NT Reporter Panaji
Goa has recorded a steady decline in wildlife crime cases over the past three years, according to data presented by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in response to a Rajya
Sabha question tabled by Parimal Nathwani.
The state registered 12 cases in 2022, eight in 2023, and four in 2024, marking a 67 per cent fall from the baseline year. The figures were presented by Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Nationally, the total number of wildlife crime cases dropped from 546 in 2022 to 349 in 2023, but rose slightly to 354 in 2024, as per the data presented by Kirti Vardhan Singh.
Other states also reported improvement. Tamil Nadu reduced cases from 52 in 2022 to 22 in 2024, Karnataka from 26 to three, Andhra Pradesh from 48 to 17, and Maharashtra from 14 to seven over the same period. Uttarakhand reported a fall from 37 in 2022 to 13 in 2024. West Bengal, however, showed little change, with 73 cases in 2024 compared to 76
in 2022.
Wildlife experts attributed these reductions to enhanced surveillance measures and better coordination between forest departments and local communities.
The ministry said wildlife conservation is primarily the responsibility of state governments under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, while the Centre provides financial assistance under schemes such as ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project
Tiger & Elephant’ to strengthen anti-poaching infrastructure.
According to the ministry, technology such as camera traps, drones, and e-surveillance systems, along with monitoring by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, has aided detection and prevention of illegal activities. The Bureau also coordinates with state agencies and conducts capacity-building programmes for officials.
