Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) forms a crucial component of India’s environmental governance framework. By combating illegal wildlife trade, coordinating law enforcement agencies, and promoting public awareness, it contributes significantly to the preservation of biodiversity. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), including its establishment, needs, functions, challenges, effectiveness and other related aspects.

About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a multi-disciplinary statutory body established by Ministry of Environment & Forests to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.
• It was established in 2007 by amending the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006.
• The Bureau is Headquartered in New Delhi and has five regional offices in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Jabalpur.

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA, 1972) – The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA, 1972) is an environmental legislation enacted by the Government of India to protect the country’s wildlife and their habitats. – It provides a legal framework for the conservation of various species of flora and fauna and regulates activities that could harm them. Read our detailed article on the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Establishment of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

• In the 90s, India was dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, which threatened to overturn decades of conservation gains.
  • Run by international networks, these illegal trades involved the trafficking of wildlife and animal parts, much like illegal drugs and arms.
  • Poaching of elephants for ivory and tigers for their bones and skins are some well-known examples.
  • From marine turtles to timber trees, countless other species were overexploited.
• India took note of it and planned to stamp out organised wildlife crime.
  • It was in this direction that the Government of India notified the constitution of the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau in 2007, which is now known as the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
• The Bureau finally became operational in 2008.

Functions of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

The major functions of the Bureau include:

• To develop intelligence-gathering mechanisms related to organised wildlife crime in the country.
• To disseminate intelligence to the concerned agencies for immediate action.
• To develop a centralised wildlife crime database management system for better analysis and effective implementation of wildlife policy in the country.
• To coordinate the efforts and actions of various state and central enforcement agencies towards better enforcement of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• To implement obligations under various international conventions and protocols in force at present and to assist the efforts of various international law enforcement agencies towards enforcement of legal provisions.
• To assist and advise the Customs authorities in the inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the relevant provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy.

Challenges Faced by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

The major challenges faced by the Bureau are as follows:

• Complexity of Wildlife Crime: Wildlife crime often involves sophisticated networks and transboundary operations, making it challenging to investigate and combat effectively.
• Resource Constraints: A lack of quality infrastructure- including legislation, personnel, and equipment, limits intelligence gathering and delays quick enforcement.
• Coordination Issues: Ensuring effective coordination among various agencies and stakeholders involved in wildlife crime control requires ongoing effort and collaboration.
  • Wildlife law enforcement officers often lack parity with their counterparts in Customs and Police services and are ill-prepared to respond to the organised nature of wildlife crimes.
• Intelligence Issues: There’s certainly a gap in terms of intelligence in states.

Way Forward

• The number of offices of the Bureau needs to be increased for improved functioning.
• The recent proposal to open a wildlife crime control bureau in all the states that have big cats can help establish an extensive network of sources and officers in states to beat wildlife crime.
• Learnings from global best practices in tackling wildlife crime can be adopted.

Conclusion

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) plays a crucial role in protecting India’s wildlife and combating illegal activities that threaten biodiversity. By coordinating investigations, enforcing wildlife laws, and raising public awareness, it contributes significantly to conservation efforts. Addressing the challenges it faces and enhancing its capabilities will be essential for furthering its mission and ensuring the protection of India’s rich natural heritage for future generations.

Recent Operations by Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Operation Thunderbird

• The WCCB coordinated Operation Thunderbird from January 30- February 19, 2017.
• It is the code-name of INTERPOL’s (International Criminal Police Organization) multinational and multi-species enforcement operation for wildlife protection.

Operation Save Kurma

• The WCCB launched a targeted operation focused on turtles, known as “Operation Save Kurma,” which took place from December 15, 2016, to January 30, 2017.
• A total of 15,739 live turtles were recovered from 45 suspects, having inter-state linkages.
• The operation raised awareness among the enforcement agencies to focus on the existing trade routes and major trade-hubs in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

GS - 3