Bureau proposed to control wildlife crime

The government will constitute a special bureau to control wildlife crime, especially tiger poaching, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said on Thursday.

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2005, pending in Rajya Sabha, would be further amended to incorporate recommendations of the Tiger Task Force appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he told reporters.

"It would strengthen conservation of tigers and other endangered species of wild animals through effective combating of wildlife crimes by constituting the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau," he said.

He said the Cabinet, on Thursday, approved making amendments to this effect in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2005 pending in Rajya Sabha.

"The enactment of the Bill with amendments would facilitate implementation of the urgent recommendations of the Tiger Task Force appointed by the prime minister, which have been accpeted for implementation," he said.

The Bill, he said, would address the growing concern of the public in saving the tiger.