TERRORISM THE MAJOR PROBLEM OF WORLD

The term "terrorism" since the 1970s was directed to various phenomenon, starting from fearsome threats
Until today the world under UN has failed to come to an agreement about what is an acceptable definition for
terrorism. It is still under debate despite attempts made by many experts. The effort to approach terrorism
from a definitional perspective has thus become a never-ending effort, let alone conform the definition itself.

So many definitions of terrorism have been attempted, but I am not going to discuss the diversities of
terrorism definition. What I intend to discuss here is that for the purpose of enforcing the law against the act
of terror, Indonesia has enacted a law on terror in its Act number 15 and 16, 2003 which goes as follows:

"Every person deliberately uses violence or threatens to use violence causing terror or wide fear against
person or causing massive victims, by taking others' freedom or the loss of life, property of others, or
causing damage and destruction against vital and/ or strategic installations or environment or public facility
or international facility, shall be penalized with a death penalty or life imprisonment or at least four years
imprisonment and maximum 20 years imprisonment. "

It is vital tool for our law enforcement as a vanguard of terror act attempted by any individual or group within
our jurisdiction. So from law enforcement perspective the law is vital to stop a would-be criminal (s) from
attempting to commit crime of terrorism which used to be absent in Indonesia for several years.

From a perspective of motives of terrorist acts are recognized as follows: publicizing a statement through
acts of ruthlessness. In that way they can make fast and massive publication; act of vengeance towards
groups considered disadvantageous to them; serving as a catalyst for militarization or mass mobilization;
spreading hatred and inter-communal conflict; announcing a certain group as the enemy and should be held
responsible; victims are not the goal but a means to create "neural war"; create mass panic, damage public
trust towards the government including security and law enforcement authorities.

Whereas the justifications of terrorism taken on by terrorists including: justifying all means for the
accomplishment of transcendental goals; extreme violence considered to be therapeutic, full of blessings
and regenerative; the executor places himself/herself as part of history, where the act is a consequential
element of history under the perspective of moral balance (a deserved treatment); the act of terrorism
perceived as a minor crime; many among them even take this act insignificant in comparison to the enemy's
posing threat that suppresses them structurally; Let us now look at how terrorism has developed and its
trend these days.

Trends of Terrorism:-
Terrorism is a global crime. It has become the predominant geopolitical theme. The affairs of the world are
influenced in important areas by the terrorist agenda. The thinking of policy makers and law enforcers is
shaped increasingly by the need to respond appropriately to the threat of terrorism. Terrorism represents a
challenge not just to the bases of civilized society, but also to the very foundations of the world order.
Terrorism activities threaten fundamental nations' law and order, human rights and it is the enemy of
mankind. Terrorism, in one form or another, has been around for a long time, and there is no realistic
prospect of its becoming extinct in the foreseeable future. All of those concerned with the effective combat of
terrorism must be prepared for the long haul. There is no simple solution to terrorism.

Terrorism is fuelled by various factors. These include the openness of free societies, the easy access to
technologies by means of violence and a radical and global ideology of hatred. Conflicts in some countries
particularly in the Middle East have inevitably formed a global issue and solidarity among terrorists. This
global issue has become a unifying factor to share the sufferings and establish a sense of togetherness
based on religious brotherhood among the believers to resist against the oppressor.

Terrorism will remain a menace as long as there are people who are driven by fanaticism, paranoia and
extremism. So long as there exists in the world poverty, strife, injustice and oppression, conditions will exist
which terrorists can turn to their advantage. No doubt that the campaign against terrorism is one that must
be mounted at various levels, including political, economic, and humanitarian. The iron fist approach alone
will not succeed. Terrorist will often have the advantage over the law enforcer in the sense that he/ she is
able to decide when and where he/she will strike, and how hard he/ she will strike. Law enforcement, on the
other hand, has to maintain constant vigilance. That is not easy at a time when commercial airlines can be
used as flying bombs, and when terrorist strategy is planned by internet, mobile phone, satellite and coded
messages on websites.

The threats we face from terrorism are constantly changing in all sorts of ways. Just when progress is being
made against a terrorist group, splintering often occurs, and hardliners break away and form splinter groups
committed to the campaign of violence. It is feared that weapons of mass destruction previously controlled
by governments can now be purchased on the black market. It is said that not only the weapons but also the
scientists with the knowledge of how to make them are available if the price is right. And finance may be the
key. Terrorists, like more conventional criminals, need access to adequate funds in order to finance their
activities. Weapons, communication systems and transport all come at a price, as does training.

Terrorism seeks power through violence, and money is a means to achieve that. Terrorism needs access to
international payment systems in order to finance and sustain its campaigns. Terrorists, like organized
criminals, make active use of credit card fraud and check fraud. This is why vigorous identification checks
regime must be exercised on potential customers by credit card companies. The loopholes are in the area of
money laundering legislation that must be closed.
Terrorism as it was defined a systematic use of violence or the threat of violence to achieve political, social
or economic goals. Terrorism uses extreme physical violence to shock the targeted audience. The
psychological impact generated in the mind of people as a natural corollary of that matters more to the
terrorists than the physical attack on the victims (Cline, Ray S, 1998).

Terrorism is as old as the civilization of mankind itself and has existed in all ages in some form or other
which might be known anarchists, revolutionaries, fundamentalist or dissidents against the established
authority or even ruling tyrants having no tolerance or dissent. However, terrorism was not as widespread
phenomenon as it is today in contemporary political system of the world.

Terrorism has, in fact, become a global phenomenon with increasing and rather well identifiable links
between different terrorist group and organization. They use each other's areas for recruitment and training,
exchange of illegal weapons, engage in joint planning and ventures and also provide administrative and
other logistic support. This type of terrorist activities show a new dimension due to circumstances
characterized by the advancement of science, technology and diverse social, economic, political and
historical reasons conditioning it.

The development of computer science, satellite and mobile links have also affected the modernization of
terrorist activities. This further facilitated by support of states/ governments unfavorable to each other. An
element of international terrorism comes into the picture when specific persons of the nation are designed as
targets by the members of another group outside that nation. It is, therefore, described as warfare without
territory. It is warfare without neutrals and with few or no by standards. Another form of global terrorism is
sponsored terrorism, which is operated from safe areas in another country, which are out of reach of the
counter insurgency forces of the targeted country.

There cannot be any single cause of terrorism. Causes of terrorism may range from socio-economic and
political conditions to theories based on the personality and environment of the terrorist. Terrorism is
motivated by a variety of inner drives ranging from financial gains to revenge, from fundamentalism to
deprivation, political frustration, regional disparities, marginalization of sub-national groups, extremism,
despair, injustice, discrimination, resentment against the existing regime, feeling of insignificance,
intervention into personal freedom, weak government, separatism and oppression, inequality etc.

Terrorism produces harmful effects in several ways. The consequences of terrorism can be disastrous for all
countries, both rich and poor, and their people. The normal social life gets totally disturbed and a large
number of innocent lives go in vein. Fear and terror haunt everybody and the productivity of people is
miserably stalled. Everything may come to a halt and the dream of leading a life of happiness and peace is
shattered. Economic and social development of the society cease to uncertainly. Almost all become
paralyzed amid terrorist incidents.

Terrorism breaks down the social, economic political and legal structures of the affected countries and the
entire process of development stops. Socio-cultural mosaic goes to rack and ruin, and the economy of the
country suddenly becomes a shamble. The rule of law and human rights crumble and people suffer terribly.
For developing countries, terrorism is fatal to their development planning because they can hardly withstand
the violent assaults of terrorism; their longing for a better and brighter future goes up in smoke. Moreover,
terrorism not only weakens the established political authority but also brings about political instability. In that
situation the maintenance of the rule of law and human rights become almost impossible.

Terrorism idealizes violence, does away with morality, distorts politics, promotes totalitarianism, subverts
progress, destroys the apparatus of freedom in democratic societies. In fact, it destroys the will of a civilized
society to defend itself. It appears that everything the mankind strives for collapses like a house of cards. As
a matter of fact, terrorism is war against civilization.

Today, terrorism poses a great threat not just to human life, human rights, dignity and democratic values but
to very existence of a civilized life. If the present trend continues, human civilization itself will be a casualty.
That is why Jerusalem Conference on International Terrorism held in 1979 declared that ‘terrorism is a
serious and growing threat to the people of all states which live under the rule of law, that it is no longer a
national problem, but a global one; that it cannot be constrained, and eliminated, except by concerted
international action; and that the case for such action is overwhelming and urgent’. (Jonathan Institute,
1979)

Prevention and Control Strategies:-

In this age of increasing globalization and interdependence, the national and international dimension of
terrorism in fact, constitutes two facets of the same social phenomenon which infringes upon the interest of
all states, not only as an assault against their public order and institutions that protect the liberty and security
of their citizens but, also at the same time as a serious danger to peaceful international relations and
cooperation, which is clearly understood as encompassing human rights and values as well as the principles
of equal rights and self determination of people. It is, therefore, that the transnational character of
contemporary terrorist events has prompted international efforts to suppress them at the global regional and
bilateral levels.

Suggestions for stemming the growth of transnational crime:-

The answer seems to be intensifying law enforcement, more vigilance along borders, depriving the criminals
of their profits, assisting poor countries with their efforts at strict law enforcement by way of providing training
to their law enforcement officers, providing necessary technology, harmonizing laws, sharing information,
concluding international agreements to facilitate co-operation and co-ordination in law enforcement and
more importantly, political will and commitment.

Profits generated by organized crime far exceed those that legitimate business enterprises could make. The
incentive for organized crime, whether local or transnational, is profit. If organized crime syndicates can be
deprived of their profits, they will cease their activities – altogether. It will therefore be worthwhile to examine
and explore the ways and means of depriving them of their profits. The most effective way to do this is
confiscation of the proceeds of such illegal activity by judicial means or with sufficient safeguards, by
administrative means.

A sine qua non in this direction is effective mutual legal assistance in the investigation and prosecution.

It has been found that certainty of detection and effective and expeditious disposal of cases is a deterrent to
would be criminals. At present extradition procedures take a long time. Simplified extradition procedures will
go a long way in expeditious disposal of cases.

The international community responded to the phenomenal growth of transnational organized crime by
signing in the year 2000, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. By the end of 72 hours
124 countries have signed the Convention. This is an indication of the enormity of the problem transnational
crime poses to the world.

Success of the struggle against transnational organized crime lies in the answers to the six points set out
above.

The most significant step in the direction of the prevention of transnational organized crime is the adoption of
the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It has obligated states to act despite constraints
of bank secrecy and also to extend co-operation in confiscating and seizing of assets obtained through
corruption and transferred to different jurisdictions.

The following four protocols add muscle to the convention, namely,

i. Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, specially Women and Children.
ii. Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants
iii. Protocol against trafficking in Firearms and
iv. Protocol against Corruption

Combating terrorism at regional level is becoming effective and popular. The external support is often found
in every operation of terrorist acts in any part of the world whether in the context of inter-connection between
a group and its rival group, a group and its enemy state, or a state and its unfriendly state. It is here that
regional cooperation can be an effective instrument for the suppression to terrorism. In Europe, besides their
individual national legal and institutional measures, a historic convention known as the “European
Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, 1977” was signed and ratified. “South Asia Countries also
recognized the importance of combating terrorism at regional level and consequently, signed a Convention
titled the “Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, 1987” and ratified it.

Similarly, in view of the complexity and problems of terrorism some bilateral and multilateral agreements
between groups of countries have also been concluded. And many countries have extradition treaties
between them.

At the international level, response and cooperation against international terrorism has been invoked many a
time, and a variety of measures and counter-measures have been designed for checking the menace of
terrorism. Concerned by the increase of terrorist acts, the United Nations General Assembly in 1972
established a 35-member ad hoc Committee on International Terrorism, and in 1977 asked it to study the
underlying causes of terrorism and recommend ways to combat terrorism. In 1979, the Assembly stressed
the importance of International cooperation for dealing with the acts of international terrorism. Adopting the
report of the Committee, it condemned all acts of international terrorism that endangered or took human
lives or jeopardized fundamental freedoms.

In 1994, the General Assembly adopted a Declaration on Measures to Eliminate international Terrorism,
which condemned all acts and practices of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, wherever and whomever
they were committed. States were urged to take measures at the national and international levels to
eliminate international terrorism.

Important international Conventions on terrorism are the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts
Committed on Board Aircraft (Tokyo, 1963), the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of
Aircraft (The Hague, 1970); the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Act against the Safety of Civil
Aviation (Montreal, 1971); the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against
Internationally Protected Persons, including diplomatic Agents (New York, 1973); the Convention on the
Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Vienna, 1980); the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of
Violence at Airports Serving International Civil Aviation (Montreal, 1988); the Convention for the Suppression
of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms located on the Continental Shelf (Rome, 1988) and
the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection (Montreal, 1991).

The UN General Assembly also adopted the Convention against the Taking of Hostages in 1979 and the
Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel in 1994, and International Convention
for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings in 1997.’

Despite all these Conventions adopted and ratified, declarations made, and resolutions passed against
international terrorism within the UN system outside, terrorism has become a ubiquitous phenomenon in the
contemporary international affairs, and continues to grow. Every state is supposed to refrain from
organizing, instigating assisting or participating in acts of civil strife on terrorist acts in another state or
involved in organized activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts as well as
prosecuting and punishing the perpetrators of terrorist acts. A concerted action has to be initiated and
sustained by all States whether they are affected or not in collaboration and co-operation with each other
with strong determination and will to root out terrorism altogether from the world.

Of course, mutual agreement at the international, and regional levels have consolidated and strengthened
co-operation between the countries in the fight against terrorism. Hard line policies against terrorism
adopted by some countries have achieved success in this regard. But, it seems that combating of terrorist
activities in a significant proportion will be possible only if terrorism is condemned and fought universally, ,
unequivocally and effectively by all the countries in the world.

Conclusion:-
Terrorism has no respect for national boundaries, and the problem-taking place in any part of the world
today will sure enough to become the problem of all tomorrow. Terrorism is a monster like Frankenstein’s
creation that is too horrible and dangerous. It is even a threat to those countries that create or promote it.
Therefore, terrorism is a phenomenon which must be condemned, fought, resisted, controlled and,
eventually, eliminated at all levels-national, regional and international. Conditions necessary for wiping out
terrorism must, accordingly, be cultivated and strengthened nationally, regionally and internationally, and
unilaterally, bilaterally or multilaterally.

Terrorist acts confronted by a state cannot be eliminated by the affected States alone because of the
international linkage of the terrorist groups. It is, therefore, clear that all the nations must form a common
front to fight terrorism. If the much needed spirit of international cooperation in the required degree is not
properly established, the world would become a dangerous place to live. It is for this reason that one
nation’s peace and security will be determined by the success of all nations’ response to any kind of
terrorism particularly for international terrorism.
 Wildlife Conservation in India

Aiming to Sustainable Growth and Development

Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals, and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and
animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on
the environment, both positive and negative. Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems, Deserts, rain forests,
plains, and other areas including the most developed urban sites all have distinct forms of wildlife. While the
term in popular culture usually refers to animals that are untouched by human factors, most scientists agree
that wildlife around the world is impacted by human activities.

Indian wildlife:-
The wildlife of India is a mix of species of diverse origins. The region's rich and diverse wildlife is preserved
in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country. Since India is home to a number of
rare and threatened animal species, wildlife management in the country is essential to preserve these
species. According to one study, India is home to about 60-70% of the world's biodiversity. India, lying within
the Indomalaya ecozone, is home to about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2% of reptilian, and
6.0% of flowering plant species.

Many ecoregions, such as the shola forests, also exhibit extremely high rates of endemism; overall, 33% of
Indian plant species are endemic. India's forest cover ranges from the tropical rainforest of the Andaman
Islands, Western Ghats, and Northeast India to the coniferous forest of the Himalaya. Between these
extremes lie the sal-dominated moist deciduous forest of eastern India; teak-dominated dry deciduous forest
of central and southern India; and the babul-dominated thorn forest of the central Deccan and western
Gangetic plain. Important Indian trees include the medicinal neem, widely used in rural Indian herbal
remedies. The pipal fig tree, shown on the seals of Mohenjo-daro, shaded the Gautama Buddha as he
sought enlightenment.

Many Indian species are descendants of taxa originating in Gondwana, to which India originally belonged.
Peninsular India's subsequent movement towards, and collision with, the Laurasian landmass set off a mass
exchange of species. However, volcanism and climatic changes 20 million years ago caused the extinction
of many endemic Indian forms. Soon thereafter, mammals entered India from Asia through two
zoogeographical passes on either side of the emerging Himalaya. As a result, among Indian species, only
12.6% of mammals and 4.5% of birds are endemic, contrasting with 45.8% of reptiles and 55.8% of
amphibians. Notable endemics are the Nilgiri leaf monkey and the brown and carmine Beddome's toad of
the Western Ghats. India contains 172, or 2.9%, of IUCN-designated threatened species. These include the
Asiatic lion, the Bengal tiger, and the Indian white-rumped vulture, which suffered a near-extinction from
ingesting the carrion of diclofenac-treated cattle.

In recent decades, human encroachment has posed a threat to India's wildlife; in response, the system of
national parks and protected areas, first established in 1935, was substantially expanded. In 1972, India
enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard crucial habitat; further federal protections
were promulgated in the 1980s. Along with over 500 wildlife sanctuaries, India now hosts 14 biosphere
reserves, four of which are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves; 25 wetlands are registered
under the Ramsar Convention. The varied and rich wildlife of India has had a profound impact on the
region's popular culture. Common name for wilderness in India is Jungle which was adopted by the British
colonialists to the English language. The word has been also made famous in The Jungle Book by Rudyard
Kipling. India's wildlife has been the subject of numerous other tales and fables such as the Panchatantra
and the Jataka tales.

The gradual emergence of the human beings as the most dominant species among all other species of
animals and the attempt of the human beings to set themselves apart from other species is the main
underlying cause of the contemporary environmental disaster. The main reason behind a threat to the
wildlife and the ecosystem is the constantly growing deforestation, poaching and negligence towards
animals and nature. The Indian Government has started nature projects like, Project Tiger, Nature Camps,
Jungle Lodges, etc. to encourage wildlife awareness among the common people. Besides preserving the
natural heritage, these projects also promote eco-tourism.

Various Projects:-
Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only existent habitation for the nearly extinct Asiatic Lions in India. The
Kaziranga Sanctuary in Assam is a major example of good effort to save the endangered Rhinoceros.
Similarly, Periyar in Kerala is doing a great job to preserve the wild Elephants and Dachigam National Park
is progressing rapidly to save Kashmiri Stag.

Wildlife Conservation in India occupies a total area of about 3.29 million sq. km. that contains floral and
faunal species, mammals, reptiles, insects and birds. The Wildlife Conservation in India has become the
most popular holiday destinations because of its diverseness. In India there are 571 sanctuaries and reserve
parks that are protected by the Indian Government, mainly meant for the protection of the extinct species of
animals and birds. Predators, Carnivores and Herbivores, - all are equally important to maintain the vital
ecological processes as nutrient and water cycling. India has over 500 animal sanctuaries, referred to as
Wildlife Sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV Protected Area). Among these, the 28 Tiger Reserves are governed
by Project Tiger, and are of special significance in the conservation of the tiger. Some wildlife sanctuaries
are specifically named Bird Sanctuary, eg. Keoladeo National Park before attained National Park status.

Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries. Wildlife sanctuaries of national importance to
conservation, usually due to some flagship faunal species, are named National Wildlife Sanctuary, like
national chambal (gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary for conserving the Gharial (1978).

Some of the important wildlife sanctuaries in India are:-

• Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh
• Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh
• Gir National Park & Sanctuary in Gujarat
• Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh
• Kaziranga National Park in Assam
• Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala
• Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan
• Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal
• Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir
• Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam

National Parks of India:-

India's first national park (an IUCN category II protected area) was established in 1935 as Hailey National
Park, now known as Jim Corbett National Park. By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India
enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant
species. Further federal legislation strengthening protections for wildlife was introduced in the 1980s. As of
April 2007, there are 96 national parks. All national park lands encompass a combined 38,029.18 km²,
1.16% of India's total surface area. A total of 166 national parks have been authorized. Plans are underway
to establish the remaining scheduled parks.

Biosphere Reserves:-
The term ‘Biosphere Reserve' should denote an area:
• Which is, set aside for the conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the
relationship between man and the environment;
• Which is, to serve as sites for long term scientific research as well as education all over the world.

List of National Parks:-

• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park-Assam

• Desert National Park-Rajasthan
• Dachigam National Park-Jammu and Kashmir
• Corbett National Park-Uttarakhand
• Chandoli National Park-Maharashtra
• Campbell Bay National Park-Andaman and Nicobar
• Anshi National Park-Karnataka
• Balphakram National Park-Meghalaya
• Bandhavgarh National Park-Madhya Pradesh
• Bandipur National Park-Karnataka
• Bannerghatta National Park-Karnataka
• Vansda National Park-Gujarat
• Betla National Park-Jharkhand
• Bhitarkanika National Park-Orissa
• Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar-Gujarat
• Buxa Tiger Reserve-West Bengal
• Fossil National Park-Madhya Pradesh
• Great Himalayan National Park-Himachal Pradesh
• Indira Gandhi National Park (Annamalai National Park)- Tamil Nadu
• Dudhwa National Park-Uttar Pradesh
• Intanki National Park-Nagaland
• Guindy National Park-Tamil Nadu
• Govind Pashu Vihar-Uttarakhand
• Kaziranga National Park-Assam
• Khangchendzonga National Park-Sikkim
• Kishtwar National Park-Jammu and Kashmir
• Van Vihar National Park-Madhya Pradesh
• Kanha National Park-Madhya Pradesh
• Mollem National Park-Goa
• Mount Harriet National Park-Andaman and Nicobar

The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under the 'Man & Biosphere' (MAB) programme by
UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions
to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized,
nominated by National Governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are
located. Biosphere Reserves serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing out and demonstrating
integrated management of land, water and biodiversity (CES., UNESCO, 2005., IUCN, 1979).

List of Biosphere Reserves

• Achanakmar-Amarkanta- Madhya Pradesh & Chhattishgarh
• Agasthyamalai- Kerala
• Dehang-Debang- Arunachal Pradesh
• Dibru-Saikhowa- Assam
• Great Nicobar- Andaman and Nicobar
• Gulf of Mannar - Tamil Nadu
• Khangchenjunga – Sikkim
• Manas- Assam
• Nanda Devi-Uttaranchal
• Nilgiri -Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka
• Nokrek-Meghalaya
• Pachmarhi -Madhya Pradesh
• Simlipal-Orissa
• Sunder bans-West Bengal

IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) is an international
organization dedicated to natural resource conservation.Founded in 1948, its headquarters is located in the
Lake Geneva area in Gland, Switzerland.

The IUCN brings together 83 states, 108 government agencies, 766 Non-governmental organizations and
81 international organizations and about 10,000 experts and scientists from countries around the world.
IUCN's mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity
and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically
sustainable.

Biosphere Reserve Objectives:-

Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfill three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually
reinforcing:
• A conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and
genetic variation;

• A development function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and
ecologically sustainable;
• A logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange
related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development (UNESCO, 2005).

The Indian government has established 15 Biosphere Reserves of India, (categories roughly corresponding
to IUCN Category V Protected areas), which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or
Animal Sanctuary), and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along buffer zones that
are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected
region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. Four of the
fifteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO
Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.

• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
• Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

Conservation of wildlife in India:-

The need for conservation of wildlife in India is often questioned because of the apparently incorrect priority
in the face of dire poverty of the people. However Article 48 of the Constitution of India specifies that "the
state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the
country" and Article 51-A states that "it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the
natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures."

Large and charismatic mammals are important for wildlife tourism in India and several national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries cater to these needs. Project Tiger started in 1972 is a major effort to conserve the tiger
and its habitats. At the turn of the 20th century, one estimate of the tiger population in India placed the figure
at 40,000, yet an Indian tiger census conducted in 1972 revealed the existence of only 1827 tigers. Various
pressures in the later part of the 20th century led to the progressive decline of wilderness resulting in the
disturbance of viable tiger habitats. At the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) General Assembly meeting in Delhi in 1969, serious concern was voiced about the threat
to several species of wildlife and the shrinkage of wilderness in the India. In 1970, a national ban on tiger
hunting was imposed and in 1972 the Wildlife Protection Act came into force. The framework was then set
up to formulate a project for tiger conservation with an ecological approach.

Project Tiger which was launched on April 1, 1973, has become one of the most successful conservation
ventures in modern history. The project aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted 'tiger reserves'
which are representative of various bio-geographical regions falling within India. It strives to maintain a
viable tiger population in their natural environment. Today, there are 27 Project Tiger wildlife reserves in
India covering an area of 37,761 km².Project Elephant, though less known, started in 1992 and works for
elephant protection in India. Most of India's rhinos today survive in the Kaziranga National Park. The wildlife
institute of India (WII) is a government institution run by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and
Education which trains wildlife managers and wildlife researchers.

Trained personnel from WII have contributed in studying and protecting wildlife in India. WII has also
popularized wildlife studies and careers. The institute is based in Dehradun, India. It is located in
Chandrabani, which is close to the southern forests of Dehradun. The Indian Council of Forestry Research
and Education also runs the Forest Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Forest Management

Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 :-

In 1972 by the Government of India. Prior to 1972, India only had five designated national parks. Among
other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or otherwise
harvesting these species was largely outlawed.

The Act provides for the protection of Wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or
ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir
which has its own wildlife act. It has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection, with absolute
protection being provided under Schedule I and part II of schedule II with the highest penalties prescribed for
offences under these schedules and Species listed in the Sch. IV are also protected but the penalties are
much lower, with the enforcement authorities having the power to compound offences (as in they impose
fines on the offenders).
 Swine Flu

Attack Of New Virus H1N1

New cases of the deadly swine flu virus have been confirmed in April 2009 as far afield as New Zealand and
Israel, as the UN warned it can not be contained.The US, Canada, Spain and Britain confirmed cases earlier
but no deaths have been reported outside Mexico, where the virus was first reported. Mexico has raised the
number of probable deaths to 152, with 1,614 suspected sufferers under observation. UN inspectors
examined reports pig farms may have spread the virus. The UN's health agency, the World Health
Organization (WHO), confirmed that the flu had been transmitted between humans. Countries with
suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea, and seven EU states is being
transmitted from human to human.Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

WHO PANDEMIC ALERT:

The EU said patients were also under observation in Denmark, Sweden, Greece, the Czech Republic,
Germany, Italy and Ireland. Tests carried out on people in Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia and South
Korea. A number of countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe have begun screening airport passengers
for symptoms, while Germany's biggest tour operator has suspended trips to Mexico. The UN's Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have send a team to Mexico to investigate rumours that people had been
falling ill near intensive pig farms. Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

The WHO raised its pandemic alert status to level four two levels from a full pandemic - after concluding
there had been sustained transmission between humans. Levels five and six reserved for when there is
widespread human infection. WHO said there were a number of cases in New York "which appear to be
human-to-human transmission".The UN body have encouraged countries to begin intensive surveillance of
possible infection and send as much information as possible to the WHO. In Mexico, swine flu has been
confirmed in 20 of the 152 known deaths. In almost all cases outside Mexico, people have been only mildly
ill and have made a full recovery. Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

Flu eins on their surface called antigens. If the immune system has met a particular strain of the virus
before, it is likely to have some immunity; but if the antigens are new to the immune system, it will be
weakened. The influenza A virus can mutate in two different ways; antigenic drift, in which existing antigens
are subtly altered, and antigenic shift, in which two or more strains combine. Antigenic drift causes slight flu
mutations year on year, from which humans have partial, but not complete, immunity. By contrast, the new
strain of H1N1 appears to have originated via antigenic shift in Mexican pigs

The name "swine flu" is a slight misnomer as it is believed pigs acted as a mixing pot for several flu strains,
containing genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. Most humans have never been exposed to some
of the antigens involved in the new strain of flu, giving it the potential to cause a pandemic. The new virus
has made the jump from pigs to humans and has demonstrated it can also pass from human to human. This
is why it is demanding so much attention from health authorities. The virus passes from human to human
like other types of flu, either through coughing, sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces, although little is
known about how the virus acts on humans.
The new virus has made the jump from pigs to humans and has demonstrated it can also pass from human
to human. This is why it is demanding so much attention from health authorities. The virus passes from
human to human like other types of flu, either through coughing, sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces,
although little is known about how the virus acts on humans. Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

The name "swine flu" is a slight misnomer as it is believed pigs acted as a mixing pot for several flu strains,
containing genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. Most humans have never been exposed to some
of the antigens involved in the new strain of flu, giving it the potential to cause a pandemic.

The new virus has made the jump from pigs to humans and has demonstrated it can also pass from human
to human. This is why it is demanding so much attention from health authorities. The virus passes from
human to human like other types of flu, either through coughing, sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces,
although little is known about how the virus acts on humans. Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

WHAT IS SWINE FLU:

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A which infects pigs. There are many types, and
the infection is constantly changing. Until now it has not normally infected humans, but the latest form clearly
does, and can be spread from person to person - probably through coughing and sneezing. The World
Health Organization has confirmed that at least some of the human cases are a never-before-seen version
of the H1N1 strain of influenza type A. H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in
humans on a regular basis. But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is
typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine. Flu viruses have the ability to swap
genetic components with each other, and it seems likely that the new version of H1N1 resulted from a
mixing of different versions of the virus, which may usually affect different species, in the same animal host.
Pigs provide an excellent 'melting pot' for these viruses to mix and match with each other.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu. These
include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Most cases so far reported around the
world appear to be mild, but in Mexico lives have been lost. When any new strain of flu emerges that
acquires the ability to pass from person to person, it is monitored very closely in case it has the potential to
spark a global epidemic, or pandemic. The World Health Organization has warned that taken together the
Mexican and US cases could potentially trigger a global pandemic, and stress that the situation is serious.
However it is still too early to accurately assess the situation fully. Copyright © 2009
WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

Nobody knows the full potential impact of a pandemic, but experts have warned that it could cost millions of
lives worldwide. The Spanish flu pandemic, which began in 1918, and was also caused by an H1N1 strain,
killed millions of people. The fact that all the cases in the US and elsewhere have so far produced mild
symptoms is encouraging. It suggests that the severity of the Mexican outbreak may be due to an unusual
geographically-specific factor - possibly a second unrelated virus circulating in the community - which would
be unlikely to come into play in the rest of the world.
Alternatively, people infected in Mexico may have sought treatment at a much later stage than those in other
countries.

It may also be the case that the form of the virus circulating in Mexico is subtly different to that elsewhere -
although that will only be confirmed by laboratory analysis. There is also hope that, as humans are often
exposed to forms of H1N1 through seasonal flu, our immune systems may have something of a head start in
fighting infection. However, the fact that many of the victims are young does point to something unusual.
Normal, seasonal flu tends to affect the elderly disproportionately. Copyright © 2009
WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

The virus appears already to have started to spread around the world, and most experts believe that
containment of the virus in the era of readily available air travel will be extremely difficult.

According to World Health Organization that restricting flights will have little effect. It argues that screening
of passengers is also unlikely to have much impact, as symptoms may not be apparent in many infected
people. Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

HOW IT CAN BE HANDLED

Two drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, seem to be effective at treating cases that have
occurred there so far. However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective. Use of
these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others. It is unclear
how effective currently available flu vaccines would be at offering protection against the new strain, as it is
genetically distinct from other flu strains.

US scientists are already developing a bespoke new vaccine, but it may take months to perfect it, and
manufacture enough supplies to meet what could be huge demand. A vaccine was used to protect humans
from a version of swine flu in the US in 1976.However, it caused serious side effects, including an estimated
500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome. There were more deaths from the vaccine than the outbreak.

PRECAUTIONS:

• Anyone with flu-like symptoms who might have been in contact with the swine virus - such as those
living or travelling in the areas of Mexico that have been affected - should seek medical advice.

• But patients are being asked not to go into GP surgeries in order to minimise the risk of spreading
the disease to others. Instead, they should stay at home and call their healthcare provider for
advice. After the WHO raised its alert level over swine flu, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
began advising against all but essential travel to Mexico. Copyright © 2009
WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough. General
infection control practices and good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses,
including the human swine influenza. This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing
or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly.

• It is also important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the
virus from your hands to face or to other people and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles
frequently using a normal cleaning product. If caring for someone with a flu-like illness, a mask can
be worn to cover the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of transmission. Copyright © 2009
WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

• The UK is looking at increasing its stockpile of masks for healthcare workers for this reason. But
experts say there is no scientific evidence to support more general wearing of masks to guard
against infections. Although there is no evidence that swine flu can be transmitted through eating
meat from infected animals. However, it is essential to cook meat properly. A temperature of 70C
(158F) would be sure to kill the virus.

WHAT IS BIRD FLU:

• The strain of bird flu which has caused scores of human deaths in South East Asia in recent years
is a different strain to that responsible for the current outbreak of swine flu.

• The latest form of swine flu is a new type of the H1N1 strain, while bird, or avian flu, is H5N1.

• Experts fear H5N1 hold the potential to trigger a pandemic because of its ability to mutate rapidly.
However, up until now it has remained very much a disease of birds.

• Those humans who have been infected have, without exception, worked closely with birds, and
cases of human-to-human transmission are extremely rare - there is no suggestion that H5N1 has
gained the ability to pass easily from person to person.Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM
FLU PANDEMICS:

• In 1918 The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times.
Caused by a form of the H1N1 strain of flu, it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's population
were infected, and more than 50 million people died, with young adults particularly badly affected.

• In 1957 Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining
with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The impact of the pandemic was minimised by rapid
action by health authorities, who identified the virus, and made vaccine available speedily. The
elderly were particularly vulnerable.Copyright © 2009 WWW.UPSCPORTAL.COM

• In 1968 An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up
to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die.Copyright © 2009