Objectives Of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

• India’s primary legislation for wildlife conservation; enacted to address poaching, habitat loss and unregulated wildlife trade.
• Provides a uniform legal framework across states for protection of wildlife and habitats.
• Objectives include:
  • Protecting endangered and threatened species
  • Regulating hunting
  • Controlling trade in wildlife and wildlife products
  • Establishing protected areas (sanctuaries, national parks, conservation reserves)
• Defines “wildlife’’ broadly to include animals, insects, fish, crustaceans, and vegetation forming part of any habitat.

Institutional Structure and Protected Areas

• Wildlife Advisory Board constituted in every state to advise on:
  • Selection of sanctuaries, national parks and closed areas
  • Policy for wildlife conservation
  • Amendments to schedules and balancing rights of forest dwellers
• Wildlife Sanctuaries:
  • Declared by state government for ecological or zoological importance.
• National Parks:
  • Declared by state; stricter protection than sanctuaries.
  • Boundary changes require state legislature resolution.
  • Prohibits grazing, habitat alteration, extraction, and destruction of wildlife.
• Central Zoo Authority:
  • Ensures scientific management of zoos; members have 3-year terms.

Schedules and Species Regulation

• Original Act had six schedules with graded protection:
  • Schedule I & II: Highest protection; offences punishable with 1–6 years’ imprisonment + minimum ₹5,000 fine.
  • Schedule III & IV: Moderate protection; lower penalties.
  • Schedule V: Vermin species that may be hunted with a licence.
  • Schedule VI: Protects and regulates specified plant species.
• All hunted, captured, found-dead or captive-bred wildlife (except vermin) become property of the State Government.
• Wildlife or trophies from Central Government–notified national parks/sanctuaries belong to the Central Government.

Hunting Rules, Trade Restrictions and Enforcement Issues

• Hunting of animals in Schedules I–IV prohibited unless permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW).
• CWW may allow hunting only when an animal is:
  • Dangerous to human life or property
  • Terminally ill, injured or beyond recovery
• Special permits may be issued for:
  • Education
  • Scientific research
  • Museum/zoological collection
• Enforcement challenges include:
  • Weak implementation and corruption leading to illegal wildlife trade
  • Misalignment with CITES species lists
  • No special status for IUCN-listed threatened species
  • Insufficient data on many indigenous species
  • Migratory species not fully protected
  • Some provisions aggravate human–wildlife conflict

Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2021: Key Features

• Aligns Act with CITES; adds a special schedule for CITES-listed species.
• Rationalises schedules from six to four:
  • Schedule I – Highest protection
  • Schedule II – Lesser protection
  • Schedule III – Protected plants
  • Schedule IV – CITES-regulated specimens
• Penalties strengthened:
  • General fine increased from ₹25,000 → ₹1,00,000
  • Protection-related violation fines increased from ₹10,000 → minimum ₹25,000
• Mandatory registration for anyone possessing live specimens.
• The government is empowered to regulate or prohibit invasive alien species.
• Authorises creation of conservation reserves near sanctuaries/national parks.
• Management plans in Scheduled Areas require Gram Sabha consultation.
• Allows voluntary surrender of wildlife items without compensation.
• Introduces major change: permits commercial trade in live elephants by exempting them from Section 43 prohibitions.
• Over 650 protected areas have been created under the Act.
• 2021 amendment strengthens species protection, improves compliance with global norms, and enhances community participation.

Way Forward

• Better alignment with international conservation standards
• Stronger enforcement and anti-poaching measures
• Clearer definition of invasive alien species
• Expert-led identification and prioritisation of threatened species
• Region-specific ecological planning