Srinagar, Aug 04 (KNO): The number of wildlife crime cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir has declined steadily over the past five years while no incidents were recorded in Ladakh during the period.
This information was presented in the Lok Sabha on Monday in response to a question regarding wildlife trafficking.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Jammu and Kashmir registered a total of 33 wildlife crime cases from 2020 to 2024.
The data, provided by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), a copy of which lies with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), shows that 18 cases were registered in 2020, followed by four in 2021, one in 2022, five in 2023 and none in 2024.
No case has been reported from the Union Territory of Ladakh between 2020 and 2024, the data reveals.
In the written reply, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that wildlife conservation and protection, including measures against illegal trafficking, fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The Act empowers local authorities to register offences and conduct seizures in the event of violations.
The Ministry also informed Parliament that the WCCB works in coordination with state governments and enforcement agencies to collect and share intelligence, conduct joint operations and issue alerts related to illegal wildlife trade.
It further conducts training programs, interagency meetings and public awareness initiatives aimed at improving the response to wildlife trafficking—(KNO)