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Context: Between 2018 and 2020 about 2054 cases were registered for killing or illegal trafficking of wild animals in India.

• The data was made available on the basis of cases registered by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and State Forest and Police Authorities in the past three years.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) led operations

• It had launched operation “Save Kurma” to focus on the poaching, transportation and illegal trade of live turtles and tortoises.
• “Operation Turtshield- I” and Operation Turtshield-II” was taken up to tackle the illegal trade of live turtles.
• WCCB conducted Operation “Lesknow”, “Lesknow-II” and Operation “Lesknow-III” to gain attention of enforcement agencies towards the illegal wildlife trade in lesser-known species of wildlife.
• WCCB’s “Operation Clean Art” to drag attention of enforcement agencies towards illegal wildlife trade in Mongoose hair brushes.
• “Operation Softgold” to tackle Shahtoosh Shawl (made from Chiru wool) illegal trade and to spread awareness among the weavers and traders engaged in this trade.
• Operation Birbil to curb illegal trade in wild cat and wild bird species.
• “Operation Wildnet”, “Operation Wildnet-II”, “Operation Wildnet-III” and “Operation Wildnet-IV” to draw the attention of the enforcement agencies within the country to focus their attention on the ever increasing illegal wildlife trade over internet using social media platforms.
• “Operation Freefly” on illegal trade of live birds and “Operation Wetmark” to ensure prohibition of sale of meat of wild animals in wet markets across the countr

About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

• It has received the Asia Environmental Enforcement Award-2020 awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to combat organised wildlife crime.
• Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated to
• collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action.
• establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank;
• co-ordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act;
• assist foreign authorities and international organization concerned to facilitate co-ordination and universal action for wildlife crime control;
• capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes; and
• advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.
• assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/2054-cases-registered-for-killing-trafficking-of-wild-animals/article37934115.ece

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