WPSI’s Legal Programme aims at strengthening wildlife laws and their implementation through research and advocacy. At the policy level, WPSI engages and interacts with Government ministries and departments, to improve wildlife law and its implementation. At the ground level, WPSI provides wildlife law enforcement training to Forest Department and Police personnel, as part of its enforcement workshops.

From its inception, WPSI has also involved itself in the court process. The Indian judiciary has been a pillar of strength, and often the last resort for conservationists fighting the myriad threats facing India’s forests and wildlife. WPSI’s involvement in the judicial process can be broadly divided under two heads:

Wildlife Crime:
Under Indian law, only the State is authorised to prosecute criminals so WPSI provides Public Prosecutors with support and assistance. In an effort to economise and improve our legal focus, WPSI is selective about interventions in the court process. In general, interventions are determined by the strategic importance of the offender involved. Exceptions are made when enforcement authorities request support for the prosecution of cases. WPSI’s level of involvement varies from case to case. WPSI Lawyers attend hearings and keep track of the developments, assist public prosecutors with research and advice, and in some cases are appointed Special Public Prosecutors by the concerned enforcement agency.
 
WPSI’s lawyer in Katni, Ms Manjula Shrivastava, deserves special mention. In 2008 alone, she was instrumental in the conviction of a total of 43 wildlife criminals, including 5 cases involving Schedule I species.

Public Interest Litigations:
WPSI has filed cases in State High Courts and the Supreme Court of India on a number of conservation issues, including habitat protection and the implementation of endangered animal protection laws. 

Please send any queries relating to wildlife law or the WPSI Legal Programme to avinash@wpsi-india.org

Click here to view brief details of some of our important recent cases.