The much awaited Bill to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 to set up a National Tiger Conservation Authority (TCA) and empower the Project Tiger with constitutional authority was to be tabled in the Rajya Sabhae today. This morning, the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2005 was marked delayed.

‘‘The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Tribal Bill will make certain observations in a few days. We will consider those before tabling the Bill,’’ P R Dasmunsi told The Indian Express.

In its report, the Prime Minister appointed Tiger Task Force recommended the setting up of TCA for effective conservation. But the tribal lobby has been opposing the Wildlife Act amendment Bill, arguing that it would prevent forest dwelling tribals their right to land. The Tribal Act Bill is likely to be tabled in the next session of Parliament.

Though Dasmunsi claimed that the Wildlife Act amendment Bill would be tabled during the current session, it is likely to wait till the monsoon session as no Bill is likely to be tabled this session after Friday. ‘‘The gameplan is simple. If the Tribal Bill is tabled first, this amendment Bill will have to be diluted accordingly,’’ pointed out a top Ministry of Environment and Forest official.

According to sources, tribal rights activist Madhu Sarin joined hands with Brinda Karat, CPI(M) MP and a member of the JPC on tribal Bill, who in turn, convinced Dasmunsi to defer the Wildlife Act amendment Bill so that certain key changes could be worked out.

When contacted, Brinda Karat claimed it was ‘‘logical’’ that the Wildlife Act amendment Bill should wait for the JPC on the Tribal Bill.

... contd.