Wildlife conservation in Rajasthan: The legal framework versus the wildlife trade

Abstract

This chapter profoundly describes the legal framework right from the British period to the present times and the policies and strategies made by the central and the state government for conserving wilderness of the country in general and the state of Rajasthan in particular. The safeguard of forests has been included in the list of fundamental duties of the citizens of India in Article 51(g). The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and its implications along with the amendments of 1986, 1991, 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2008 have also been presented chronically in this chapter. Unfortunately, deforestation and other activities detrimental to nature conservation are still going on in the state due to the negligence of competent authorities in implementing the laws. The Government of India has also constituted the National Board of Wildlife, National Tiger Conservation Authority, Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau, and Tiger Conservation Foundation under various sections and Amendment Acts of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Likewise, the state government has also constituted the State Board of Wildlife, Advisory Committee, Conservation Reserve Management Committee, Steering Committee for community reserves, State Biodiversity Board, Tiger Task Force, or State Empowerment Committee under these Acts. Under Section 4 of the Act, the state government has got the power to appoint an honorary wildlife warden. The implication of laws has been in bad shape during 1980–1995, a crucial period for wildlife particularly for the carnivores and Schedule I animals due to heavy demand from western countries for their fur, skin, bones, and meat. The ill-famed wildlife crime cases from the state are the Sansar Chand's case of international wildlife smuggling responsible for the Sariska debacle, trade of critically endangered animals, Peregrine (resident species) and Shaheen falcon (migratory) on the border of Jaisalmer district, recovery of 250 kg elephant tusks (ivory) by the police in Jaipur, film star Salman Khan’s case for killing Blackbuck and Chinkara in Jodhpur district, and Kalia Bawaria case’a tribal responsible for the killings of a large number of panthers. Authors have also discussed the loopholes in the laws, taking advantage of which a maximum number of accused are discharged with minimum penalty and sentences.