Wildlife Crisis: Mismanagement, Budget Cuts & Rising Conflicts

Why in the news?

India’s wildlife conservation is facing severe challenges due to poor management, declining budgets, and increasing human-animal conflicts. Government policies remain reactive, while critical species suffer. A transparent public-private partnership is essential to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure accountability.

Wildlife Crisis: Mismanagement, Budget Cuts & Rising Conflicts

Mismanagement in Wildlife Conservation:

  • The government inaugurated Vantara, a 3,000-acre private zoo and conservation center, yet broader conservation efforts remain inadequate.
  • The Rs 100-crore cheetah relocation project led to the deaths of 11 cheetahs, despite studies indicating only a 50% success rate for such initiatives.
  • India now has 73 critically endangered species, a sharp rise from 47 in 2011, highlighting conservation failures.
  • The Supreme Court urged action to save the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), but the government deemed the measures impractical.

Funding Cuts and Rising Human-Animal Conflicts

  • Wildlife conservation budgets have declined, with Project Tiger and Project Elephant funding reduced by 23% (2019-2023).
  • Development of Wildlife Habitats funding was also cut by 20%, with several states receiving no funds in FY22.
  • Human-animal conflicts have caused nearly 2,800 deaths from elephant attacks (2019-2023), and 300 deaths due to tiger encounters.
  • Despite assurances, states continue issuing shoot-at-sight orders, leading to unchecked killings of leopards, wolves, and tigers.

Need for Public-Private Partnerships and Accountability

  • The government’s Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, was passed hastily, reducing environmental protections.
  • Gujarat recorded 286 lion and 456 leopard deaths in two years, with zoos in poor condition.
  • Private philanthropy can support conservation, veterinary research, and education, but accountability is crucial to ensure transparency.
  • A structured public-private model is necessary to strengthen state institutions rather than create unregulated private enterprises.

Understanding Wildlife:

Definition & Biodiversity

  • Wildlife includes undomesticated animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms growing naturally.
  • Found across ecosystems like deserts, forests, grasslands, and even urban areas.
  • Scientists estimate 5-15 million species exist, but only 1.5 million are documented.

Threats to Wildlife

  • 23% of mammals and 12% of birds are threatened (IUCN).
  • 58% of wildlife lost since 1970; risk of sixth mass extinction.
  • Causes: Habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and human activities.

IUCN & Conservation Efforts

  • IUCN (est. 1948) is the global authority on conservation.
  • Maintains the IUCN Red List to assess species’ extinction risks.
  • The Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and World Conservation Strategy (1980) aim to protect biodiversity.