Wildlife conservation in India: Steps taken

Smriti Chand
Contd from previous issue
(vi) To impose restrictions on export and import of wildlife products and severe punishment to be given to those who indulge in this activity.
(vii) To develop game sanctuaries for specific wild animals or for general wildlife.
(viii) To make special arrangements to protect those species whose number is very limited.
(ix) To develop general awareness at national and international level regarding protection of wildlife.
(x) A system of wildlife management is adopted through trained personnel. India is a good example where several steps have been taken for wildlife conservation.
 It is a country of varied wildlife, where more than 500 types of wild animals, 2,100 types of birds and about 20,000 types of reptiles and fishes have been found. According to an estimate, in India about 200 species of wild animals and birds have become extinct and another 2,500 are on the verge of extinction.
Some of them are black buck, chinkara, wolf,
swamp deer, nilgai, Indian gazelle, antelope,
tiger, rhinoceros, gir lion, crocodile, flamingo,
pelican, bustard, white crane, grey heron, mountain quail, etc.
In India, the Government and NGOs are taking keen interest in protection of wildlife. The Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, has several provisions for the conservation of wildlife. As many as 165 game sanctuaries and 21 national parks have been developed to protect the natural habitat and wild animals.
Apart from this, a Wild Life Conservation Week is also celebrated from 1st to 7th October every year.
 But still there is a long way to go in this direction.