1. After four decades, India updates wildlife trade rules in 2024.
2. The Union Environment Ministry issues a notification titled “Wild Life (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules.”
3. The guidelines provide considerations for licenses dealing with captive animals, snake venom, trophy animals, and stuffed animals, deviating from the 1983 rules.
New Delhi, Jan 20: After four decades, the Indian government has revised its rules on wildlife trade with the issuance of a notification titled “Wild Life (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024” by the Union Environment Ministry.
The new guidelines outline considerations before granting licenses for dealing in captive animals, snake venom, trophy animals, and stuffed animals. The revised notification, published on January 18, marks a departure from the licensing rules of 1983 that were in effect until now.
The 1983 rules stated that no license could be granted for trading in wild animals specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, without the prior consultation of the central government.
The new guidelines modify this condition, stating that no license shall be granted if it relates to any wild animal specified in Schedule I of the Act, except with the previous consultation of the Central Government.
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The notification does not provide a specific reason for the removal of licensing restrictions for Schedule II species. Despite the rationalization of schedules in the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 through an amendment in 2022, Schedule II still includes several important species of mammals, birds, turtles, geckos, snakes, and frogs.
Environmental lawyers and experts have expressed concerns about the exclusion of certain species from licensing restrictions, emphasizing the need to investigate why these restrictions have not been extended to all species, especially those categorized in Schedule II after the amendment.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 underwent significant changes through the amendment, leading to the reorganization of schedules.
The schedules now consist of Schedule I for animals with the highest level of protection, Schedule II for species with a relatively lower degree of protection, Schedule III for plant species, and Schedule IV for species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The Amendment Act aims to address wildlife trafficking, a global issue, with various species being illegally traded in domestic and international markets.
The World Wildlife Report 2020 revealed that between 1999 and 2018, 6,000 different species of flora and fauna were seized globally.
The Indian government introduced a one-time amnesty program in response to wildlife trafficking, and individuals voluntarily declared possession of exotic and native species.
Wildlife crime remains a significant challenge, and the recent revisions to wildlife trade rules are intended to address evolving conservation needs.
