Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

  • 03 Nov 2024

In News:

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change has constituted a team to enquire into the death of ten elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. The team is conducting an independent enquiry in the matter.

  • Incident Overview:
    • Ten elephants found dead in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, between October 29-31, 2024.
    • Preliminary cause of death suspected to be poisoning; final cause pending postmortem and toxicological analysis.
  • Government Actions:
    • Union Government:
      • The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has set up a team to conduct an independent investigation into the deaths.
    • Madhya Pradesh Government:
      • Constituted a five-member State-level inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF, Wildlife).
      • Committee includes members from civil society, scientists, and veterinarians.
      • The State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) is conducting field investigations, combing surrounding areas for further clues.
    • Other Involved Authorities:
      • The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh are directly supervising the inquiry in Bandhavgarh.
      • Senior officials from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) have visited the site for discussions and investigation.

About Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):

  • Mandate:
    • Combats organized wildlife crime through intelligence gathering and coordination with enforcement agencies.
    • Develops wildlife crime data and assists in prosecutions.
    • Provides capacity building for wildlife crime enforcement agencies.
  • Operations & Initiatives:
    • Conducts operations like SAVE KURMA, THUNDERBIRD, WILDNET, and more to counter wildlife crimes.
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi.