Introduction

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is India’s principal legislation aimed at the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity. It provides a statutory framework to protect wild animals, plants, and their habitats, while regulating human activities that may threaten ecological balance.

Objectives of the Act

The Act seeks to:

• Prevent the extinction of endangered species
• Regulate and restrict hunting and poaching
• Control trade and commerce in wildlife and animal derivatives
• Establish and manage Protected Areas for in-situ conservation
• Promote a sustainable relationship between humans and wildlife

Scope and Definition of Wildlife

Under the Act, wildlife broadly includes:

• Terrestrial and aquatic animals
• Birds, reptiles, amphibians
• Fish, insects, crustaceans, butterflies and moths
• Aquatic and terrestrial plants forming part of a natural habitat

Institutional Framework

Wildlife Advisory Board

• Constituted at the state level
• Advises governments on:
  • Declaration and management of sanctuaries and national parks
  • Wildlife conservation policies
  • Amendments to schedules
  • Balancing conservation needs with interests of forest-dependent communities

Chief Wildlife Warden

• Principal authority for implementation and enforcement
• Responsible for control, management, and protection of wildlife
• Grants special permissions in exceptional circumstances

Central Zoo Authority

• Constituted by the Central Government
• Regulates and monitors zoos across India
• Ensures ethical standards and conservation-oriented management of captive animals

Schedules under the Act (Original Structure)

Schedule I and Schedule II (Part II)

• Species requiring highest degree of protection
• Offences attract stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines
• Examples include flagship and endangered species

Schedule III and Schedule IV

• Protected species facing lower extinction risk
• Penalties comparatively less severe than Schedule I and II

Schedule V

• Species classified as vermin
• Traditionally permitted to be hunted under legal provisions

Schedule VI

• Covers protected plant species
• Regulates cultivation, possession, and trade

Provisions Related to Hunting

• General prohibition on hunting of animals listed in Schedules I–IV
• Limited permissions may be granted when:
  • An animal poses a threat to human life or property
  • An animal is diseased or beyond recovery
• Special permits allowed for scientific research, education, wildlife management, or zoological purposes

Protected Areas under the Act

Wildlife Sanctuaries

• Declared by State Governments
• Areas of ecological, faunal, floral, or zoological importance
• Certain regulated human activities may be permitted

National Parks

• Declared with higher protection status
• Boundaries cannot be altered without legislative approval
• Prohibited activities include:
  • Hunting and grazing
  • Habitat destruction
  • Removal or exploitation of forest produce

Ownership of Wildlife

• All wild animals, trophies, and animal products (except vermin) are deemed property of the State
• Illegal possession, trade, or transfer constitutes a punishable offence

Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2021

Key Reforms

• Strengthened implementation of CITES
• Rationalised schedules from six to four
• Empowered government to regulate invasive alien species
• Introduced mandatory registration of live scheduled animals
• Increased monetary penalties to enhance deterrence
• Mandated Gram Sabha consultation for sanctuary management in scheduled areas
• Allowed voluntary surrender of captive animals and wildlife products
• Permitted commercial trade in live elephants under specified conditions

Revised Schedule Structure

• Schedule I: Highest protection
• Schedule II: Lower protection
• Schedule III: Protected plant species
• Schedule IV: CITES-listed species

Significance of the Act

• Forms the legal backbone of wildlife conservation in India
• Facilitated expansion of the Protected Area network
• Aligned domestic conservation law with international environmental commitments
• Strengthened enforcement against wildlife crime
• Encouraged participatory and community-based conservation approaches

Limitations and Challenges

• Enforcement gaps and illegal wildlife trade
• Incomplete alignment with IUCN threat categories
• Limited coverage of migratory species
• Human–wildlife conflict concerns
• Data deficiencies for several indigenous species

Conclusion

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 remains a cornerstone of India’s environmental governance. While it has significantly strengthened wildlife conservation, its success ultimately depends on effective enforcement, scientific input, community participation, and adaptive reforms to address emerging ecological challenges.