Why in the news?

Recently Prime Minister has inaugurated Vantara wildlife rescue and conservation center, a private project.

What are the objectives of wildlife management?

Wildlife management – It involves using scientific principles and local knowledge to oversee wild animal populations, their habitats in a way that benefits both the environment and society.
Objectives
- Population control - Manage populations to avoid over-harvesting and over-population
- Ecosystem management - Support ecosystem processes and resilience
- Habitat management - Improve and conserve habitats
- Biodiversity conservation - Halt the loss of biodiversity
- Endangered species - Increase the survival probability of endangered species

Protected areas of India	As of 27th November, 2023 India has a network of 1014 Protected Areas covering a total of 1,75,169.42 km2 of geographical area of the country which is approximately 5.32%.
National Parks	106
Wildlife Sanctuaries	573
Conservation Reserves	115
Community Reserves	220
Total	1014

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972- Protects wild animals, birds, and plants and establishes protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980- Regulates the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, ensuring conservation.
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986- Provides a framework for environmental protection, including wildlife conservation.
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) – Recognizes the rights of forest dwellers while ensuring conservation.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960- Prevents cruelty to animals, which has implications for wildlife protection.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010- Establishes the NGT to address environmental and wildlife-related legal cases.

Global Conventions on Wildlife Management

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 1973 – Regulates the international trade of endangered species.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 – Promotes conservation, sustainable use, and fair sharing of genetic resources.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 1971 – Protects wetlands that are crucial for wildlife, especially migratory birds.
Bonn Convention (Convention on Migratory Species), 1979 – Focuses on conserving migratory species and their habitats.

Low success rate in relocation - Relocation efforts such as the recent cheetah relocation exercise, where eight cheetahs and three cubs died , have a 50 % of success.
Increase in endangered species - As per the latest estimates of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, there are currently 73 “critically endangered” species of animals in the country, a sharp rise from 47 in 2011.
Reduction in budgetary allocations - Project Tiger and Elephant, which were given separate funding earlier, have now been clubbed together.
Funding for these projects declined by 23 % between 2019 and 2023.
Development of Wildlife Habitats, saw a 20 % reduction in funding during the same period.
Human-animal conflict - It causes harm to both humans and animals across the country.
Between 2019 and 2023, elephant attacks caused nearly 2,800 deaths and human-tiger conflicts resulted in nearly 300 deaths.
Illegal wildlife trade – Poaching and exotic pet trade poses significant challenges to wildlife management, including biodiversity loss, potential disease transmission, and ecosystem disruption.
Invasive Species -The introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, outcompete native species, and spread diseases.

Increased Funding & Resources- Private investments can provide better infrastructure, anti-poaching measures, and habitat restoration.
Efficient Management- Private organizations may bring better technology, skilled workforce, and modern conservation methods.
Revenue Generation through Eco-Tourism- Sustainable wildlife tourism can create jobs, boost the economy, and fund conservation efforts.
Reduced Government Burden- Shifts financial and operational responsibilities from the government to private stakeholders.
Better Protection Against Poaching- Private reserves often have stricter security measures and better enforcement against illegal activities.

Profit-Driven Exploitation—Conservation may be prioritized over profit-making (hunting, tourism, or resource extraction).
Exclusion of Local Communities- Indigenous and local communities may lose access to traditional lands, affecting their livelihoods.
Loss of Biodiversity Ethics- Some private players may focus on commercially valuable species, ignoring overall ecosystem balance.
Limited Public Accountability- Private firms may not be transparent in their operations, leading to unregulated exploitation.
Privatization of a Public Resource- Wildlife is a shared national heritage, and private ownership may lead to restricted access and conflicts over land use.

Community Participation – Involvement of local communities through eco-tourism and sustainable livelihoods can be encouraged.
Technology Integration – Use AI, satellite tracking, and GIS mapping for monitoring and conflict prevention will help strengthen conservation measures.
Public Private Partnership - Private philanthropy shall conserve, support research with the ultimate goal of strengthening state institutions and not just creating a private enterprise with little or no public accountability.