There is a whopping rise in environmental crimes across the globe. Be it in the name of development or modernization, the issue sustains to be the most neglected and dreadful in the history of mankind. The main problem is that we humans are insignificant and ignorant of whatever is going in and around the world.

Unfortunately few environmental crimes have turned out to be the most profitable criminal activities in the world, earning huge revenues to the government. Environmental crime every year generates between USD 110 and 281 billion in illicit profits. As such crimes have no boundaries; smuggling of rare wildlife becomes easy for few. Some of the common environmental crimes include animal trafficking, forest logging, aqua life finning, electronic waste mismanagement, etc.

According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)’s Crime Statistics Report for 2017, these offenses this year saw a huge rise in India. Data released on October 21st, 2019 reports that crime rates increased from 4,732 in 2016 to 42,143 in 2017. There is almost 790% increase in just 365 days.

Tamil Nadu with 49.6% hits the list with its contribution to the increase in environmental crimes, followed by Rajasthan (24%) and Kerala (16%). In most cases tobacco products and smoking escalate such crimes, claiming 70% of the contribution. Whereas, plastic use and dumping of plastic products into the rivers too ignite these crimes.

The number of offenses crops up under the Indian Forest Act, 1927/Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is 3,016, Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 is 29,659, and the Noise Pollution Acts (State/ Central) is 8,423.

Environment related crimes in India, 2016-2017:

  2016 2017
The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 NA   29659
Noise Pollution Acts (State/ Central) NA 8423
The Forest Act & The Forest Conservation Act, 1927 3715   3016
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 859 826  
The Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 122 171  
The Air (1981) & The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974                           36 36  
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 NA 12  
Environment & Pollution – Related Acts (Total) 4732 42143  

Source: National Crime Record Bureau, 2017

The statistics above shown is enough to scare us, but by the time we will realise what’s going wrong with the earth, it will be too late. The present generation today, is pushing the future to the zenith of darkness where the Earth will be left with nothingness.

Amazon fire, Delhi air pollution, China’s toxic smog, deforestation, untimely flood are the few aftereffects we are paying less heed to.  By destroying flora and fauna, forests and aqua life, for mere profit will soon turn out to be a massive disaster where there will be no way out for us.