BRIDGING JUSTICE GAPS: LEGAL AID FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY WILDLIFE CRIME NETWORKS IN INDIA

Indian rural communities are facing many obstacles with regards to managing wildlife crime and treating injustices that result when wildlife crime is committed in rural communities.The proximity of rural communities to forests often leads many to be subjected to wildlife traffickers; these rural residents are also limited in their ability to access legal services due to systematic inequality and lack of transparency with regard to the legal process.In this paper, analysis of the legal structure and institutional frameworks providing legal support to rural communities will be conducted and the limitations of the ability of rural communities to seek and obtain legal support will be identified.This paper will support the establishment of an inclusive, cooperative method for providing legal aid that includes the participation of the community and demonstrates cultural sensitivity.