38Y. Constitution of ³ [Wild Life] Crime Control Bureau.—

The Central Government may, for the purposes of this Act, by order published in the Official Gazette, constitute a ⁴*** Wildlife Crime Control Bureau consisting of—

(a) the Director of Wildlife Preservation—Director ex officio;

(b) the Inspector-General of Police—Additional Director;

(c) the Deputy Inspector-General of Police—Joint Director;

(d) the Deputy Inspector-General of Forests—Joint Director;

(e) the Additional Commissioner (Customs and 5 [Central Goods and Services Tax]—Joint Director; and

(f) such other officers as may be appointed from amongst the officers covered under sections 3 and 4 of this Act.

(2. Subs. by s. 20, ibid., for “TIGER AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES” (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).

(3. Subs. by s. 21, ibid., for “Tiger and other Endangered Species” (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).

(4. The words “Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau to be known as the” omitted by s. 21, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4- 2023).

(5. Subs. by s. 21, ibid., for “Central Excise” (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).

38Z. Powers and functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.—

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau shall take measures with respect to—

(i) collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action, so as to apprehend the criminals and to establish a centralised wildlife crime data bank;

(ii) co-ordination of actions by various officers, State Governments and other authorities in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Act, either directly or through regional and border units set up by the Bureau;

(iii) implementation of obligations under the various international Conventions and protocols that are in force at present or which may be ratified or acceded to by India in future;

(iv) assistance to concerned authorities in foreign countries and concerned international organisations to facilitate co-ordination and universal action for wildlife crime control;

(v) develop infrastructure and capacity building for scientific and professional investigation into wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes;

(vi) advice the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, and suggest changes required in relevant policy and laws from time to time.

(2) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau shall exercise—

(i) such powers as may be delegated to it under sub-section (1) of section 5, sub-sections (1) and (8) of section 50 and section 55 of this Act; and

(ii) such other powers as may be prescribed.]