What are the Wildlife Acts passed by the Indian Law?

Legislatures of eleven states of the Indian Union, viz Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal resolved to delegate their law making power with respect to wildlife to the parliament. A number of Wildlife Acts have been promulgated in most states and Union Territories. Some of them are:

(i) Madras Wild Elephant Preservation Act, 1873

(ii) All India Elephant Preservation Act, 1879

(iii) The Wild Birds and Animals Prohibition Act, 1912

(iv) Bengal Rhinoceros Preservation Act, 1932

(v) Assam Rhinoceros Preservation Act, 1954

(vi) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 adopted by all the states except Jammu and Kashmir (which has its own Act), governs the wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species both inside and outside forest areas. Under this Act, trade in rare and endangered species has been banned; India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. Under this treaty export or import of endangered species of flora and fauna are subject to strict control and commercial exploitation of such species is prohibited.

The Indian Board of Wildlife has listed 36 species which need protection lion, wild ass, pangolin, brow- antlered deer, swamp deer, musk deer, gharial, four-horned antelope, clouded leopard, Nilgiri stag, lesser panda, Kashmir stag, wild buffalo, rhinoceros, Nilgiri langur, golden langur, gazelle, markhor, spotted linsang, pigmy hog, blackbuck, snow leopard, golden cat, marble cat, hunting leopard or cheetah (now considered extinct), dugong, great Indian bustard, Jerdon’s courser, mountain quail, pink-headed duck, white-winged wood duck, tragopan, crocodile, leathery turtle, water lizard and python.

Wildlife Action Plan:

The National Wildlife Action Plan provides the framework of strategy as well as programme for conservation of wildlife. The first National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) of 1983 has been revised and the new Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) has been adopted.

The Indian Board of Wildlife, headed by the Prime Minister, is the apex advisory body overseeing and guiding the implementation of various schemes for wildlife conservation. At present, the protected area network comprises 89 national parks and 490 sanctuaries covering an area of 1.56 lakh sq. km.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 adopted by all States of 1.56 lakh sq kms. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 adopted by all States except Jammu and Kashmir (which has its own Act), governs wildlife conservation and protection of endangered species.

The Act prohibits trade in rare and endangered species. An Inter-State Committee has been set up to review the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and other laws. India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild flora and fauna.

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2002 was passed by the parliament during the Winter Session, 2002. The Bill proposes to enhance penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act. Under this, export or import of endangered species and their products are governed by the conditions and stipulations laid down therein. India is also a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding concerning the conservation of Siberian Cranes.

The Government provides financial and technical assistance to States for development and improved management of national parks protection of wildlife and control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife product; eco-development in areas around national parks and sanctuaries; conservation of elephant and its habitat; and conservation of rhinos in Assam.