Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

• Wildlife is an important part of the environment
• This includes trees, birds,animals, etc
• However, people, in the process of growth and development and also for self-interest, cause a lot of damage to the forest and wildlife
• Wildlife is a gift from nature, and its fall has a negative impact on the environment. So, it is urgently needed to protect wildlife
• Therefore, to protect wildlife from extinction, the Indian Parliament passed the Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

Objectives of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972:

• To safeguard and develop the environment
• To carry out the conclusions reached at the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm
• To punish anyone who harms the environment
• Enforcing environmental regulations in locations not covered by existing legislation
• Give the central government complete authority to enact severe environmental protection measures
• The main purpose of the law is to ensure the protection of wildlife, birds, and plants
• The law gives the federal government the power to declare certain areas such as a sanctuary or a national park, wildlife hunting bans and bring punishment for their violation

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Main features of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Authorities

Section 3 of the law empowers the federal government to appoint a manager with resources, chief Conservation Officer and other officers and staff.

In addition, Section 4 gives authority to the state government to appoint the Asst. Director of Wildlife Preservation, Director and other officials and employees.

Advisory Council on Wildlife: 

It is set up in each state or federal region to advise the state government, selection and declaration of the sanctuary, national park, enclosed space, etc., for wildlife conservation and conservation. 

Prohibition of Animal Hunting: 

Animal Wildlife hunting is banned. Wildlife hunting is prohibited as described in the appendix. However, there are other exceptions. The State government may order the killing or injury of any animal in good faith for its own protection or to protect or save again. Any animal that was killed or injured was not a crime and shall be of government purpose. The government may allow some animals to be killed for educational purposes.

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Prohibition of Cutting/Uprooting Specified Plants:

By notification, the State government can declare any area of ​​forest or lake as a sanctuary if it is considered a suitable place for wildlife conservation and conservation. It follows the prohibition of Cutting/Uprooting Specified Plants. 

National Parks:

By notification, the State government may state, whether the subject of the sanctuary or not, should, for environmental reasons or other reasons, be established as a part of the national park for the purpose of protection, propagation or development of wildlife.

Recognition of zoos:

No shelter should be operated without the knowledge of the authorities. The animal shelter shall not be provided if the authority, for the sake of animal protection and conservation and the principles, norms and other factors that may be listed, is satisfied that such support may be provided. The authority must own or transfer any notification of the wildlife described in this law by prior authorization. It is forbidden to mock, molest, injure or feed animals or disturb animals by noise, or anything else or throw rubbish on the ground.

Prohibition of Hunting:

All wildlife, animals, and trophies will be the property of the state government. No one has the right to hunt wild animals. No one, without the prior written permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden or the Authorised Officer, owns, possesses, or controls, or submits to, any person, or by gift, sale or otherwise, or by destruction or damage. The sale of trophies and unlicensed animals is prohibited.

Government Property:

Anyone authorised under this Act has the right to enter, inspect, detain and occupy any building. He can stop a car or a vessel. He has the right to enter any premises. Furthermore, he can hold any captive animal—wild animal, animal, animal, trophy or untreated trophy or any specified plant or part of its system. 

Penalties: (Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act): 

If the offences committed in connection with the animal described in Schedule-I or Part-II of Schedule-II where the offence was related to hunting in the sanctuary or a national park or exchange in the territory of a sanctuary or a national park, such an offence shall be punishable by imprisonment not less than three years but up to seven years and a fine not exceeding ten thousand rupees.

Wild Life Protection Act, Schedules:

• Schedule 1 – Protection to Endangered species, from hunting and poaching, unless the animal posses’ threat to Human lives. Strict penalties and punishment to offenders

• Schedule 2 – Protection of animals from hunting and poaching, for the purposes of trading

• Schedule 3 – Protection of animals not considered endangered, in this schedule penalities and punishments are not as harsh as Schedule 1 & 2

• Schedule 4 – Same as Schedule 3

• Schedule 5 – Vermins (common crows, fruit bats, rats, and mice) that can be hunted, as they are carriers of diseases. Section 62, of the Act, gives government power to declare an animal a Vermin. It is done when an animal is considered dangerous for humans or crops

• Schedule 6 – Restricted plants that require specific permission for cultivating

Also read How to Prepare for UPSC without Coaching

Conclusion:

The much-needed Protection to wildlife areas in India are provided by the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which includes sanctuaries, national parks, and zoos. Its main goal is to stop the illegal trafficking in wildlife and animal parts.