Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972

Why in news?

Recently a man booked under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 for “illegally” keeping and nursing an injured Sarus crane (Grus Antigone).

What is Sarus crane?

• The Sarus crane is a large non migratory crane found in parts of the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.
• Sarus crane is also found in wetlands.
• Sarus crane is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh.
• Sarus crane is the world’s tallest flying bird.

What is the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

• Aim - It aims to conserve protected species in 2 ways
  • By prohibiting  hunting
  • By protecting habitat through the creation and regulation of sanctuaries, national parks, reserves, etc.
• Hunting – It includes not just the act of killing or poisoning a wild or captive animal, but even an attempt to do so.
• Even injuring or destroying any part of the animal or its eggs or nests is an offence punishable under the Act.
• List includes capturing, coursing, snaring, trapping, driving or baiting any wild or captive animal.
• Captive animal -Any animal specified in Schedule I-IV which is captured or kept or bred in captivity.
• The Act prohibits capturing or hunting any species of animals listed under Schedules I-IV.

• Offences -Under the Act offences are considered as  
  •  Hunting, unauthorized possession, transport and trade.
  • Offences related to protected areas or habitat destruction.
• Powers of the state government - This act allows the State government to appoint a Chief Wildlife Warden alongside wildlife wardens, honorary wildlife wardens, and other officers and employees.
• The act empowers the State to constitute a State Board for Wild Life consisting of
  • The Chief Minister as Chairperson,
  • The Minister in charge of Forests and Wildlife as the Vice Chairperson
  • At least 3 members of the State legislature.
• Penalties – Any person who contravenes any provision of the Act shall be punished with up to 3 years imprisonment or fine up to Rs. 25,000 rupees or both.

In 42^nd Amendment Act, the subject of “Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds” was transferred from State to Concurrent List.

What is the 2022 Amendment to the WPA?

• Schedules and increasing penalties – It brings changes in reducing the number of Schedules and increasing penalties.
• CITES – It seeks to implement the provisions of “Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” (CITES).
• Rationalizing schedules – It seeks to reduce the number of schedules from VI to IV whereby Schedule V for vermin or animals that destroy food crops will be done away with.
• More powers to Center - It accords greater powers to the Centre concerning the export, import, regulation, prohibition, and trade of plant or animal species, through a designated Management Authority.
• Conservation reserves - Central government may declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as a conservation reserve
• Invasive alien species -The central government may authorise an officer to seize and dispose the invasive species.

To know about Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021

References

The Indian Express │ Sarus Crane