Wildlife Crime Control Bureau – Role, Functions and Structure

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Wildlife Crime Control Bureau – Role, Functions and Structure

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau

Table of Contents

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was constituted on 6th June, 2007 to combat the organized illegal trade in wildlife.
It was constituted in 2007 under Section 38(Z) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
Nodal Ministry: It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body under the MoEFCC.
Headquarters: The Headquarters of the Bureau is at New Delhi.

Powers and Functions

Section 38Z of WLPA, 1972 provides for powers and functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau :
- collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals and to establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank;
- co-ordination of actions by various officers, State Governments and other authorities in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act, either directly or through regional and border units set up by the Bureau;
- implementation of obligations under the various International Conventions and protocols that are in force at present or which may be ratified or acceded to by India in future;
- assistance to concerned authorities in foreign countries and concerned international organizations to facilitate co-ordinations and universal action for wildlife crime control;
- develop infrastructure and capacity building for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crime and assist State Government to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes;
- advice the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications and suggest changes required in relevant policy and laws from time to time.
- It also assists and advises the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)?

WCCB is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, established to combat organized wildlife crime in India.

Q2. When was WCCB established?

It was constituted in the year 2007 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2006).

Q3. What are the major functions of WCCB?

Its core functions include intelligence gathering, coordination with enforcement agencies, capacity building, and combating transboundary wildlife crime.

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