(Hindi) The Hindu Editorial - June 2018

OPED Available, accessible, but not stable The rot in rehabilitation Protect the great and small Context Concern Need/ Way forward S. UBHODEEP

States should have the final say in what is important for protection in the Schedule lists of the Wildlife Act. Context: Centre gathers inputs from the States on proposed amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. the Act's Schedule lists, which do not seem to grasp the immensity of the country's biodiversity, have been largely ignored in consultations Over the years, the Wildlife Act has expanded the number of species given varying degrees of protection under its six Schedules Over 909 entries of taxa of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants.(2018) 184 animals in 1972 UBHODEEP

EDITORIAL DISCUSSION 5th June THE HINDU unacademy

power of inclusion and exclusion, which lies with the Centre. Schedule lists are critical Determine anti-poaching regulations Even habitat protection. UBHODEEP

Concern: Random nomenclature employed by Taxonomist - lists continue to keep out scientific research that can match species to appropriate protection. Inconsistencies abound: Crimson rose, a colourful butterfly that is widely found in south India, remains as protected as the tiger, while the poorly understood, near-threatened striped hyena is in Schedule IlI along with "least concern" species of wild pig or barking deer. A majority of the 659 species of Indian endangered fish do not find mention 128 species of bats, including fruit bats, are considered vermin despite their significant role as pollinators UBHODEEP

Errors-need to be addressed What is endemic may not be rare what is widespread elsewhere may be locally endangered what is endangered in one area may be a pest elsewhere Dilemma of ecologists in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, where the British introduced deer and elephants over a century ago. Caused large-scale degradation of native vegetation and threaten other native animals and plants. UBHODEEP

Need Constantly updated through local research .Duly ranked in conservation value .Local habitat loss Cultural significance population decline diverting forest lands is difficult in areas where better-protected species are found A multi-parameter list would be a far greater reflection of India's biodiversity than a single Central legislation May be the fastest way to protect the critically endangered amboli toad, which is unlisted currently. S. UBHODEEP

OPED Available, accessible, but not stable The rot in rehabilitation Checking crimes against Dalits S. UBHODEEP

The Supreme Court banned the immediate arrest of a person accused of insulting or injuring someone belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Critics and activists have argued that this amounts to a dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (POA Act), 1989 What has been the impact of the POA Act, especially on violent crimes against Dalits? UBHODEEP

Facts: The highest rates of Dalit homicide are seen in the northern States (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan) and in Gujarat in the west Even here, the rates have been declining. Southern States, the homicide rates are very low UBHODEEP