Shankar IAS: Summary of Schedule Animals Of WPA 1972 - Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests)

SCHEDULE LIST-WPA, 1972

• Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 consists of 6 schedule lists, which give varying degrees of protection.
• Poaching, smuggling and illegal trade of animals listed Schedule 1 to schedule 4 are prohibited.

(i) Schedule 1 and part II of Schedule 2 

• Animals listed in schedule 1 and part II of schedule 2 have absolute protection - offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
• Examples of animals listed in schedule 1 are lion tailed macaque, rhinoceros, great indian bustard, narcondam hornbill, nicobar megapode, black buck, etc.
  (a) Examples of animals listed in schedule 2 are rhesus macaque, dhole, Bengal porcupine, king cobra, flying squirrel, himalyan brown bear, etc.

(ii) Schedule 3 and schedule 4

• Animals listed in schedule 3 and schedule 4 are also protected, but the penalties are lower compared to schedule 1 and part 2 of schedule 2.
• Examples of animals listed in schedule 3 are hyaena, hogdeer, nilgai, goral, sponges, barking deer, etc.
  (a) Examples of animals listed in schedule 4 are mangooses, vultures, etc.

(iii) Schedule 5

• Animals listed in schedule 5 are called “vermin" which can be hunted.
• Mice, rat, common crow and flying fox (fruit eating bats) are the list of animals (only 4 nos) in schedule 5 [i.e. vermin].

(iv) Schedule 6

• Cultivation, Collection, extraction, trade, etc. of Plants and its derivatives listed in schedule 6 are prohibited.
• Red Vanda, blue Vanda, kuth, pitcher plant, beddomes cycad and ladies slipper orchid are the list of plants listed in schedule 6 (Refer page - 154, 157).