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| Centre planning legislation for speedy conviction of poachers |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Jul 13, 2009, 13:10 IST |
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Alarmed at the growing wildlife crime taking a toll on the country's fauna, the Centre is planning to bring in a legislation for speedy conviction of poachers.
"We are aware of the serious threat to wildlife by poachers. We will come up with a legislation soon (for speedy and effective trial) to bring poachers like Sansarchand to justice," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said.
"I met (the Supreme Court's) amicus curae (on environment) Harish Salve and he had some very good ideas on how we can strengthen the act," Ramesh added.
Sources said that the Minister will soon hold a meeting with the officials from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) for their suggestions in this direction.
"The meeting is likely to focus on how to strengthen the cell and if it can be empowered with technical surveillance to develop intelligence for tracking animal trafficking rings," they added.
While welcoming the move, wildlife experts called for a cautious approach while amending the present Wildlife Protection Act or bringing in a new legislation.
"One has to ensure that the state governments abides by the law in a right spirit. And unless we have dedicated courts and lawyers with officials having adequate legal knowledge all efforts to amend the law will remain futile," PK Sen, former director of National Tiger Conservation Authority said.
For the last 20 years we have been demanding fast track courts for wildlife crimes but it has not been taken note of even as the demand for rare species is on an increase, the wildlife expert added.
Sen also stressed on a need to revamp the entire system with a focus on the frontline staff who are an important link in the protection chain but remain ignored.
Advocate Saurabh Sharma said strengthening the Wildlife Protection Act is what we need as presently the law has failed to deter the criminals even as several species are being mercilessly poached.
The legal consultant with the Wildlife Trust of India said unfortunately most cases of wildlife crime end in acquittal either because the procedures are not followed meticulously or the documents are riddled with loopholes that are exploited by the defense counsel.
Referring the cases to session trial like in narcotics matter and punishment based on the quantum of seizure are some of the measures he feels will help curb smuggling. "Presently those caught with several tiger skins or bone parts get similar punishment as those arrested with one tiger skin or a bone," he pointed out.
Also carrying traps should also be made an offence while stringent laws should be ensured for traders who are the real culprit and raise demand for endangered species.
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