India's protected areas are just 4.79%. Secure them at all cost: Belinda Wright

We know that the volume of illegal trade in some of these lesser-known species is huge. For example, between 2000 and 2013, nearly 21,000 star tortoises were seized by the customs department in Chennai alone. One of the biggest seizures of monitor lizard skins took place in Bangalore in July 2002, when 27,800 skins were seized. Freshwater turtles and tortoises are also being badly hit: from 2003 to 2013, a staggering 42,905 turtles and tortoises were seized in Uttar Pradesh.

What does India need to do to better protect its wildlife from trafficking?

First and foremost, we need an intelligence-led approach to wildlife crime, including dedicated teams to gather information on crime and criminals, and to investigate cases. The focus needs to be on prevention. State governments need to fill staff vacancies, particularly in protected areas and provide specialised training and better facilities and motivation to field staff. The investigation, documentation and prosecution of court cases also needs to be enhanced, and repeat offenders monitored. On the national front, we need better surveillance along our porous borders, and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau should be strengthened with legal powers and human and technical resources.

India is on the brink of approving the Ken-Betwa river link, which will submerge parts of Panna tiger reserve. And widening NH-7 affects tigers from Pench. The Supreme Court has held that development is more important than tiger conservation. Would you agree?

India, and the world, is facing a crisis with loss of biodiversity and climate change, not to mention a shortage of water. India's protected areas cover only 4.79% of the geographical area. We need to secure and protect these areas at all cost for the well being of the future of India.

At his speech at the 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation on 12 April this year, the prime minister talked about the "destruction of ecosystems". He said, "By protecting the tiger, we protect the entire ecosystem and the ecological services, which are equally crucial for the well being of human beings." I have the highest regard for the Honourable Supreme Court and, of course, development is important. But I believe that every effort should have been made not to widen a highway through Pench reserve or submerge a large part of Panna reserve when there are alternatives.

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