Modern tech must be used to fight wildlife crimes: Vardhan

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan today said that modern technology must be used to counter poachers and wildlife crimes.
Inaugurating the Global Wildlife Programme here, he also appealed to wildlife experts and scientists to deliberate on various wildlife-related laws with a modern and scientific outlook.
"If you can blend science and technology to the cause of wildlife, it will produce a drastic difference to the outcome of the conference," he said.
Vardhan also emphasised that "modern technology must be used to counter poachers and wildlife crimes", a statement from the ministry said.
He pointed out that the effort has always been to resolve all issues related to wildlife in a harmonious manner.

The minister said India has the largest participation of people living in the forests towards conservation efforts.

Two documents--India's National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) for the period 2017-2031 and Secure Himalaya--were released on the occasion. The plan focuses on preservation of genetic diversity and sustainable development. The NWAP has five components, 17 themes, 103 conservation actions and 250 projects, it said.
Referring to the NWAP, Vardhan said it has been made landscape-based, rather than sanctuary, or national park- based.
The minister urged students to become strong 'eco- messengers' in the society.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ajay Narayan Jha, said the event will provide a platform to build strategic partnerships between all the 19 nations and enable India to strengthen its enforcement mechanism to control wildlife trafficking.

Jha said some new action issues have been considered in the Third National Wildlife Action Plan. These issues include climate change and wildlife, wildlife health, inland, coastal and marine conservation and wildlife conflict mitigation.