More teeth to be given to wildlife crime control bureau: Govt

More teeth would be given to the wildlife crime control bureau for stricter enforcement of laws to protect wildlife and increased penalties for offenders, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
Withdrawing a bill in Rajya Sabha to amend the 1972 Wild Life (Protection) Act to further amend it, he said "there would be higher penalties in the amended bill (that would) have greater integration with international laws and conventions."
Javadekar said the bill would be further amended to effect to changes like giving the wild life crime control bureau more teeth to stricly enforce the law to protect wildlife and various species of wild animals.

The bill, withdrawn today, was introduced on August 5 last year in Rajya Sabha.
It sought to deal with wildlife crimes and provide a legal framework for protection of various species of wild animals, management of their habitat and for regulation and control of trade in the products derived from them.
The measure also dealt with offences like using the meat or body parts of such animals for trophies.
It sought to provide imprisonment for five to seven years and a fine not less than Rs 1 lakh which could be extended to Rs 25 lakh.