Rajya Sabha Passed Wildlife Amendment Bill 2022

Rajya Sabha Passed Wildlife Amendment Bill 2022 the Bill which seeks to amend Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in Rajya Sabha, which strengthen the protection for endangered species and enhance punishment for illegal trade in wildlife.

It aims to increase species protected under law and implement Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

• Rationalising Schedules from 6 to 4 : Specially protected animals (2), plants (1), new schedule for specimens under CITES and removes schedule for vermin species.
• Proposed structure of Schedules
  • Schedule I : Animal species with highest level of protection.
  • Schedule II : Animal species with lesser level of protection.
  • Schedule III : Protected plant species.
  • Schedule IV : Species listed in the Appendices under CITES.
• Obligation under CITES : Central Government will designate Management Authority (grant export/import permit for trade) and Scientific Authority (Advise on aspects related to impact on survival of specimens being traded.
• Invasive Alien Species (IAS) : Empower Central Government to regulate or prohibit import, trade, possession or proliferation of IAS.
• Control of Sanctuaries : The bill entrusts Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) to control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state.
• Conservation Reserve (CR) : Empowering centre as well along with state governments to declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a CR.
• Surrender of captive animals : It provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW).

• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is a multilateral treaty between governments to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants species does not threaten the survival of species.
• It was drafted as a result of resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of International Union for Conservation of Members (IUCN).
• It entered into force in 1975. It currently has 184 parties including India.