News: MoEF&CC constituted a 4-member WCCB inquiry team to investigate the possible international organised-crime link in the appearance of an orangutan in Balasore, Odisha.
About WCCB
- Statutory body → Established under Section 38Y, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Operational since: 2008.
- Ministry: MoEF&CC.
- Nature: Multidisciplinary body → Police + Forest + Customs + Intelligence + Enforcement agencies.
- HQ: New Delhi.
- 5 Regional Offices → Delhi + Kolkata + Mumbai + Chennai + Bhopal.
Key Functions
- Intelligence → Collects/collates intelligence on organised wildlife crime + maintains wildlife crime database.
- Coordination → Coordinates State Governments + enforcement agencies against wildlife crime.
- International cooperation → Works with foreign authorities and international organisations against cross-border wildlife trafficking.
- CITES → Assists in enforcing CITES obligations in India.
- Investigation → Develops scientific investigation capacity + assists in successful prosecution.
- Policy advice → Advises the Union Government on wildlife crimes having national/international ramifications.
International Linkages
- INTERPOL Environmental Crime Programme → Wildlife crime coordination.
- World Customs Organization (WCO) → Helps track cross-border trafficking.
- CITES → Regulation of international trade in endangered wildlife.
Wildlife Crime Database
- Online Wildlife Crime Database Management System → Provides real-time data.
- Helps → Analyse crime trends + improve detection + develop preventive measures + strengthen enforcement.
- Supports operations such as SAVE KURMA + THUNDERBIRD + WILDNET + LESKNOW + BIRBIL + THUNDERSTORM.