Wildlife Protection Act | Environment for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 
Page 2


 
 
WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 
INTRODUCTION 
The Wild Life (The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of 
the Parliament of India enacted for protection of plants and 
animal species.  
Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks.  
Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected 
plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was 
largely outlawed.  
In 1971, 1800 tigers were present in Indian subcontinent (in 1971 Delhi High court 
banned tiger hunting). 
The number of tiger increased to 2,226 in 2014.
 
The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; 
and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental 
thereto. 
When this Act was passed the wildlife protection subject was in State 
List and states were empowered to make law on it.  
The Parliament passed this Act using provisions in Article 252 of the 
Constitution.  
 
 
Page 3


 
 
WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 
INTRODUCTION 
The Wild Life (The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of 
the Parliament of India enacted for protection of plants and 
animal species.  
Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks.  
Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected 
plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was 
largely outlawed.  
In 1971, 1800 tigers were present in Indian subcontinent (in 1971 Delhi High court 
banned tiger hunting). 
The number of tiger increased to 2,226 in 2014.
 
The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; 
and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental 
thereto. 
When this Act was passed the wildlife protection subject was in State 
List and states were empowered to make law on it.  
The Parliament passed this Act using provisions in Article 252 of the 
Constitution.  
 
 
It extends to the whole of India. 
 It has six schedules which give varying degrees of 
protection.  
Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide 
absolute protection - offences under these are 
prescribed the highest penalties.  
Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are 
also protected, but the penalties are much 
lower. 
 Schedule V includes the animals which may be 
hunted.  
The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are 
prohibited from cultivation and planting. 
Page 4


 
 
WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 
INTRODUCTION 
The Wild Life (The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of 
the Parliament of India enacted for protection of plants and 
animal species.  
Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks.  
Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected 
plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was 
largely outlawed.  
In 1971, 1800 tigers were present in Indian subcontinent (in 1971 Delhi High court 
banned tiger hunting). 
The number of tiger increased to 2,226 in 2014.
 
The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; 
and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental 
thereto. 
When this Act was passed the wildlife protection subject was in State 
List and states were empowered to make law on it.  
The Parliament passed this Act using provisions in Article 252 of the 
Constitution.  
 
 
It extends to the whole of India. 
 It has six schedules which give varying degrees of 
protection.  
Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide 
absolute protection - offences under these are 
prescribed the highest penalties.  
Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are 
also protected, but the penalties are much 
lower. 
 Schedule V includes the animals which may be 
hunted.  
The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are 
prohibited from cultivation and planting. 
Page 5


 
 
WILD LIFE PROTECTION ACT 
INTRODUCTION 
The Wild Life (The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is an Act of 
the Parliament of India enacted for protection of plants and 
animal species.  
Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks.  
Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected 
plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was 
largely outlawed.  
In 1971, 1800 tigers were present in Indian subcontinent (in 1971 Delhi High court 
banned tiger hunting). 
The number of tiger increased to 2,226 in 2014.
 
The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; 
and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental 
thereto. 
When this Act was passed the wildlife protection subject was in State 
List and states were empowered to make law on it.  
The Parliament passed this Act using provisions in Article 252 of the 
Constitution.  
 
 
It extends to the whole of India. 
 It has six schedules which give varying degrees of 
protection.  
Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide 
absolute protection - offences under these are 
prescribed the highest penalties.  
Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are 
also protected, but the penalties are much 
lower. 
 Schedule V includes the animals which may be 
hunted.  
The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are 
prohibited from cultivation and planting. 
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