Date:06/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/06/stories/2006090606281300.htm

National

Wildlife Act comes into force

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 has come into effect from September 4 after Presidential assent. The Act provides for creating the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau).

The Union Environment and Forests Ministry is already in the process of creating the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. The Bureau would collate intelligence relating to wildlife crime, ensure cooperation with the States through its set-up, apart from developing infrastructure and capacity building for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes, and assist the States in the successful prosecution of such crimes.

Penalty for an offence relating to the core area of a tiger reserve has been increased. The first conviction shall be punishable with imprisonment for not less than three years but may extend to seven years, and also with fine not less than Rs. 50,000 but may extend up to Rs 2 lakh. The second of subsequent conviction would lead to imprisonment for not less than seven years, and also with fine not less than Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakhs.