**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1425 in Lok Sabha concerning wildlife and animal conservation initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It highlights the legal framework provided by the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, for conservation efforts. The document details government schemes, financial assistance, and initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species and improving habitats across States and Union Territories. A new initiative for Gharial conservation was decided upon on 03.03.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Legal Framework and Conservation Measures:**
* The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, provides the basis for wildlife conservation, protection, and management, including regulating hunting, declaring protected areas (Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserves, Community Reserves) and setting penalties for violations.
* The Ministry provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories, including Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, through centrally sponsored schemes like 'Development of Wildlife Habitats' and 'Project Tiger and Elephant'. Financial assistance depends on the Annual Plan of Operations.
* Schemes support activities such as invasive species removal, water hole creation, grassland management, fire line maintenance, soil & moisture conservation, anti-poaching camps, improved wireless communication, wildlife veterinary care, use of technology (camera traps, drones, e-surveillance), and eco-development activities.
* **Species-Specific Programs:**
* Conservation of flagship species (Tiger, Elephant, Dolphin, etc.) is implemented via projects like Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Lion, Project Snow Leopard, and Project Dolphin.
* The ‘Recovery programme for saving critically endangered species and habitats' assists States and Union Territories with focused conservation efforts on 24 identified species.
* Conservation of Marine Turtles is also supported.
* **Wildlife Population and Habitat Assessment:**
* Population assessments are conducted by States and Union Territories, with national-level assessments for flagship species.
* The first scientific assessment indicated 718 snow leopards and 6327 river dolphins in the country.
* Tiger population has increased to an estimated 3682 in 2022, compared to 2967 in 2018.
* Leopard population is estimated at 13,874 individuals in 2022, compared to 12852 in 2018.
* **Protected Areas and Connectivity:**
* The number of Protected Areas has increased from 981 in 2020 to 1134 in 2025.
* Tiger Reserves have increased from 50 to 58, and Elephant Reserves from 30 to 33.
* 32 tiger corridors and 150 elephant corridors have been identified.
* Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) is undertaken for National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, and Elephant Reserves.
* **Gharial Conservation:**
* The State Government of Madhya Pradesh had notified Son Gharial Sanctuary vide notification dated 23rd September 1981.
* A new initiative for Gharial conservation was decided upon during the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wild Life held on 03.03.2025
* Gharial has been included under the species recovery programme component of 'Development of Wildlife Habitats'.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact:** Receive financial and technical assistance for wildlife conservation and habitat improvement. They are responsible for conducting population assessments and implementing conservation schemes. They are also impacted by regulations and penalties.
**Action Required:** Submit Annual Plans of Operations to request financial assistance. Implement conservation activities and monitor wildlife populations. Abide by rules of the Wild Life (Protection) Act and conserve habitats.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**
**Impact:** The ministry is responsible for providing financial assistance and overall guidance for conservation efforts.
**Action Required:** Continue to provide financial support, monitor the effectiveness of conservation initiatives, and adapt strategies as needed.
**Wildlife and Endangered Species**
**Impact:** These species will benefit from conservation efforts, improved habitat management, and reduced human-wildlife conflict.
**Action Required:** None (passive beneficiaries).
**Local Communities**
**Impact:** Involvement in eco-development activities, which can improve livelihoods while promoting conservation.
**Action Required:** Participate in eco-development activities, support conservation efforts, and report any instances of illegal wildlife activity.
Key Entities Referenced
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Provides the legal framework for wildlife conservation, protection, and management, including declaration of Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves.
Project Tiger: A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at the conservation and protection of tigers.
Project Elephant: A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at the conservation and protection of elephants.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The central government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of environmental policies in India.
Son Gharial Sanctuary: A protected area in Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh, established for the conservation of gharials.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1425
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026
Wildlife and Animal Conservation Initiatives
1425. SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:
SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:
SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:
DR. RAJESH MISHRA:
SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:
SMT. SANJNA JATAV:
SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:
SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:
SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI:
SHRI ANANTA NAYAK:
SHRI BHARATSINHJI SHANKARJI DABHI:
DR. BHOLA SINGH:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the key animal and wildlife conservation initiatives implemented during in the
last three years to protect flagship and endangered species, including measures under Project
Tiger, Project Elephant, conservation of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles and allied species-specific
programmes in the States including Odisha and Rajasthan particularly in Pali Lok Sabha
Constituency ;
(b) the steps taken to strengthen habitat management, wildlife corridors, and human–wildlife
conflict mitigation across identified priority landscapes including the said States;
(c) the role plays by technology, scientific monitoring use of GIS/camera traps and initiatives;
(d) whether the Government has assessed recent trends in wildlife populations and conservation
effectiveness across the States and if so, the details thereof species and landscape-wise
including Odisha, Rajasthan and Bulandshahr;
(e) the date on which the Son Gharial Sanctuary was setup in Sidhi district along with the details
with regard to number of gharials at the time of setting up of said sanctuary and at present;
and
(f) whether there is any proposal to wind up the gharial project by relocating the remaining
gharials elsewhere in case the number of gharials have decreased?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for conservation, protection and
management of wildlife. The Act regulates hunting of wild animals, provides for declaration
of Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves and also for
penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act.The Ministry provides the financial assistance to States and Union Territories including the
State of Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, of
‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’ which aims at
conservation and protection of wildlife and improvement of its habitats. The financial
assistance is provided as per the Annual Plan of Operations received from the respective States
and Union Territories.
These schemes support activities like removal of invasive species, creation of water holes,
grassland management, maintenance of fire lines, soil & moisture conservation works,
establishment and maintenance of anti-poaching camps, patrolling squads, improved wireless
communication, wildlife veterinary care, use of technology like camera traps, drones, e-
surveillance etc. 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, eco-development activities involving communities.
Conservation of flagship species such as Tiger, Elephant , Dolphin etc are implemented in
project mode like Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Lion, Project Snow Leopard, Project
Dolphin. Under a species specific component ‘Recovery programme for saving critically
endangered species and habitats’, States and Union Territories are assisted for focused
conservation action on identified 24 critically endangered species. Conservation of Marine
Turtles are also supported under this component.
The population assessment of wild animals is carried out by the respective States and Union
Territories from time to time. The population assessment of the identified flagship species are
carried out at National level. The first ever scientific assessment of the snow leopards and river
dolphin have indicated a population of 718 snow leopards and 6327 river dolphins in the
country. The tiger population has shown increase as per the All India Tiger Estimation done in
2022, with an estimated number of 3682 (range 3167-3925) as compared to the 2018 estimation
of 2967 (range 2603-3346). Further, as per ‘Status of Leopards in India- 2022’ report, leopard
population in country is estimated at 13,874 (Range: 12,616 – 15,132) individuals, in
comparison to 12852 (12,172-13,535) individuals as per 2018 report.
Further, with a view to protecting, propagating and developing wildlife a network of Protected
Areas have been created in the country. The number of Protected Areas have increased from
981 in 2020 to 1134 in 2025. Similarly, the Tiger Reserves have increased from 50 to 58 and
Elephant Reserves have increased from 30 to 33 during the same period. In addition, for
maintaining the ecological connectivity, 32 tiger corridors and 150 Elephant corridors have
been identified. The Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) exercise for the National
Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and Elephant Reserves, have also been undertaken to assess
the effectiveness of management.
(e) and (f) As per the information available in the Ministry, the State Government of Madhya
Pradesh had notified Son Gharial Sanctuary vide notification dated 23rd September 1981.
During the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wild Life held on 03.03.2025, a new initiative
for conservation of Gharials and tackle threats to their survival was decided upon.
Subsequently, Gharial has also been included under the species recovery programme
component of Centrally Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Habitats.
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