Wildlife protection act 1972

Introduction

Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was passed on August 21, 1972, but was later implemented on September 9, 1972. This act prohibits the capturing, killing, poisoning or trapping of wild animals It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Objectives

Prohibition of hunting
Protection and management of wildlife habitats
Establishment of Protected Areas Regulation and control of trade in parts and products derived from wildlife
Management of zoos

What does this act include?

Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (WLPA) prohibits the injuring, destroying and removing any part of a wild animals body
In the case of wild birds and reptiles, the act also forbids disturbing or damaging their eggs
WLPA is also against taxidermy,which is the preservation of a dead wild animal as a trophy, or in the form of rugs, preserved skins, antlers, horns, eggs, teeth, and nails

Punishments under the Act

Penalties for any violation under this act can be carried out by agencies like:

The Police
The Central Bureau of Investigation
The forest department
The customs

Charge sheets are filed by the Forest Department and other agencies who encounter violators, then usually hand over their case to the Forest Department.

Wildlife Protection Amendment Act 2002

This amendment for this act was made in 2002 but came into force in January 2003 and under it, the punishment for defaulters is harsher.

If someone is caught in the process of trade of animal trophies and other articles derived from wild animals they will be subjected to three years of imprisonment and/or a fine of Rs. 25,000/-

Wildlife Protection Amendment Act 2006

The act was amended in the year 2006 and its purpose is to strengthen the conservation of tigers and other endangered species by combating crimes against them through the special Crime Control Bureau.

The Wild Life Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2013

The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2013 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2013. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Forests. The Bill seeks to amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. This Act provides for the protection and conservation of wild animals, birds and Plants. It also covers the management of their habitats and regulation and control of trade or commerce linked to wild life.

According to the government, India is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and amendments to the Act are necessary for India to fulfil its obligations under the CITES. The key amendments made by the Bill are:

The manufacture, sale, transport or use of animal traps except for educational and scientific purposes (with permission) is prohibited.

Under the Act, destruction, exploitation or removal of any wildlife including forest produce from a sanctuary is not permitted, except with a permit. The amendment allows certain activities such as grazing or movement of Livestock, bona fide use of drinking and household water by local communities, and hunting under a permit.

Provisions to regulate international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora as per the CITES have been inserted. A schedule listing out flora and fauna for purposes of regulation of international trade under CITES has been added.

The Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau has been changed to the Wild life Crime Control Bureau.

The term of punishment and fines for commission of offences under the Act have been increased.

The Bill protects the hunting rights of Scheduled Tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Withdrawal of the amendment bill

In the year 2015, Prakash Javadekar asked to withdraw the amendment bill to further amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and announced a lot of changes which needs to be made before actually implementing it. These changes were announced in Rajya Sabha.,

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an act to provide for the protection of wild animals and birds, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act covers the following sub topics:

Definitions
Protection of wild animals
Protection of birds
Hunting and trapping
Trade in wild animals and birds
Possession of wild animals and birds
Establishment of sanctuaries and national parks
Control of zoos and other institutions
Offences and penalties
Cognizance of offences
Powers of authorities
Protection of officers
Offences by companies
Saving of existing laws
Power to make rules
Repeal and saving
Short title and commencement.

The Act defines a wild animal as any animal which is not domesticated and includes any animal which is found in the wild state in any part of India. A bird is defined as any member of the class Aves, excluding domesticated birds. Hunting is defined as the killing, capturing, trapping, poisoning, snaring, or otherwise harming any wild animal. Trapping is defined as the act of setting a trap for the purpose of catching any wild animal. Trade in wild animals and birds is defined as the buying, selling, bartering, or exchanging of any wild animal or bird. Possession of a wild animal or bird is defined as the keeping, harboring, or using of any wild animal or bird.

The Act prohibits the hunting, trapping, trade, and possession of certain wild animals and birds. It also prohibits the establishment of zoos and other institutions without the permission of the Central Government. The Act provides for the establishment of sanctuaries and national parks for the protection of wild animals and birds. It also provides for the control of zoos and other institutions.

The Act prescribes penalties for offences under the Act. The penalties include imprisonment, fine, or both. The Act also provides for the cognizance of offences by the courts. The Act empowers the authorities to take certain measures for the protection of wild animals and birds. These measures include the power to enter and search any premises, the power to seize any wild animal or bird, and the power to arrest any person who is found to be in contravention of the Act.

The Act provides for the protection of officers who are acting in good faith under the Act. The Act also provides for the punishment of companies for offences under the Act. The Act saves the operation of any existing law which is not inconsistent with the Act. The Act empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the provisions of the Act. The Act repeals the Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1912. The Act comes into force on the date appointed by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is a comprehensive law that provides for the protection of wild animals and birds in India. The Act has been amended several times since its enactment. The latest amendment was made in 2002. The Act has been successful in protecting many wild animals and birds from extinction. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure the long-term survival of these species.

One of the major challenges is the poaching of wild animals. Poaching is the illegal killing of wild animals for their meat, fur, or other body parts. Poaching is a major threat to many wild animal populations. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, prohibits poaching and prescribes severe penalties for those who are found guilty of poaching. However, poaching continues to be a major problem in India.

Another challenge is the loss of habitat. Habitat loss is the destruction or degradation of the natural environment in which wild animals live. Habitat loss is caused by a number of factors, including deforestation, Urbanization, and agriculture. Habitat loss is a major threat to many wild animal populations. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, prohibits the destruction of wild animal habitat. However, habitat loss continues to be a major problem in India.

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is an important law that has helped to protect wild animals and birds in India. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed in order to ensure the long-term survival of these species. Poaching and habitat loss are two of the major challenges that need to be addressed. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, can play a major role in addressing these challenges. However, the Act needs to be implemented effectively in order to be successful.

What is the Wildlife Protection Act?
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an act to provide for the protection of wild animals and birds and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

What are the objectives of the Wildlife Protection Act?
The objectives of the Wildlife Protection Act are to:

Protect wild animals and birds
Promote the conservation of wildlife
Regulate the use of wildlife Resources
Promote the sustainable use of wildlife resources
Promote research on wildlife
Educate the public about wildlife conservation

What are the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act?
The Wildlife Protection Act provides for the following:

A list of protected species of wild animals and birds
A list of prohibited acts, such as hunting, killing, trapping, and trading of wild animals and birds
A system of permits and licenses for the use of wildlife resources
A system of penalties for violations of the Act
A system of enforcement of the Act

What are the benefits of the Wildlife Protection Act?
The Wildlife Protection Act has the following benefits:

It helps to protect wild animals and birds from extinction
It helps to promote the conservation of wildlife
It helps to regulate the use of wildlife resources
It helps to promote the sustainable use of wildlife resources
It helps to promote research on wildlife
It helps to educate the public about wildlife conservation

What are the challenges of the Wildlife Protection Act?
The Wildlife Protection Act faces the following challenges:

Poaching
Habitat loss
Climate change
Human-wildlife conflict
Lack of awareness about the Act
Lack of resources for enforcement of the Act

What can be done to address the challenges of the Wildlife Protection Act?
The following can be done to address the challenges of the Wildlife Protection Act:

Increased law enforcement
Increased public awareness
Increased funding for conservation
Increased habitat protection
Increased research on wildlife
Increased cooperation between government agencies and NGOs

What is the future of the Wildlife Protection Act?
The future of the Wildlife Protection Act is uncertain. The Act is facing many challenges, but it is also making progress. It is important to continue to support the Act and to work to address the challenges it faces.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a Schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

(A) Schedule I
(B) Schedule II
(C) Schedule III
(D) Schedule IV

Answer

(D) Schedule IV

Explanation

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is an act of the Parliament of India enacted to provide for the protection of wild animals and birds, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act has five Schedules, which list the animals and birds that are protected under the Act. Schedule I lists the most endangered animals, Schedule II lists the endangered animals, Schedule III lists the less endangered animals, Schedule IV lists the birds that are protected under the Act, and Schedule V lists the plants that are protected under the Act.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a provision of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

(A) It prohibits the hunting of wild animals.
(B) It prohibits the trade of wild animals and their products.
(C) It prohibits the possession of wild animals and their products.
(D) It prohibits the captive breeding of wild animals.

Answer

(D) It prohibits the captive breeding of wild animals.

Explanation

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, does not prohibit the captive breeding of wild animals. In fact, the Act encourages the captive breeding of wild animals in order to increase their numbers and to reduce the pressure on their natural habitats. However, the captive breeding of wild animals must be done in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules made thereunder.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a punishment for violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

(A) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.
(B) Fine which may extend to â¹25,000.
(C) Both imprisonment and fine.
(D) Confiscation of the animal or bird involved in the violation.

Answer

(A) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.

Explanation

The punishment for violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or fine which may extend to â¹25,000, or both. In some cases, the punishment may be more severe, such as imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, or fine which may extend to â¹50,000, or both.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a power of the Central Government under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

(A) To make rules for the implementation of the Act.
(B) To issue directions to the State Governments for the implementation of the Act.
(C) To declare any area to be a sanctuary or a National Park.
(D) To grant permission for the hunting of wild animals.

Answer

(D) To grant permission for the hunting of wild animals.

Explanation

The Central Government does not have the power to grant permission for the hunting of wild animals. This power is vested in the State Governments. The State Governments can grant permission for the hunting of wild animals only in exceptional circumstances, such as when the Population of a particular species of wild animal has increased to such an extent that it is causing damage to the environment or to human life and property.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a duty of the State Governments under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

(A) To enforce the provisions of the Act.
(B) To establish and maintain sanctuaries and national parks.
(C) To provide for the protection of wild animals and birds.
(D) To promote the captive breeding of wild animals.

Answer

(D) To promote the captive breeding of wild animals.

Explanation

The State Governments do not have the duty to promote the captive breeding of wild animals. This duty is vested in the Central Government. The Central Government can promote the captive breeding of wild animals by providing financial assistance to zoos and other institutions that are engaged in the captive breeding of wild animals.