Demanding an urgent amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Rajya Sabha MP, Jose K. Mani will soon move a private member’s Bill in the Rajya Sabha with a request to review the laws pertaining to conservation of forests and wildlife so that the protection of human life and property takes prominence.
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In a statement here on Wednesday, Mr.Mani said that when the law came into force, incidence of wildlife straying into human habitats was much less. This situation, however, has undergone a rapid change and it has become impossible for humans to live in forest fringes.
“The existing laws stipulate jail term for people even if they try to defend themselves in the face of attacks from wildlife. Areas designated as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks have become overpopulated with wild animals, which are causing immense damage to human lives and properties,” noted Mr.Mani.
He also pointed to a report by the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in July last year, which suggested to fix the number of wild animals to be kept in each sanctuary while translocating the rest.
“Compensations should be ensured for damage caused by wildlife attacks along the lines of the insurance in case of road accidents. A tribunal should be constituted exclusively for this purpose,” he demanded, while also calling for announcement of comprehensive programmes against wildlife attacks in the centre and State budgets.