I am immensely pleased to join you at the valedictory function of day long Seminar on 'Wildlife Crime Prevention'. I understand that this seminar has, for the first time, brought the officers of various wildlife enforcement agencies of the country together to deliberate on issues relating to wildlife crime. The credit for this initiative goes to CBI and the Wildlife Wing of Ministry of Environment and Forests. My compliments to the organizers for organizing this Seminar on a topic of great relevance and public importance. 

         Our country is fortunate to be endowed with the immensely rich fauna and flora. India houses more than 60,000 species of wildlife and 45,000 species of plants and has one of the largest reservoirs of natural habitat. Wildlife crimes, illegal wildlife trade, growing pressures of urbanization and development are, however, posing severe threat to the survival of our fauna. Their natural habitats are getting degraded. Some of our rare species have already disappeared and several others are in danger of extinction. Warning signals of our ecological balance being under stress, are already visible. 

         The wildlife crimes are no longer local or sporadic crimes but have become 'organised crimes'. The criminals commit crimes like poaching and generally move to other areas to dispose off the trophies. The vast forestry of country, which goes beyond the State boundaries poses difficulties in tracking these gangs. The absence of a concrete coordination mechanism between the State agencies makes the task even more difficult. Our inability to effectively tackle wildlife crimes, has led to the rapid depletion of our wildlife species such as Tigers, Leopards and Tibetan Antelope Chiru and India has become one of the major source countries for illegal wildlife products. 

         It is, therefore, high time that we start addressing this grave situation and take effective steps to protect our precious wildlife. The Parliament has enacted Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 to help more effective combat of wildlife crime and boost conservation of tigers and other animals. However, to effectively tackle the wildlife crimes, various regulatory and law enforcement agencies of the country need to work together and in close coordination. Such coordinated approach is essential for breaking the nexus between illegal wildlife trade, narcotics and the gun running mafia. Forum like this Seminar help boost our efforts towards such a coordinated strategy. 

         The Central Bureau of Investigation, recognizing the importance of combating wildlife crimes, has already set up a dedicated unit to investigate crimes related to wildlife. As a National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, it has also taken initiative in fostering international law enforcement cooperation. With its vast experience in dealing with organized crimes with national and international ramifications, CBI is well placed to help the States in their combat efforts. 

         At this point, I would, however, like to caution that punitive action alone is not the holistic solution to this complex problem. We need to pay due attention to preventive aspects so that incidence of Wildlife Crime is, greatly reduced, if not totally eliminated. The civil society has an important role in prevention of wildlife crime and without its meaningful participation no preventive efforts can succeed. I am happy to say that public awareness regarding benefits of protection of wildlife has greatly increased in recent years though there is still need for creating greater and wider public awareness and for seeking active cooperation of public in protection of wildlife. What is needed, is an effective and sustainable partnership between various stakeholders for successfully combating wildlife crimes. All the stakeholders should formulate a common strategy and devise a structured coordination mechanism to effectively bring down the incidence of wildlife crimes.

         I have been briefed about the proceedings of the seminar. I am happy to know that various aspects relating to wildlife crime such as the legal framework, advances in wildlife forensics, challenges in combating wildlife crimes and important aspects of investigation and prosecution of wildlife offences etc. were deliberated in the seminar. I hope participants have found the deliberations useful and have benefited from experience sharing. I am confident that the issues discussed in the seminar would stimulate serious debate on them and lead to formulation of a potent strategy for dealing with the wildlife crime.

         I conclude by recalling a few lines said by Mahatma Gandhiji and I quote "The greatness of the nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Unquote. I note with great happiness that what Gandhiji said many decades earlier is now being realized by the people all over the world. Today, protection of fauna and flora is considered an essential component of sustainable growth and development of a country. I once again compliment CBI Director, his team and officers of Ministry of Environment and Forests for taking initiative in organizing this seminar.