ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 159
There are several laws enacted from time to time, which are directly related to environmental
protection. Among them more recent ones are the Insecticides Act, 1968, Wildlife Protection
Act 1972, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, Water Pollution Act 1977,
Forest Conservation Act 1980 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
The Endangered Species Act
Passage of the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in 1976 represented a powerful new approach
to wildlife protection. Endangered species are those considered in imminent danger of
extinction, while threatened species are those that have declined significantly in total numbers
and maybe on the verge of extinction in certain localities. Valuable species are naturally
rare or have been depleted by human activities to a level that puts them at risk. Bald eagles,
grey wolves, brown (or grizzly) bears, sea otters, and a number of native orchids and other
rare plants are considered either vulnerable or threatened.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
The 1975 Conventional International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was a
significant step towards worldwide protection of endangered flora and fauna. It regulated
trade in living specimens and products derived from listed species. India is a signatory to
this convention. The signatory countries unanimously agreed upon:
(i) That wild flora and fauna in their natural habitat is irreplaceable.
(ii) That the nations are aware of the ever-growing value of wild flora and fauna from
aesthetic; scientific, cultural and recreational viewpoint.
(iii) That people of all nations hold a collective responsibility of the protection of flora
and fauna.
(iv) That international cooperation is a must to prevent trade in endangered species of
plants and animals.Special Projects
Project Tiger
A fast decline of the tiger population lead to the set up of a special task force in 1970
by the Indian Board for Wildlife to prepare an action plan to conserve the tiger population
in India. As a result ‘Project Tiger’ was launched on 1 April 1973 with the following objectives:
- To maintain a viable population of tigers for scientific, cultural and ecological
values. - To preserve areas rich in biodiversity as a national heritage for the education and
enjoyment.
In 1973-74 nine Tiger Reserves were established to promote elimination of all forms of
human exploitation and disturbance from the core zones.
Gir Lion Project
The Asiatic lion is now confined to the Gir Forest of Gujarat. The sanctuary harbored
nearly 200 of them. The great reduction in the number was due to the increased threat from
overgrazing, depletion of prey species, etc. The Asiatic lion was in danger of being wiped out
either due to starvation, epidemics or human interference. In 1972 the State government