Concerned over the rising cases of wildlife crime, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, a multi-disciplinary statutory body working under Government of India, has asked all the State Governments and UT administrations to set up an exclusive ‘Wildlife Crime Control Unit’ (WCCU) in their police and Forest Departments in order to check poaching and illicit wildlife trafficking.
A communiqué in this regard has recently been shot off by SB Negi, Additional Director/IGP of the Bureau, to Director General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Wildlife Wardens (CWW) of all states/UTs across the nation asking them to take immediate action in this direction.
Sources said the WCCU would not only collect and collate intelligence regarding wildlife crime activities to disseminate the same to field units for enforcement action but also prevent, investigate and prosecute organised wildlife crime cases having wider ramification.
“India is the home to about eight per cent of world’s known biodiversity but the national wildlife heritage is under threat due to poaching and illegal trade of wildlife, their parts/products and depletion of wild flora and fauna is matter of grave national concern hence, effective combating requires dealing with the situation efficiently,” said the communiqué of the bureau.
The communiqué also states that over the years, wildlife crime especially its illegal trade has become highly organised with trans-border ramifications. The existing wildlife crime enforcement infrastructure in the country has certain institutional weaknesses that hider its effective functioning requiring urgent attention.
Moreover, lack of adequate resourced and mandated institutional mechanism with State police and forest departments is most vital hurdle in the way of dealing with wildlife crime exclusively, the letter adds.
“The WCCU will also establish wildlife crime databank besides advising the State Governments on the issues pertaining to wildlife crime,” said Negi, the IGP, in the communiqué.