds and animals. There are many
Conventions signed by various countries to protect wildlife
such as the International Convention for Protection of
Birds, 1950; Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1973;
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals, 1979.3
To sum up the long history of wildlife we know that
the earliest codified law on wildlife can be traced to third
century B.C. when Ashoka, the king of Magadha, enacted a
law in the matter of preservation of wildlife and
environment. The first codified law, for wildlife protection
was the Wild Birds and Game Protection Act, 1887, which
hauled the era of laws. In the field of wildlife protection
early legislations were limited to specific areas and
particular species. Like the Madras Elephants Preservation
Act, 1873. The first effort by Central Government came six
years later with the passing of the Elephant Preservation
Act, 1879. The Wild Birds and Game Protection Act, 1887,
were broadened into the Wild Birds and Animals Protection
Act, 1912.
The first comprehensive legislation related to the
protection of wildlife passed by the Parliament was the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. There are some provisions
under other laws also like Indian Penal Code, 1860, (Ss. 47,
289, 428 and 429), the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, I960.'*

3 For more details see, Chapter III

4 For more details see, Chapter IV.

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 The judiciary is the custodian of the rights of the
citizens and if the citizen's right guaranteed u n d e r the
Constitution of India is violated the court can use its power
to grant in the form of damages or compensation. The
judiciary plays an important role in dealing with the wildlife
cases.5
However, the truth is that the judicial convictions
relating to wildlife cases are very low. A designated court of
Delhi has more than 250 cases for wildlife. All this h a s
resulted because of poor application of law by enforcement
agencies, lack of sensitization on wildlife issues for the trial
court magistrates and absence of aggressive enforcement
strategies in the courts by the forest department officials.
A proposal for setting up of a Wildlife Crime Control
Bureau is languishing with Union Ministry of Environment
and Forest since 1995. This proposal should come into force
as soon as possible. It is therefore, concluded t h a t the
judiciary must participate actively for the preservation and
conservation of wildlife. The criminals must be punished
despite their powerful backgrounds, before it is too late.
There are some questions which need to be answered.
Like, can we check poaching? Can the Salman Khans and
Pataudis be stopped from killing the fast-depleting prey
base of the tiger? Can we manage our parks and forests
better? Every time there is a wildlife crisis, there is a hue
and cry, expert committees are appointed to look into the
issue and after a few months it is back to the square one.
The frontline forest staff is not trained to deal with
poachers moving with guns. Another major problem facing
all the National Parks is the move to give forest lands back
to tribals. It is all very well to say let people protect their
own forests. It may, in fact, be happening in a few isolated

For more details, see Chapter V.

274
pockets like Daharm in Maharashtra, but we can't save
tigers while having tribals in the same space. There would
be an overlap of prey and predator.
It is a fact that forest dwellers hunt and use forests
products for their survival while the Salman Khans and
Pataudis and the forest contractors kill/destroy for pleasure
and out of greed for some green bucks. They are definitely
greater criminals than the poor who kill out of a need.
Salman Khan and Nawab of Pataudi, Late Mansoor Ali
Khan appears to be only bit players in the horrifying
poaching play which has been going on ruthlessly. There
are, however, also culprits far worse than them. Now that
the police have taken up cudgels, skeletons - actually,
animal carcasses and skins in this case - are coming out of
many cupboards. The most gratifying is the arrest of
notorious poacher Sansar Chand, who was rightly dubbed
by Rajasthan court as the 'Veerappan of North." He has
been buying and selling wildlife products for 35 years. In
the process he nearly deprived the Sariska Forest Reserve in
Rajasthan of its tigers.
He was arrested earlier also and was the first wildlife
trader to be sentenced to five years' imprisonment u n d e r the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In May 2004, he was
released on parole by the Rajasthan High Court, but he
went underground. Interestingly, his entire family is said to
be in the trade. Wife Rani and son Akash were arrested last
October for poaching. Now he has been granted bail
recently.
One reason why he could play hide and seek with the
law for so long was that he had links with senior
bureaucrats and politicians. It will be necessary to identify
all such invisible backers. Nor is the Sansar Chand the only

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one to wipe out endangered animals. There are many more
like him.
Despite talks of setting up a National Wildlife
Preservation and Control Bureau, on the line of CBl, to
gather intelligence and stop poaching and illegal trade of
wildlife in the country, the government has not yet been
able to put in place an organisation that can control this
trade.
Clearly, while existing enforcement agencies are not
tackling the issue properly, the district level courts - where
such cases are taken up - are not taking wildlife crime
seriously. Till the infamous Salman Khan black buck case
happened in 1998, there was hardly any focus on media
attention on wildlife crime. There is, however, still not
enough sensitization of the judiciary at the district level.
Cases concerning wildlife and poaching are treated like any
other crime, such as pick-pocketing or minor theft.
To conserve the entire range of bio-diversity in-situ,
the State of Himachal Pradesh has established a network of
protected areas, comprising two National Parks and 32
Wildlife Sanctuaries. The State of Himachal Pradesh has
adopted the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and its
subsequent amendments as the basic legislation to manage
and guide wildlife related matters in the State.
There is a list of thirty forms in which compensation
is being granted to the people of Himachal Pradesh for the
loss of either human life or the domesticated animals. Many
activities are being carried in the Pradesh for wildlife
preservation.
The State Government has decided to keep only the
local species of animals and birds in the Nature Parks. The
State Government has decided to have a network of Nature
Parks where the wild animals will be kept in large open

276
enclosures in their near to natural conditions. Wildlife
management is also being done in the State. During the
year 2001-02 wildlife preservation has been introduced in
place of wildlife management and nature conservation.
There are State and Central Sector schemes. Some of the
rare species are being kept in various breeding centers and
have been bred successfully. Captive breeding programmes
are being carried out in the State.^
An empirical study conducted on the three districts,
i.e. Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur showed that there are many
factors responsible for the dwindling populations of wildlife
in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Mainly lack of education,
man- animal conflict, lack of awareness, unregulated
tourism, untrained wildlife staff, lack of infrastructural
facilities, etc. are some of the major factors which have
been discussed in details.'^
The Government of India has enacted various acts to
conserve the forests and wildlife. Wildlife conservation
strategy adopted by the Indian Board for Wildlife in 2002
are-
1. Wildlife and forests shall be declared priority sector at
the national level for which funds should be
earmarked.
2. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that those
engaged in poaching, illicit trade in wildlife and
wildlife products, destruction of their habitat, and
such other illegal activities are given quick and
deterrent punishment.
3. We should fully tap the potential in wildlife tourism
and at the same time take care that it does not have

6 For more details, see Chapter VI.

7 For more details, see Chapter VII.

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adverse impact in wildlife and protected a r e a s . The
revenue earned from increased tourism should be used
entirely to augment available resources for
conservation.
Protecting interests of the poor and tribals living
around protected areas should be handled with
sensitivity and with maximum participation of the
affected people. They should have access to the minor
forest produce, in the forest outside of national parks
and sanctuaries .Employment and means generation
for these people is crucial for maintaining symbiosis
between the forests, wildlife and the people. People
should be encouraged to take up afforestation and
conservation in new areas.
While strengthening protective measures against
traditional threats to wildlife, we should also respond
to newer threats such as toxic chemicals and
pesticides.
There should be greater governmental as well as
societal recognition and support for the many non-
governmental organisations engaged in wildlife
conservation. Mainstream media to better highlight
their activities as also successes of governmental
initiatives that have worked.
Creatively produced Television Programmes on wildlife
and ecology are widely appreciated by young and old
as seen from the popularity of dedicated T.V. c h a n n e l s
like, Discovery, National Geographic and Animal
Planet. It is proposed that Prasar Bharati and our
private channels along with agencies like WWF for
Nature should collaborate and increase original Indian
content in different languages on our television.

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8. No diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes
from critical and ecologically fragile wildlife habitat
shall be allowed.
9. Lands falling within 10 km. of the boundaries of
National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as
eco-fragile zones under section 3(v) of the Environment
( Protection ) Act and Rule 5 Sub-rule 5(viii) 86 (x) of
the Environment ( Protection ) Rules.
10. Removal of encroachments and illegal activities from
within forest lands and Protected Areas.
11. No commercial mono-culture to replace natural forests.
12. The settlement of rights in National Parks and
Sanctuaries should not be used to exclude or reduce
the areas that are crucial and integral part of the
wildlife habitat.
13. More than 2000 vacant posts in the frontline staff of
Protected Areas shall be filled immediately and
provided basic infrastructure for efficient discharge of
duties. Ban on recruitment of staff against vacant post
should be lifted on lines with the Police Department.
Innovative initiative such as redeployment of surplus
employees in other departments, hiring local people on
voluntary or honorarium basis, raising donations from
business houses and other members of the public in
return for a greater role for them in implementing
programmes need to be explored.
14. Every protected area should be managed by forest
officers trained in wildlife management.
15. Mitigation measures for human-animal conflict and
mechanism for crop insurance as also expeditious

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 disbursements of ex-gratia payments, should be
i n s t i t u t e d by S t a t e s .

16. Forest Commission should be set-up to look into

restructuring, reform and strengthening the entire
forest set u p and affiliated i n s t i t u t i o n s in the c o u n t r y .

17. A working group shall be constituted to monitor

i m p l e m e n t a t i o n of Wildlife Action Plan.

18. Most i m p o r t a n t l y let u s all resolve t h a t we s h o u l d end

the relative neglect of wildlife conservation in r e c e n t
y e a r s . To begin with Board should meet more often.
Wildlife conservation is too i m p o r t a n t a t a s k to be
t r e a t e d lightly or ritualistically.^

Suggestions
Therefore, in view of the above observations, the
following s u g g e s t i o n s deserve for c o n s i d e r a t i o n to p r o t e c t
the wildlife:
(1) The wildlife should be protected in n a t u r a l h a b i t a t s a s
well a s in artificial h a b i t a t s u n d e r h u m a n control,
s u c h as zoological p a r k s a n d botanical garden.
(2) The t h r e a t e n e d species should be given preference over
o t h e r s in the conservation p r o g r a m m e s . Among t h e s e ,
the endangered should be given priority over the
vulnerable species and the later over the r a r e s p e c i e s .
(3) Egg pulling a n d Captive breeding in Zoos a n d r e s e a r c h
c e n t e r s should be e n c o u r a g e d . Egg pulling involves
collecting eggs p r o d u c e d in the wild by the r e m a i n i n g
breeding p a i r s of critically e n d a n g e r e d bird species
and hatching them in zoos or research centers.
Removing t h e s e eggs sometimes c a u s e s p a r e n t s to n e s t
again a n d lay more eggs i n c r e a s i n g the n u m b e r of eggs
that can be h a t c h e d in wild and in captivity. For

8 See, http://envfor.nic.in/pt/str2002.html

280
 captive breeding some or all of the i n d i v i d u a l s of a
critically endangered species still in the wild are
c a p t u r e d a n d placed in t h e zoo or r e s e a r c h c e n t e r s to
breed in captivity.
(4) The life s u p p o r t i n g s y s t e m s - air, water, land - s h o u l d
be properly managed a n d conserved. The w a t e r h o l e s
and stream sides s h o u l d be m a n a g e d and guarded
carefully for the benefit of wildlife. Where natural
salted clay is not available, some artificial s a l t - licks
are to be provided in the s a n c t u a r i e s .
(5) Grazing by livestock is to be p r e v e n t e d b e c a u s e they
are responsible for t r a n s m i t t i n g d i s e a s e s like foot a n d
mouth disease, anthrax, sleeping sickness etc. All
varieties of useful plants and animals should be
preserved in protected areas along with their wild
relatives. The h a b i t a t s of wild relatives of useful p l a n t s
and a n i m a l s should be p r e s e r v e d in p r o t e c t e d a r e a s .
(6) The eco-system r a t h e r t h a n a single species s h o u l d be
preserved. The species a n d ecosystem s h o u l d n o t be
exploited beyond productive c a p a c i t i e s .
(7) I n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a d e in wild p l a n t s a n d a n i m a l s and
their p r o d u c t s should be r e g u l a t e d by law. All illegal
trafficking of wild animals, articles and produce
should be b r o u g h t to t h e similar lines with t h a t of
illegal d r u g trafficking a n d p u n i s h m e n t s h o u l d be a s
d e t e r r e n t as in drug trafficking.
(8) The officials in charge of the wild life p r o t e c t i o n s h o u l d
be a c c o u n t a b l e for any offence a g a i n s t wild a n i m a l s in
National p a r k s , S a n c t u a r i e s , zoos or any o t h e r c a p t i v e
breeding c e n t e r s .
(9) Protected areas should be set-up to preserve the
h a b i t a t s of migratory a n i m a l s , i n c l u d i n g t h o s e c o m i n g
from the other countries. National Parks and

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 Sanctuaries should be set up to protect wildlife and to
ensure multiplication.
(10) Hunting should be regulated. Only licensed persons
should be permitted to shoot animals. Hunting should
be disallowed during breeding season.
(11) People should be educated about the need and mode of
conservation of wildlife. Children should be inspired to
love animals. Educating people on the Wildlife
Protection act, 1972 during legal literacy camps will
help upto some extent to curb this heinous crime in
our country. Arrangements should be made for audio-
visual education of villagers, living near the forests, to
explain to them the value of conservation and other
components of nature.
(12) Laws should be passed to protect the endangered
species and severe punishments should be given to
those hunters who indulge in their illegal and
senseless killings. While Indian wildlife laws are very
powerful, they need to be enforced properly along with
legal empowerment of field staff and sensitization of
the local judiciary.
Those arrested in wildlife crimes should be tried
and convicted speedily. Wildlife crimes need special
courts. Decisions on cases brought to the court take
too long to be delivered, and offenders are often let off
on technicalities. More importantly, wildlife traders
receive bail within a day or two of the seizures, leaving
them active in the trade till the final hearing which
generally comes after a decade or so.
(13) People living in jungle should be involved to protect
wild life, so that they become protectors of tigers. Most
protected areas have seen a history of man- animal
conflict in India.

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(14) Wildlife Crime Organisation should be set up,
comprising young volunteers to track crime, manage
databases and follow through investigation on the
pattern of narcotics bureau.
(15) Training of Forest and police officers in the
investigation of wildlife cases is the sine qua non of an
effective enforcement. Many officers are not even aware
of important aspects like preservation of crime scene,
forensic examination, identification of fakes, etc. Some
efforts have been made in this direction in CBI where
officers have been trained.
(16) Some incentive schemes should also be formulated to
recognise the commendable work by officers and
informers. Attractive monetary incentives to be offered
to the person helping in apprehending the poachers.
(17) There should be regulated tourism. Tourism h a s now
become one of the important activities of national
parks and sanctuaries. But many of the national parks
have started to receive heavy influx of different
categories of tourists and obviously that is beyond
their carrying capacity. The ever increasing number of
visitors to protected areas has been causing great
damage to the fragile ecological system of wildlife
areas. Measures should be taken to encourage only a
specific class of tourist who is a naturalist and
wildlife- lover in the real sense.
(18) The state government should be more responsible and
should take a front step to protect the wildlife in the
state.
(19) Research and researchers should be encouraged. More
and more people should be involved in studying the
various aspects and laws related to wildlife protection.

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(20) Steps should be taken to protect the bio-diversity as a
whole. Environmental deterioration of all kinds should
be removed, reduced, minimized or prevented.

These are the few suggestions on how we can protect

our wildlife. Some of the poachers have also turned to
animals saviours at Manas. Budheswar Boro used to roam
the grasslands hunting wildlife, including rhinos, elephants
and a tiger. He still roams the park with a gun but for a
cause. Like Boro, there are a dozen others who guard the
park in their changed role as wildlife custodians.

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