Watch the first episode of Vidhi & Rainmatter Foundation’s newly launched conversation series THE GREEN MANDATE, on the ‘Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Bill 2021’, in conversation with Ms Prerna Singh Bindra.
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021 was introduced in the Parliament of India on 17th December 2021 and proposes to update and add several provisions to the existing Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (WPA). Although the Bill appears to have been drafted with good intentions, Vidhi’s analysis indicates that several provisions can be improved to bring clarity, strengthen conservation efforts, and effectively implement the WPA. There are many neglected aspects of wildlife management which may be addressed through this Bill. The Bill is now referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
Prerna Bindra is a leading conservationist with a primary focus on wildlife habitats. She was a member of the Standing Committee-National Board for Wildlife, Government of India between 2010-2013, and Uttarakhand’s State Wildlife Advisory Board. She has been involved in the creation and expansion of Protected Areas and Tiger Reserves. Prerna has written extensively on policy issues related to wildlife conservation and authored the critically acclaimed book ‘The Vanishing: India’s Wildlife Crisis’. She is currently pursuing her PhD at University of Cambridge.