Making a living might just become a tough task for the fisherfolk in cities and fishing villages alike, if the proposed amendment in the Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2013 gets accepted in the Parliament.
Three national conservation organisations have given their suggestions asking for changes in the proposed Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill, 2013 after it was put up for public to give their suggestions and opinions. The bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the current session.
Wildlife Protection Society of India, Aaranyak and Wildlife Society of Orissa, the three national conservation organisations, fear that if the amendment in passed in the parliament it would cost lakhs of fishermen their livelihood.
According to the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the ‘wild animals’ that are listed in the Schedule I to VI are the only ones offered protection from hunting, trade and possession.
In the proposed amendment, Section 2 (j) of the bill proposes to change the definition of the wild animal to any animal specified in Schedules I to IV or found wild in nature. The term ‘animal’ is defined very broadly in Section 2(1) of the act to include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, other chordates and invertebrates and also their young and eggs.
This would mean that all the animals found wild in nature will be considered wild animals under the proposed act. And, accordingly, all the fishes, other than the farm bred fishes, will be considered wild animals and will come under the purview of law. This has raised concerns and the wildlife workers believe that if the amendment bill is accepted as is, it may turn the practice of fishing in natural wetlands in the country into an offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
So, together these conservation groups have filed a memorandum for removal of Section 44 of the Wildlife Protection Act Amendment Bill 2013 through the joint director of Rajya Sabha directorate asking to withdraw the Section 44 of the amendment bill.
According to Section 44 this section, excluding the fishes produced through systematic farming, all fish species found in the natural environment will be considered as wildlife species.
And if the amendment gets accepted, only those businessmen possessing licenses from the Chief Wildlife Warden will be able to catch fish in wetlands and sell the same. Furthermore, it will be considered an offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act if fish is procured from unlicensed traders and even cooking of such fish. Such a violation will lead to imposition of fine up to Rs 25,000 and jail term up to three years.
Three national conservation organisations have given their suggestions asking for changes in the proposed Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill, 2013 after it was put up for public to give their suggestions and opinions. The bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the current session.
Wildlife Protection Society of India, Aaranyak and Wildlife Society of Orissa, the three national conservation organisations, fear that if the amendment in passed in the parliament it would cost lakhs of fishermen their livelihood.
According to the provisions of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, the ‘wild animals’ that are listed in the Schedule I to VI are the only ones offered protection from hunting, trade and possession.
In the proposed amendment, Section 2 (j) of the bill proposes to change the definition of the wild animal to any animal specified in Schedules I to IV or found wild in nature. The term ‘animal’ is defined very broadly in Section 2(1) of the act to include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, other chordates and invertebrates and also their young and eggs.
This would mean that all the animals found wild in nature will be considered wild animals under the proposed act. And, accordingly, all the fishes, other than the farm bred fishes, will be considered wild animals and will come under the purview of law. This has raised concerns and the wildlife workers believe that if the amendment bill is accepted as is, it may turn the practice of fishing in natural wetlands in the country into an offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
So, together these conservation groups have filed a memorandum for removal of Section 44 of the Wildlife Protection Act Amendment Bill 2013 through the joint director of Rajya Sabha directorate asking to withdraw the Section 44 of the amendment bill.
According to Section 44 this section, excluding the fishes produced through systematic farming, all fish species found in the natural environment will be considered as wildlife species.
And if the amendment gets accepted, only those businessmen possessing licenses from the Chief Wildlife Warden will be able to catch fish in wetlands and sell the same. Furthermore, it will be considered an offence under the Wildlife (Protection) Act if fish is procured from unlicensed traders and even cooking of such fish. Such a violation will lead to imposition of fine up to Rs 25,000 and jail term up to three years.
