Context:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released World Wildlife Crime Report 2024
Key Findings:
- During 2015-2021, rhinoceroses and cedars were most impacted animal and plant species respectively.
- Largest numbers of seizures reported during 2015- 2021 involved corals, followed by crocodilians and elephants.
- For seizures of animal species, there is gradual increase from 2015–2019 and then decline in 2020 and 2021.
- For seizures of plant species, there is sharp increase in 2020 and 2021.
- Wildlife crime – Taking, possession, trade or movement, consumption of wild animals and plants or their derivatives in contravention of any international, regional, or national legislation(s).
Important initiatives:
- UNODC’s Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime, 2014
- Wildlife Crime Initiative to respond to global poaching crisis.
- Strategic partnership between TRAFFIC, wildlife trade monitoring network and World Wildlife Fund.
- Initiatives in India –
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established under Ministry of Environment and Forests to combat organized wildlife crime.
Source: UNODC
Previous Year Question
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem
Answer: (a)
