Syllabus: GS- III & V: Biodiversity

Why is it in the news?

The latest National Crime Records Bureau data reveals a striking contrast: environmental crimes across India rose by 30.38% (reaching nearly 69,000 cases), but Assam saw its numbers drop by 28.6%. 

More About the News

• In 2023, Assam registered only 55 cases, down from 77 in the previous year. 
• This indicates that while the rest of the country is struggling with rising violations, Assam’s enforcement and conservation strategies are yielding tangible results.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

The 55 cases registered in Assam were distributed across three specific legal frameworks:

• The Forest Act & Forest Conservation Act (1927): 26 cases were registered for illegal felling of trees or encroachment.
• The Wildlife Protection Act (1972): 18 cases were reported, primarily involving threats to the state’s iconic fauna.
• The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (2003): 11 cases were linked to public health and environmental hygiene.

In contrast, states like Tamil Nadu (over 41,000 cases) and Kerala (over 8,000 cases) topped the national list, though it is worth noting that higher numbers often reflect more rigorous reporting and active local policing rather than just more “crime.”

Key Pillars of Assam’s Success

Experts of Aaranyak point toward a “concerted effort” by multiple stakeholders. The success isn’t just a matter of luck; it is a result of structural changes:

• Proactive Policing: Historically, the Police Department viewed environmental crime as the sole headache of the Forest Department. 
  • Today, there is seamless coordination between the two. The police are now as active in catching poachers as they are in catching traditional criminals.
• The Rhino Success Story: One of the biggest wins has been the drastic reduction in Rhino Poaching. 
  • Enhanced surveillance in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks has made it increasingly difficult for international smuggling rings to operate.
• Top-Level Monitoring: There is now a rigorous monitoring system from the highest levels of the state government. 
  • High-ranking officials regularly review conservation data, putting pressure on ground-level enforcement agencies to take their duties seriously.
• Livelihood Diversification: Many people living near forest fringes previously turned to illegal logging out of poverty. 
  • Government schemes aimed at providing alternative livelihoods have reduced the economic dependency on forest resources.
• Public Awareness: Environmental protection is no longer just a government slogan; it has become a community movement. 
  • From mass tree plantation drives to local “village defense parties” reporting suspicious movements, the citizens have become the “eyes and ears” of the forest.

Why caution is still needed

• Fewer cases do not always mean absence of environmental pressure.
• Assam remains ecologically sensitive due to: Expanding infrastructure, human-wildlife conflict and climate stress on forests and wetlands.
• Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure that:
  • Decline reflects real improvement, not under-reporting
  • Enforcement remains consistent and transparent

Defining the Essentials

• Environment Related Offences: These are crimes committed against the natural environment, ranging from illegal wildlife trade and poaching to discharging toxic waste or illegal logging.
• The Forest Act, 1927: A foundational Indian law that gives the government power to declare areas as “Reserved” or “Protected” forests and regulates the movement of forest produce.
• The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: The most powerful tool for conservation in India, it categorizes animals into “Schedules” and provides varying degrees of protection, with the highest penalties for hunting endangered species like tigers and rhinos.
• Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) Losses: While usually used for power, in a broader sense, “losses” in conservation refer to the gap between protected resources and the reality of theft/poaching on the ground.
• Chargesheeted: This refers to the formal document prepared by the police after an investigation, which is then submitted to a court to begin the trial of the accused person.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaways

• National vs. State Trend: India saw a 30% rise in eco-crimes; Assam saw a 28% fall.
• Top Offenders (State-wise): Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Rajasthan report the highest numbers nationally.
• Northeast Performance: Most Northeast states, including Nagaland and Manipur, report negligible or zero cases, suggesting either excellent conservation or a need for better reporting infrastructure.
• Enforcement Data: Out of 75 people arrested in Assam, 55 were formally chargesheeted in 2023.

Mains Practice Question

Q. “The decline in environmental offences in Assam highlights the success of a multi-agency approach to conservation.” Discuss the factors that have contributed to this trend and suggest measures to sustain these gains in the face of rising national environmental crimes. (250 words)

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