Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Amendment in 1991.
(i) Objective of the Act is to protect the wild animals, birds and plants particularly the endangered or threatened species.
(ii) The Act prohibits the capturing, killing, poisoning or trapping of wild animals.
(iii) A national wildlife action plan has been made under it.
(iv) The Act envisages the creation and management of sanctuaries and national parks.
(v) A section has also been incorporated for creation of Biosphere Reserves.
The objectives and components of the Act are as follows:
- Control the rapid decline of wildlife. Therefore, specified endangered species are to be protected as a matter of priority.
- In general, protect all species.
- Prohibit regulate hunting (prohibit unlicensed poaching) of wild animals and birds.
- Prohibit regular trade in wild animals, their body parts and articles made by using their body parts.
- Set up protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
- Set up central 200 authorities to regulate zoos and encourage captive breeding of endangered species in the zoos.
- Constitute a wildlife Advisory Board in each state to advice the respective state Governments.
In 1991, the Act was amended to include plants in its definition of wildlife. Until then, for almost two decades, protection of plant life was not on agenda.
