Wildlife crime in India is no longer confined to dense forests and protected areas — it has evolved into a sophisticated, organised criminal enterprise exploiting agrarian landscapes, transit hubs, and border vulnerabilities. Critically examine the emerging nature of wildlife trafficking in India and suggest institutional and policy reforms to address enforcement gaps beyond traditional forest-based conservation frameworks.

Question

PocketIAS · Accepted Answer

Introduction

Wildlife crime in India has evolved into a highly organised and transnational enterprise, expanding beyond forests into agrarian landscapes, urban areas, and border zones.

Emerging Nature of Wildlife Trafficking

Poaching has shifted to farmlands, wetlands, and peri-urban spaces, exploiting weak surveillance outside protected areas
Growth of organised criminal syndicates operating across states and linked to global illegal markets
Use of modern transport networks such as highways, railways, airports, and courier services
Diversification from flagship species to pangolins, reptiles, birds, and marine species
Increasing reliance on digital platforms, encrypted apps, and social media
Exploitation of porous international borders with Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh

Enforcement Gaps

Continued forest-centric approach with limited jurisdiction outside protected areas
Weak coordination among enforcement agencies like police, customs, and WCCB
Low conviction rates due to poor investigation and lack of forensic capacity
Inadequate manpower, training, and technological tools

Institutional and Policy Reforms

Strengthen multi-agency coordination with WCCB as a nodal body
Integrate wildlife crime into mainstream policing and organised crime frameworks
Deploy technology-driven solutions such as AI surveillance and cyber monitoring
Enhance border management and international cooperation under CITES and SAWEN
Improve implementation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 with stricter penalties and fast-track courts
Promote community-based intelligence and alternative livelihoods
Regulate and monitor online wildlife trade platforms

Conclusion

A shift from a forest-bound conservation model to a comprehensive, system-wide enforcement strategy is essential to tackle the evolving and organised nature of wildlife trafficking in India.

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