Q Being in this sphere since the nineties, what major changes have you observed?
A The challenges – be it crime, habitat loss or lack of political will – remain unvarying but their scale multiplied. One area that witnessed improvement over the past couple of decades is public awareness through mass media. What we require though is for this consciousness to translate into participation and action.
Q. What were the factors behind W.T.I.’s coming into existence in 1998?
A. Action by other organisations was insufficient. Some focussed on research, a few on policy and even awareness but there was nothing that sharply defined success on the ground.
Q. Enumerate the measures essential vis-à-vis safety of wildlife.
A. There are N.G.O.s that help front-line forest staff by training and equipping them. W.T.I. thus benefitted over 16,000 officials in excess of 150 protected areas. We have a Supplemental Accident Insurance Scheme that covers more than 20,000 personnel in 23 states against death or disability.
Q. Please throw light on W.T.I.’s functioning.
A. It has accorded priority to species recovery, green livelihoods, securing habitats including coral reefs, curbing crime, altering behaviour negative to conservation, nipping issues in the bud, saving animal lives, recovery of parks and conflict mitigation.
Q. How is industrialisation acting as a foe to wildlife?
A. Rapid industrialisation plays a serious role in depletion of natural resources and habitats. Development of linear infrastructure next to or within protected domains results in fragmentation of natural terrains. A reduction in assets within habitats, combined with such fragmentation, can culminate in manfauna conflict situations.
Q. In what manner is W.T.I. sharing its responsibility to combat poaching?
A. Enforcement officers and lawyers are part of our Wildlife Crime Control Division. Our team works closely with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and other agencies as well as forest department authorities in the field to track down criminals. Through intervention of our outreach wing Wild Aid, some tribes and communities relinquished traditional practices detrimental to fauna.
Q. Would you suggest any radical change in legislation?
A. India has a stringent Wildlife (Protection) Act. However, gaps in documentation while collecting evidence from crime scenes accompanied with time-consuming court procedures result in reduced convictions. Our forest staff guidance modules also emphasise on specif ics rel a t ing to proof gathering, documentation and legal procedures.
In times of shrinking space and increasing anthropogenic pressure on jungles, only a few organisations are working against all odds to secure our natural heritage. We need to bring this issue into the mainstream narrative.