Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

Kerala has become the first state to implement changes to the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972. These amendments are designed to simplify the process for eliminating wild animals that pose a threat to humans.

About WPA, 1972

Objective: Safeguarding wild animals, birds, and plants, along with related issues, to ensure the country's ecological and environmental security.
 4 Schedules for Species Protection (as per 2022 Amendment):
  ● Schedule I: Species of animals with the highest level of protection.  
  ● Schedule II: Animal species with a lower level of protection.  
  ● Schedule III: Protected plant species.  
  ● Schedule IV: Species listed under CITES.  
 Institutional Bodies: Establishes entities like the National Board for Wildlife (led by the Prime Minister), State Boards for Wildlife, Central Zoo Authority, and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
 Hunting Prohibition: Hunting of any wild animal listed in Schedule I, II, III, and IV is prohibited, except as allowed under Sections 11 and 12.
      ○ According to Sections 11 and 12, the Chief Wild Life Warden can authorize hunting of wild animals in Schedule I and II under specific circumstances (e.g., threat to human life, irrecoverably disabled/diseased, scientific research, scientific management, etc.).
 Protected Areas: Allows for the designation of areas as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves to protect wildlife and their habitats.
 Translocation Permission: Requires prior approval from the Central Government for translocating Schedule I animals and from the State Government for any other wild animal.
      ○ The MoEFCC holds the authority to revoke the permit if there are safety concerns or mishaps.