Wildlife Protection Act 1972

Background and evolution

Before 1972, wildlife protection depended on a patchwork of colonial game laws and state rules, many of which aimed at regulating hunting for sport rather than conserving species. By the late 1960s, the cheetah had already gone extinct in India, and tigers, lions, rhinos and many birds were in steep decline. The Stockholm Conference of 1972 and pressure from conservationists coincided with growing political interest under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Wildlife was then a State subject, so Parliament passed the Act under Article 252 at the request of several state legislatures; other states adopted it later. The 42nd Amendment (1976) moved the protection of wild animals and birds to the Concurrent List, making later amendments simpler. The Act has been amended many times, notably in 1991 (protecting plants and stronger penalties), 2002 (new protected area categories), 2006 (NTCA and tiger reserves) and 2022.

Key features and provisions

• Schedules (after 2022): Schedule I for species with the highest protection, Schedule II for others, Schedule III for protected plants, and Schedule IV for specimens listed under CITES.
• Hunting prohibited: hunting of scheduled animals is banned except in limited cases, such as an animal dangerous to human life, or for scientific research under permit.
• Trade controls: dealing in trophies, animal articles and derivatives of protected species is regulated or prohibited.
• Protected areas: sanctuaries, national parks, conservation reserves, community reserves and tiger reserves.
• Institutions: National Board for Wildlife chaired by the Prime Minister, State Boards chaired by Chief Ministers, Chief Wildlife Wardens, the Central Zoo Authority and the NTCA.
• Vermin: the Centre can declare certain animals vermin for a limited area and time.
• Enforcement: forest officers can search, seize and arrest; offences involving Schedule I species attract stricter penalties.