Chapter IVC of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 talks about the Tiger and
other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau. This chapter has total 2
sections: Section 38Y which explains the Constitution of Tiger and other
endangered Species Crime Control Bureau and Section 38Z explains the Powers and
Functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Crime Control Bureau [1]
First, let us understand what a Crime Control Bureau is. It is a statutory
multi-disciplinary body which is established by the Government of India under
the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It is
established for the purpose of taking action to reduce and bring under control
the crimes relating to wild life taking place in the country. The Bureau is
headquartered at Delhi.
Section 38Y
This section explains that who are the members of the Tiger and other Endangered
Species Crime Control Bureau. [2]For the achievement of the purposes of the Wild
Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the Central Government has the power to establish a
Crime Control Bureau for Tiger and other Endangered Species.
For constituting such a Bureau, the Central Government is required to publish an
order in the Official Gazette.
The Bureau consists of the following members:
- The Director of Wild Life (ex officio, it denotes that he/she is a
member of a body, the Crime Control Bureau in this case, who holds a
position
- The Inspector General who is an Additional Director.
- The Deputy Inspector General of Police who is a Joint Director.
- The Deputy Inspector General of Forests who is another Joint Director.
- The Additional Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise who is another
Joint Director.
- Other officers can also be appointed if required as per given under
Section 3 and 4 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Section 38Z
This section explains the Powers and Functions of the Wild Life Crime Control
Bureau. [3]
- The Bureau has the power to collect information regarding the crime
activities done against the wild life and has the power to distribute such
collected information for the purpose of immediate action to be taken
against the criminals.
- The Bureau also has the power to maintain a centralized database for the
purpose of storing date related to such crimes.
- The Bureau has the power of coordinating the actions of the varied
officers, the State Governments and any other authority that might be
connected with the implementation of the provisions of this Act. Such
coordination can be done either directly or by setting up of border units.
- The Bureau can implement any obligations which fall under the
conventions and protocols recognized at international level which are
currently in force and that might be ratified, i.e., made officially valid
in India at a future date.
- The Bureau can aid the authorities concerned in outside countries and
other international organizations for the purpose of coordinating universal
action for the protection of wild life and bring the crime against wild life
under control.
- The Bureau has the power to aid in the development of infrastructural
facilities for scientific investigations (as well as professional) into the
crimes related to wild life and help the State Governments for ensuring that
the prosecutions related to wild life crimes succeed.
- The Bureau can provide advice to the Central Government on the issues
regarding the crimes involving wild life which have a national as well as an
international complication. The Bureau can also provide suggestions for any
changes required in any of the policies formulated or laws.
- The Bureau can exercise powers as delegated under Section 5 (1), 50 (1),
50 (8) and Section 55 of this Act.
Conclusion
Wild Life is as important as human beings. Any crime against them must be
addressed properly and accordingly. The people who are found guilty of
committing crimes against the wild life must be punished severely. A naturalist
named Edward Pritchard Gee mentioned that in the 20th century India was home to
around 40,000 tigers but after a census in 1972 it was found that there was a
harsh reduction and there are about 1827 tigers only. There are varied
prohibitions with respect to poaching still it takes place. More strictness is
required as far as punishments regarding such crimes are concerned.
End-Notes:
- http://wccb.gov.in/
- https://www.indiacode.nic.in/showdata?actid=AC_CEN_16_18_00007_197253_1517807324579§ionId=33260§ionno=38Y&orderno=84
- https://indiankanoon.org/doc/161650826/
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