India has significant biodiversity and is home to thousands of plant and animal species. The Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972 to protect India's wildlife from threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and overexploitation. The Act establishes six schedules that provide varying degrees of protection to wildlife and define penalties for violating the protected status of animals and plants. It has since been amended several times, including in 2002, to increase penalties for hunting endangered species and alter sanctuary boundaries. The Act aims to involve all citizens in protecting India's natural heritage through their fundamental duty under the Constitution.

1. WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT
&
ITS IMPORTANCE

2. INTRODUCTION
• Our country India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity in the
world. With about 47,000 plant species India occupies tenth
place in world and fourth place in Asia. There are about
15,000 flowering plants which accounts for 6percent of
world’s total. The country also has many non-flowering
plants such as algae, ferns etc. India also 89,000 species of
animals as well as a rich variety of fish in fresh and marine
waters.

3. IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE
• Wildlife includes all undomesticated life's from
microorganisms to vegetation and fungi as well.
• We are dependent on wildlife in one way or another.
• The clothes we wear, the food we eat, the houses we
build, the paper we write and the air we breathe all
come from nature and wildlife.

4. MAJOR DANGERS TO
WILDLIFE
 Climate change
Unregulated Hunting and poaching
Pollution
Over exploitation
Deforestation
 Population
Use of plastics

5. EVOLUTION
• India owns an immense variety of flora and
fauna. Wildlife is one of our basic and
natural resources that satisfies the needs.
Therefore, this resource must be conserved,
preserved and protected for the existence of
mankind.

6. WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT
• The Wildlife Protection Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in the
year 1972 to protect India’s wildlife.. With the increase in population,
there is greater pressure on land. Forests are being destroyed as human
habitations expand, thereby shrinking the habitats of our wildlife.
There is also the clandestine international trade in wildlife and wildlife
products which is a major cause for their wanton destruction.
Meanwhile, the growing consumer society and the increasing emphasis
on luxury and vanity items has also caused the exploitation of wildlife
in the name of industrial progress. The region's rich and diverse
wildlife is preserved in 120+ national parks, 18 Bio-reserves and
500+ wildlife sanctuaries across the country.

7. • There are six schedules which give varying degrees of protection. Out
of the six schedules , Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide
absolute protection and offences under these are prescribed the highest
penalties. The penalties for Schedule III and Schedule IV are less and
these animals are protected. Schedule V includes the animals which
may be hunted. These are Common crow , Fruit bats, Mice & Rats
only. Schedule VI contains the plants, which are prohibited from
cultivation and planting. These plants are as followsBeddomes’ cycad
(Cycas beddomei) Blue Vanda (Vanda soerulec) Kuth (Saussurea
lappa) Ladies slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.) Pitcher plant
(Nepenthes khasiana) Red Vanda (Rananthera inschootiana)]

8. • Hunting (Section 9)
Hunting of wild animals is prohibited.
• Penalties (Section 51)
Penalties are prescribed in section 51. Enforcement can be
performed by agencies such as the Forest Department, the Police,
the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), the Customs and the
Central bureau of Investigation (CBI). Charge sheets can be filed
directly by the Forest Department. Other enforcement agencies,
often due to the lack of technical expertise, hand over cases to the
Forest Department.

9. S. No.
Short title of amending
legislation
No. Year
1
Wild Life (Protection )
Amendment Act 1982
1982
2
Wild Life (Protection )
Amendment Act 1986
1986
3
Wild Life (Protection )
Amendment Act 1991
1991
4
Wild Life (Protection )
Amendment Act 1993
1993
4
Wild Life (Protection)
Amendment Act, 2002
2002
5
Wild Life (Protection )
Amendment Act 2006
2006
6
Wild Life (Protection )
Amendment Act 2013
2013

10. • Amendments.
The code has been amendedseveral times.
• The 2002 Amendment Act whichcame into force in January, 2003 have made punishment and
penalty for offencesunder the Act more stringent.
• Offences
• For offences relating to wild animals (or their parts and products) includedin schedule-Ior part
II of Schedule- II and those relatingto hunting or alteringthe boundariesof a sanctuaryor
national park the punishment andpenalty have been enhanced,the minimum imprisonment
prescribedis three years which may extend to seven years, with a minimum fine of Rs. 10,000/-
. For a subsequent offence of this nature, the term of imprisonment shall not be less than three
years but may extend to seven years with a minimum fine of Rs. 25,000.
• Offences not pertaining to hunting of endangered species
• Offences related to trade and commerce in trophies,animals articles etc. derived from certain
animals (exceptchapter V A and section 38J) attracts a term of imprisonment up to three years
and/or a fine up to Rs. 25,000/-.

11. • The major task of protecting wildlife cannot be handled
by the Government machinery alone through its limited
officials, but should be the duty of every individual. This
was one of the reasons why a new provision, Article 51
A (g), was inserted into our Constitution, making it the
fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve
the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers
and wildlife, and to have compassion for living
creatures.