Maneka Gandhi slams new clauses in Wildlife Act 1942

CHENNAI - Noted animal rights activist and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has slammed the Wildlife Protection Act 1942, including the proposed new clauses, and termed it the worst Wildlife Act.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a book release function here, Gandhi said: “It is worst act in the history of India. It will allow everything to be killed. It is removing the schedules. It has not taken one suggestion from anybody working in the field and it should be removed. And, any right thinking person who wants to save the tigers, should get involved in opposing the act”.

“Highlighting lacunae in the act and the suggested amendments, she said the Wildlife Act needs to be stronger with a detrimental warning to poachers and allied destroyers of forest wealth.

So much so, she expressed her pessimism at the proposed new enactment.

“If you say, there are 1400 tigers, the minute this act comes, there will be 200 tigers,” added Gandhi.

Earlier, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh had said the comprehensive amendments would be introduced in the 1972 Act to make punishment for poaching stricter.

A tiger census of different states has shown an alarmingly sharp decrease in numbers, after which environmentalists and government organizations are under a lot of pressure.

Since January, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has spearheaded a public awareness campaign, led by the Indian cricket and football captains, which has received close to 100,000 pledges of support on its website.

Poaching and loss of habitat have caused tiger numbers to plunge from around 40,000 at the turn of the last century in India to 1411 now. (ANI)