New Delhi, July 13 - Admitting that the penalties for poaching were 'laughable', the government Monday said it was hoping for 'comprehensive' amendments in the law to make it more stringent.

'Poaching is a serious issue but the penalties are laughable,' Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said during question hour in the Rajya Sabha.

'We are looking at comprehensive amendments in the law to make the punishment more stringent,' he added.

In this context, he lamented that there had been 'no action yet' in two high profile cases, one involving Bollywood star Salman Khan and the other former Indian cricket captain and nawab of Pataudi Mansoor Ali Khan.

Both are accused of having poached blackbucks, which are venerated by the tribals in parts of Rajasthan and Haryana.