On 17th February 2021, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change(MoEF&CC), Government of India was selected as one of the winners of the 5th Asia Environmental Enforcement Award, 2020 by the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP). WCCB has won the award under the Innovation category.
- WCCB was selected as a winner for its contribution against transboundary environmental crime.
- This is the 2nd time WCCB received the award in the same category. Earlier WCCB had won the award in the year 2018.
Efforts of WCCB:
i.WCCB’s initiated an operation WILDNET-II to warn off the potential traders and bring in the offenders.
ii.WCCB worked towards along with the stakeholders and other agencies to create awareness and worked on social media and online trade portals to share information on illegal wildlife trade activities.
iii.As a result of these efforts WCCB has seized a range of wildlife commodities and wildlife species like falcons, pangolins, rhino horn, coral, sea fans, antlers, civet cats, parakeets, and turtles.
About Asia Environmental Enforcement Award:
i.The United Nations(UN), INTERPOL and the World Customs Organisation recognises the efforts on the frontlines against environmental crimes like illegal trade in wildlife and plastic waste with the Asia Environmental Enforcement award.
ii.The award is presented by the UNEP in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL, the secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the World Customs Organization.
The Other winner of the 5th Asia Environmental Enforcement Award 2020:
The 8 winners of the 5th Asia Environmental Enforcement Award 2020 including the WCCB are
i.Under the impact category:
- Sudarshan Panthee and Birendra Singh Johari, Central Investigation Bureau, Nepal Police
- Philippines Operation Group on Ivory and the Illegal Wildlife Trade (POGI)
- Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah (Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) Peninsular Malaysia & Royal Malaysia Police Taskforce)
ii.Sasmita Lenka, Divisional Forest Officer, Athgarh Forest Division won the awards under the Impact and General leadership category.
iii.John Simon, District Customs Collector, Philippines Bureau of Customs won the award under the Impact and Integrity category.
iv.Under the collaboration category:
- Enforcement Division, Department of Environment, Malaysia
- Adi Karya Tobing, Police Chief Commissioner of Indonesian National Police, Sugeng Irianto, Police Commissioner of Indonesian National Police, & Rasio Ridho Sani, Director General for Law Enforcement, Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Recent Related News:
On December 11, 2020, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme (UNEP) virtually announced 6 Individuals as recipients of the 2020 Champions of the Earth Award, which is UN’s highest environmental honour. The award is given across 5 categories – Policy Leadership, Inspiration & Action, Science & Innovation, Entrepreneurial vision & LifeTime Achievement Award. They are given to recognize the contributions of outstanding Environmental leaders from public & private sectors and also from civil society.
About WCCB:
WCCB was established as Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau in 2007 which was later renamed as Wildlife Crime Control Bureau in 2007 and became operational in 2008.
It was formed under Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
Headquarters– New Delhi.
