Why In News?

• Recently a sessions court in Rajasthan has ordered the payment of half of the fine amount, in a chinkara killing case, to the informer as a prize.

Chinkara(Indian Gazelle):

=> The chinkara (Gazella bennettii), also known as the Indian gazelle, is a gazelle species native to India,Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

=> State animal:Rajasthan.

=> Habitat: Arid plains and hills, deserts, dry scrub and light forests.

• They inhabit more than 80 protected areas in India.

=> Diet: They are herbivores (folivores, frugivores). They feed on grasses, different leaves, and fruits (melon, pumpkin). These gazelles can go without water for many days and can get fluids from plants they feed on and dew.

=> Most active time: Chinkara prefer to feed at nighttime and are most active just before the sunset and during the night.

=> Population: In India (in 2011) there were more than 100,000 animals with 80,000 animals living in the Thar Desert.

=> Threat: Over hunting for meat and habitat loss due to agricultural and industrial expansion, and overgrazing.

=> Conservation Status: IUCN - Least Concern (LC) It is  protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Verdict and Justification:

• The court fined the convict under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, for killing a chinkara.
• The act declares the hunting of scheduled species of wild animals a serious offense.
• Section 55(c) of the Wildlife Protection Act empowered the court to take cognisance of an offense on the complaint of a private person.
• Article 51A (g) of the Constitution had laid down that the protection of wildlife and having compassion for living creatures was a fundamental duty of the citizens.