Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reports on biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection efforts in India. Achievements include expanding protected areas, combating wildlife crime, implementing community conservation programs, restoring degraded ecosystems, and utilizing technology for wildlife monitoring. The report highlights measures taken under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, and various central schemes and initiatives.
Key Points / Main Content:
Protected Areas:
* The number of Protected Areas (PAs) increased from 745 in 2014 to 1134 in February 2025.
* An additional 18,324.54 sq. km area has been added to the Protected Area network in the last decade.
Wildlife Protection Measures:
* Endangered species are listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, for maximum protection.
* Special conservation programs include Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Lion, Project Snow Leopard, Project Dolphin, Project Cheetah, and Project Great Indian Bustard.
* Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs for wildlife management under centrally sponsored schemes.
* A Recovery Program focuses on conserving 24 critically endangered species.
* Eco-Development activities involve local communities in wildlife conservation.
* Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ) are notified around National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Combating Wildlife Crime:
* The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau coordinates efforts to combat organized wildlife crime.
* Advisories and alerts are issued to prevent poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
* The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is empowered to prosecute wildlife offenders.
Technology Use:
* Technologies like camera traps, drones, wireless communication, and e-surveillance are used for wildlife monitoring, detecting intrusions, and managing human-wildlife conflict.
Afforestation and Conservation:
* Financial assistance supports afforestation and forest conservation through initiatives like the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), and School Nursery Yojana (SNY).
* Mass plantation drives and awareness campaigns are promoted.
* The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign encourages planting trees in honour of mothers and Mother Earth.
Monitoring:
* The National Afforestation Monitoring System (NAMS) strengthens centralized monitoring using geospatial tools.
* The Forest Survey of India (FSI) assesses forest resources and changes in forest cover.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations:
* Impact: Receive financial assistance for wildlife management and habitat development.
* Action Required: Implement conservation programs, eco-development activities, and utilize provided resources effectively.
Local Communities:
* Impact: Involved in wildlife conservation through eco-development activities.
* Action Required: Participate in conservation efforts and support the protection of local biodiversity.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau:
* Impact: Responsible for coordinating efforts to combat wildlife crime.
* Action Required: Ensure effective coordination among agencies and provide timely advisories and alerts.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
* Impact: Empowered to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
* Action Required: Investigate and prosecute wildlife crimes effectively.
Forest Survey of India (FSI):
* Impact: Responsible for surveying and assessing forest resources.
* Action Required: Conduct regular surveys and assessments to monitor changes in forest cover.
Citizens:
* Impact: Encouraged to participate in afforestation efforts and raise awareness about environmental conservation.
* Action Required: Participate in plantation drives, support conservation campaigns, and adopt sustainable practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Bureau of Investigation: The premier investigating police agency in India.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for environmental protection and conservation.
Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: An Indian law providing a legal framework for the protection of wildlife and their habitats.
Project Tiger: A wildlife conservation project initiated in India to protect the tiger population.
Project Elephant: A wildlife conservation project initiated in India to protect the elephant population.
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau: An agency in India established to combat organized wildlife crime.
Environment Protection Act, 1986: An Indian law that provides for the protection and improvement of the environment.
National Mission for a Green India: An Indian initiative to enhance India's forest cover and respond to climate change.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2481
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2025
Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Protection
2481. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of recent achievements in expanding and managing protected areas such as
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries;
(b) the action taken by the Government to combat poaching and trafficking of endangered
species;
(c) the details of community-based conservation programmes implemented to involve local
populations;
(d) whether any efforts have been made to restore degraded ecosystems and critical habitats;
and
(e) the details of the technology being used for wildlife monitoring and conservation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (e) The Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for notification of Sanctuaries,
National Parks, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves for according
protection to wildlife and its habitats. The number of Protected Areas (PAs) in
the country has increased from745 in 2014 to 1134 in February 2025. There has
been an increase of 18,324.54 sq.km area under Protected Area network in the
country during the last decade.
The Government has taken a number of steps to conserve biodiversity and protect
wildlife in the country. The important measures for conservation of biodiversity
and wildlife protection in the country are as follows:
(i) Rare and endangered species of animals have been listed in Schedule-I
of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby providing them highest
degree of protection
(ii) Special programmes like ‘Project Tiger’, ‘Project Elephant’ ‘Project
Lion’, ‘Project Snow Leopard’, Project Dolphin, ‘Project Cheetah’,
‘Project Great Indian Bustard’, have been undertaken for their
conservation.
(iii) Financial assistance is provided to State Governments /UT
Administrations for management of wildlife and development of its
habitat under the Centrally sponsored scheme ‘Development of Wildlife
Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’.
(iv) A specific component of ‘Recovery programme for saving criticallyendangered species and habitats’ is provided under the Centrally
Sponsored Scheme ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ for focused
conservation action on identified 24 critically endangered species.
(v) Eco Development activities are undertaken by the States Governments
/UTadministrations involving local communities in wildlife
conservation.
(vi) Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ) are notified around National Parks and
Sanctuaries under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986.
(vii) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up to ensure co-
ordination among various agencies and State Governments to combat
organized wildlife crime.
(viii) Advisories and alerts are issued to State and Central agencies by the
Wild Life Crime Control Bureau for preventive action on poaching and
illegal wildlife trade.
(ix) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under
the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife
offenders.
(x) Technology like Camera traps, drones, wireless, e-survellience etc are
used for monitoring of wild animals, detecting illegal intrusions,early
warning system in relaying information to quick reaction teams in the
field for managing human wildlife conflict.
(xi) The Ministry provides financial assistance for promoting
afforestation and forest conservation in the country, which include the
National Mission for a Green India (GIM), with aim to protect, restore
and enhance India’s forest cover and respond to climate change; the
Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) for developing forest/green spaces in urban
and peri-urban areas; and the School Nursery Yojana (SNY), for
engaging students in understanding the importance of plants and is
implemented in recognized public and private schools.
(xii) The Ministry also promotes mass plantation drives on occasions such as
International Day of Forests, World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav,
Wildlife Week, etc., and raises awareness through campaigns. The ‘Ek
Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched on 5th June 2024, encourages
citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers and Mother Earth.
(xiii) The Ministry has also launched the National Afforestation
Monitoring System (NAMS) to strengthen centralized, transparent
monitoring using geospatial tools. The Forest Survey of India (FSI)
under the Ministry undertakes forest resource surveys and assessment of
changes in forest cover.
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