India Revises Wildlife Trade Rules After 40 Years, Raises Conservation Concerns

New Delhi: In a significant move, India has revised its rules on wildlife trade after four decades, bringing about changes in licensing restrictions. However, the exclusion of certain species from these restrictions has raised concerns among conservationists.

The revised rules, titled “Wild Life (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024,” were issued by the Union environment ministry on January 18, providing guidelines for considering matters before granting licenses for dealing in captive animals, snake venom, trophy animals, and stuffed animals.

Previously, the rules published in 1983 stated that no license shall be granted to trade in a wild animal specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, except with the previous consultation of the central government. The new guidelines have made changes to this condition, stating that no such license shall be granted if it relates to any wild animal specified in Schedule I to the Act, except with the previous consultation of the Central Government.

While the revised notification doesn’t provide a specific reason for the removal of licensing restrictions for Schedule II species, it raises concerns among conservationists. Schedule II still includes several important species of mammals, such as endangered bats, shrews, squirrels, and a diverse range of birds, including barbets, bee-eaters, bulbuls, buntings, prinias, falcons, and pittas. Additionally, turtles, geckos, snakes, frogs, and more are part of Schedule II of the amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Conservationists worry that the exclusion of certain species from licensing restrictions may pose risks to their conservation and exacerbate the challenges faced by already endangered or vulnerable wildlife populations. The move has sparked discussions among environmentalists and wildlife experts, calling for a comprehensive review of the revised rules to ensure effective conservation measures and prevent exploitation of threatened species.