WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972

Kerala Government has requested the Union Government to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA).

  • The aim is to permit controlled killing of wild animals that pose a threat to human life or agriculture.
  • The move comes in light of the intensifying human-wildlife conflict in the state, leading to multiple casualties and agricultural losses between 2016 and 2025.

Kerala Seeks Amendment as:

  • Increasing incidents of crop damage, human deaths, and injuries due to wild animals.
  • Farmers’ protests and public outcry have mounted pressure on state authorities.
  • Amendment sought to enable controlled removal or killing of problematic animals without procedural delays.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:

  • Enacted in 1972, it provides a comprehensive legal framework to:
    • Protect wild animals, birds, and plants.
    • Manage their habitats.
    • Regulate trade in wildlife and its derivatives.

Schedules under the Act:

  • Schedule I & II (Part I): Highest protection; offences invite severe penalties.
  • Schedule II (Part II), III & IV: Lesser protection and penalties.
  • Schedule V: Declared vermin species, may be hunted (e.g., rats, crows).
  • Schedule VI: Protection of plant species.

Key Provisions:

  • Section 9: Prohibits hunting of animals listed in Schedules I–IV.
  • Section 11: Allows killing of wild animals only if they pose a threat to human life, are incurably diseased, and cannot be captured or relocated.
  • Section 62: Union Government can declare certain animals as vermin (excluding Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II) for specific areas and periods.
  • Section 50: Allows seizure in wildlife crimes but lacks emergency powers for local authorities.

Challenges with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

1. Restrictions under the Act

  • Animals listed in Schedule I, like bonnet macaques or elephants, enjoy the highest level of legal protection.
  • Requires central approval even in cases of danger to human life or crops.
  • Delay in permissions hampers timely mitigation efforts.

2. Lack of Immediate Action

  • District collectors can declare a situation as a public nuisance, but legal constraints limit action.
  • Wildlife wardens are unable to act proactively without extensive bureaucratic clearance, even in life-threatening situations.

Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 – Key Highlights

  • Number of Schedules reduced from 6 to 4:
    • Schedule I: Highest level of protection.
    • Schedule II: Lower level of protection.
    • Schedule III: Protected plant species.
    • Schedule IV: CITES-listed species.
  • Introduced enhanced penalties for illegal trade and poaching.
  • Enabled better compliance with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Way Forward / Suggested Measures

  • Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for rapid response in human-wildlife conflicts.
  • Set up State-level Wildlife Conflict Management Cells.
  • Use of technology (drones, GPS tracking) for animal movement prediction.
  • Promote community-based conservation and compensation mechanisms.
  • Consider localized declaration of vermin species with periodic review and ecological impact studies.

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