Private Bill Seeks Apex Conservation Body and New Penalties for Reptile and Amphibian Protection
SDG 15: Life on Land | SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
The Conservation and Protection of Reptiles and Amphibians in India Bill, 2025, a Private Member’s Bill, seeks to establish a comprehensive, species-specific legal framework to protect India’s reptiles and amphibians (R&A), arguing that existing laws like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, do not offer adequate and specialized protection. The urgency is driven by the fact that R&A are severely threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and illegal trade, despite their critical ecological role.
Key Legislative Proposals:
Apex Authority (RACA): Mandates the Central Government to establish a Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Authority (RACA). RACA would be the apex body responsible for policy formulation, research, and monitoring. Its mandate is specialized, focusing on species-specific research, habitat monitoring, and the strategic enforcement of conservation policies, addressing the legislative gap left by general wildlife protection acts.
Special Conservation Zones (SCZs): Empowers the Central Government to declare Special Conservation Zones (SCZs) for areas critical to R&A survival, prioritizing the protection of endemic and critically endangered species.
Conservation Fund: Establishes a dedicated Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Fund to finance research, rescue/rehabilitation centers, and awareness programs.
Enhanced Penalties: Stipulates stringent penal provisions for illegal trade, hunting, or habitat destruction. Offences involving critically endangered R&A may face punishment of up to 7 years in prison and a fine up to ₹25 lakh.
Community Role: Mandates the appropriate government to actively engage local and tribal communities in conservation and management efforts.
Policy Relevance
This Bill provides a policy template for addressing biodiversity loss in sectors often overlooked by major conservation efforts. Given India’s high rates of endemism (species unique to a specific geographic region) among R&A, the introduction of Special Conservation Zones is vital to prevent local extinctions. The Bill mandates a shift toward species-specific conservation governance, requiring the Ministry of Environment to develop specialized administrative capacity and financial structures beyond existing wildlife protection mechanisms.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will the Ministry of Environment integrate the proposed RACA framework and its new Special Conservation Zones with the existing national biodiversity action plan and the mandates of the National Tiger Conservation Authority?
Follow the full news here: THE CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS IN INDIA BILL, 2025