EXAMINING THE ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION POLICIES IN INDIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN TADOBA ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE, CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT

Authors

  • Dr. Niyaj Shabbir Sheikh Research Scholar, Shantaram Potdukhe College of Law, Affiliated to Gondwana University, Gadchiroli
  • Dr. Aejaz Shaikh Principal & Research Supervisor, Shantaram Potdukhe College of Law, Chandrapur, Affiliated to Gondwana University, Gadchiroli

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i7.2024.4714

Keywords:

Wildlife Conservation, Policy Enforcement, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Conservation Challenges, Sustainable Strategies

Abstract [English]

India Wildlife Conservation Policies: A Step Towards Preserving Biodiversity and Protecting Endangered Species This paper examines the issues related to trap-and-release efficacy in a conservation context, using the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) as a case study to highlight some of the challenges and opportunities faced by conservation authorities in enforcing wildlife conservation policies. A combination of field observations, stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis by the researchers highlights major gaps in enforcement, including poaching threats, problems of human-wildlife interactions, and resource limitations. The role of local communities, technology-driven monitoring systems, and legal frameworks in reducing turtle bycatch is also discussed in the study. The findings show that although there aremany policies in place, lack of socio-economic conditions, low enforcement funding, and poor coordination among enforcement agencies are significant barriers that hinder the implementation of these policies. Nonetheless, the changing landscape, including eco-tourism, community engagement, and AI-based surveillance offer innovative solutions to improving conservation management. These findings offer practical guidance for policymakers seeking to enhance law enforcement strategies in order to promote sustainable conservation of wildlife in TATR and comparable protected areas.

References

Aguirre, A. A., Catherina, R., Frye, H., & Shelley, L. (2020). Illicit wildlife trade, wet markets, and COVID-19: Preventing future pandemics. World Medical & Health Policy, 12(3), 256-265. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.348

Anagnostou, M. (2021). Synthesizing knowledge on crime convergence and the illegal wildlife trade. Environmental Challenges and Evolution, 9, 105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2021.100222

Broad, S., Mulliken, T., & Roe, D. (2003). The nature and extent of legal and illegal trade in wildlife. In The trade in wildlife: Regulation for conservation (pp. 3-22).

Carrington, D. (2013, March 1). People and animals at immediate risk from wildlife crime, CITES chief warns. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/mar/01/people-animals-wildlife-crime

Galeotti, M. (2014). Global crime today: The changing face of organized crime. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315824291

Galster, S., Schaedla, W., & Redford, T. (2010). Partnering to stop poaching: Developing cross-sector strategic responses to wildlife poaching. In Tigers of the World (pp. 113-124). William Andrew Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-8155-1570-8.00007-4

Homel, R., & Clarke, R. (1997). A revised classification of situational crime prevention techniques. In Crime Prevention at a Crossroads (pp. 17-27). Anderson Publishing.

Hughes, A. C. (2021). Wildlife trade. Current Biology, 31(19), R1224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.056 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.056

Johnson, S. D., Tilley, N., & Bowers, K. J. (2015). Introducing EMMIE: Evidence rating scale to encourage mixed-method crime prevention synthesis reviews. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 11(3), 459-473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-015-9238-7

Kemp, Galemba. (n.d.). Illicit trade and smuggling. Oxford Bibliographies. https://doi.org/10.1093/OBO/9780199743292-0295 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199743292-0295

Kothari, C. R., & Garg, G. (2022). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International Publishers.

Kurland, J., & Pires, S. F. (2017). Assessing U.S. wildlife trafficking patterns: How criminology and conservation science can guide strategies to reduce the illegal wildlife trade. Deviant Behavior, 38(4), 375-391. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2016.1197009

Maxwell, S. L., Fuller, R. A., Brooks, T. M., & Watson, J. E. (2016). Biodiversity: The ravages of guns, nets, and bulldozers. Nature, 536(7615), 143-145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/536143a

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. (1972). The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. New Delhi.

Moreto, W. D., & Lemieux, A. M. (2015). From CRAVED to CAPTURED: Introducing a product-based framework to examine illegal wildlife markets. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 21(3), 303-320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-014-9268-0

National Crime Records Bureau. (2020). Crimes in India. Ministry of Home Affairs.

Nijman, V. (2010). An overview of international wildlife trade from Southeast Asia. Biodiversity and Conservation, 19(4), 1101-1114. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-009-9758-4

Petrossian, G. A., & Clarke, R. V. (2014). Explaining and controlling illegal commercial fishing: An application of the CRAVED theft model. British Journal of Criminology, 54(1), 73-90. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azt061

Rana, A. K., & Kumar, N. (2023). Current wildlife crime (Indian scenario): Major challenges and prevention approaches. Biodiversity and Conservation, 32, 1473-1491. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02577-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02577-z

Downloads

Published

2024-07-31

How to Cite

Sheikh, N. S., & Shaikh, A. (2024). EXAMINING THE ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION POLICIES IN INDIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN TADOBA ANDHARI TIGER RESERVE, CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 5(7), 940–945. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i7.2024.4714