Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

वन्‍य जीव (संरक्षण) अधिनियम, 1972

Rules Regulations Notifications Orders Circulars Ordinance Statutes

Act ID:	197253
Act Number:	53
Enactment Date:	1972-09-09
Act Year:	1972
Short Title:	The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Hindi Title:	वन्‍य जीव (संरक्षण) अधिनियम, 1972
Long Title:	An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country.
Ministry:	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Notification:	yet to be notified


Schedule 1. SCHEDULE I. Order Appendix Forms
Schedule 2. SCHEDULE II. Order Appendix Forms
Schedule 3. SCHEDULE III. Order Appendix Forms
Schedule 4. SCHEDULE IV. Order Appendix Forms

Title	Files

Title	Files

Title	Files
APPENDIX I
APPENDIX II

Show all section The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

CHAPTER II

AUTHORITIES TO BE APPOINTED OR CONSTITUTES UNDER THE ACT

CHAPTER III

HUNTING OF WILD ANIMALS

CHAPTER IIIA

PROTECTION OF SPECIFIED PLANTS

CHAPTER IV

PROTECTED AREAS

CHAPTER IVA

CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY AND RECOGNITION OF ZOOS

CHAPTER IV B

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY

CHAPTER IV C

TIGER AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES CRIME CONTROL BUREAU

CHAPTER V

TRADE OR COMMERCE IN WILD ANIMALS, ANIMAL ARTICLES AND TROPHIES

CHAPTER VA

PROHIBITION OF TRADE OR COMMERCE IN TROPHIES, ANIMAL ARTICLES, ETC., DERIVED FROM CERTAIN ANIMALS

CHAPTER VI

PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF OFFENCES

CHAPTER VIA

FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL HUNTING AND TRADE

CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS


Section 1. Short title, extent and commencement. Show Related Subordinates
Section 2. Definitions.
Section 3. Appointment of Director and other officers.
Section 4. Appointment of Life Warden and other officers.
Section 5. Power to delegate.
Section 5A. Constitution of the National Board for Wild Life. Show Related Subordinates
Section 5B. Standing Committee of the National Board. Show Related Subordinates
Section 5C. Functions of the National Board.
Section 6. Constitution of State Board for Wild Life.
Section 6A. Standing Committee of Board.
Section 7. Procedure to be followed by the Board
Section 8. Duties of State Board for Wild Life.
Section 9. Prohibition of hunting.
Section 10. Omitted..
Section 11. Hunting of wild animals to be permitted in certain cases.
Section 12. Grant of permit for special purposes.
Section 13. Omitted..
Section 14. Omitted..
Section 15. Omitted..
Section 16. Omitted..
Section 17. Omitted..
Section 17A. Prohibition of picking, uprooting, etc. of specified plant.
Section 17B. Grants of permit for special purposes.
Section 17C. Cultivation of specified plants without licence prohibited.
Section 17D. Dealing in specified plants without licence prohibited.
Section 17E. Declaration of stock. Show Related Subordinates
Section 17F. Possession, etc., of plants by licensee
Section 17G. Purchase, etc., of specified plants.
Section 17H. Plants to be Government property.
Section 18. Declaration of sanctuary.
Section 18A. Protection to sanctuaries
Section 18B. Appointment of Collectors.
Section 19. Collector to determine rights.
Section 20. Bar of accrual of rights.
Section 21. Proclamation by Collector.
Section 22. Inquiry by Collector.
Section 23. Powers of Collector.
Section 24. Acquisition of rights.
Section 25. Acquisition proceedings.
Section 25A. Time-limit for completion of acquisition proceedings.
Section 26. Delegation of Collector's powers.
Section 26A. Declaration of area as sanctuary.
Section 27. Restriction on entry in sanctuary.
Section 28. Grant of permit.
Section 29. Destruction, etc., in a sanctuary prohibited without a permit.
Section 30. Causing fire prohibited.
Section 31. Prohibition of entry into sanctuary with weapon.
Section 32. Ban on use of injurious substances.
Section 33. Control of sanctuaries.
Section 33A. Immunisation of live-stock.
Section 33B. Advisory Committee.
Section 34. Registration of certain persons in possession of arms.
Section 35. Declaration of National Parks.
Section 36. Omitted..
Section 36A. Declaration and management of a conservation reserve.
Section 36B. Conservation reserve management committee.
Section 36C. Declaration and management of community reserve.
Section 36D. Community reserve management committee.
Section 37. Omitted..
Section 38. Power of Central Government to declare areas as sanctuaries or National Parks or conservation reserves.
Section 38A. Constitution of Central Zoo Authority
Section 38B. Term of office and conditions of service of Chairperson and members, etc.
Section 38C. Functions of the Authority
Section 38D. Procedure to be regulated by the Authority.
Section 38E. Grants and loans to Authority and Constitution of Fund.
Section 38F. Annual report.
Section 38G. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament.
Section 38H. Recognition of zoos.
Section 38I. Acquisition of animals by a zoo.
Section 38J. Prohibition of teasing, etc., in a zoo.
Section 38K. Definitions
Section 38L. Constitution of National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Section 38M. Term of office and conditions of service of members.
Section 38N. Officers and employees of Tiger Conservation Authority.
Section 38O. Powers and functions of Tiger Conservation Authority.
Section 38P. Procedure to be regulated by Tiger Conservation Authority.
Section 38Q. Grants and loans to Tiger Conservation Authority and Constitution of Fund.
Section 38R. Accounts and audit of Tiger Conservation Authority.
Section 38S. Annual report of Tiger Conservation Authority.
Section 38T. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament.
Section 38U. Constitution of Steering Committee.
Section 38V. Tiger Conservation Plan.
Section 38W. Alteration and de-notification of tiger reserves.
Section 38X. Establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
Section 38XA. Provisions of Chapter to be in addition to provisions relating to sanctuaries and National Park.
Section 38Y. Constitution of Wild Life Crime Control Bureau.
Section 38Z. Powers and functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.
Section 39. Wild animals, etc., to be Government property. Show Related Subordinates
Section 40. Declarations
Section 40A. Immunity in certain cases. Show Related Subordinates
Section 41. Inquiry and preparation of inventories.
Section 42. Certificate of ownership.
Section 42A. Surrender of captive animals, animal article, etc
Section 43. Regulation of transfer of animal, etc. Show Related Subordinates
Section 44. Dealings in trophy and animal articles without licence prohibited. Show Related Subordinates
Section 45. Suspension or cancellation of licences.
Section 46. Purchase.
Section 47. Maintenance of records.
Section 48. Purchase of animals, etc., by licensee. Show Related Subordinates
Section 48A. Restriction on transportation of wild life.
Section 49. Purchase of captive animal, etc., by a person other than a licensee.
Section 49A. Definitions.
Section 49B. Prohibition of dealings in trophies, animal articles, etc., derived from scheduled animals.
Section 49C. Declaration by dealers.
Section 49D. Definitions.
Section 49E. Designation of Management Authority Show Related Subordinates
Section 49F. Designation of Scientific Authority. Show Related Subordinates
Section 49G. Directions of Central Government.
Section 49H. International trade in Scheduled specimen and restriction in respect thereof Show Related Subordinates
Section 49-I. Conditions for scheduled specimens.
Section 49J. Conditions for import of scheduled specimens
Section 49K. Conditions for re-export of scheduled specimens.
Section 49L. Conditions for introfuction from sea of scheduled specimens.
Section 49M. Possession transfer and breeding of living scheduled animal species. Show Related Subordinates
Section 49N. Application for Licence by breeders of Appendix I species Show Related Subordinates
Section 49-O. Licence of breeders of Appendix I species. Show Related Subordinates
Section 49P. Prohibition on alteration, etc.
Section 49Q. Species and scheduled specimens to be Government property
Section 49R. Application of provisions of Act in respect of species listed in Schedule I or II and Schedule IV.
Section 50. Power of entry, search, arrest and detention. Show Related Subordinates
Section 51. Penalties.
Section 51A. Certain conditions to apply while granting bail.
Section 52. Attempts and abetment.
Section 53. Punishment for wrongful seizure.
Section 54. Power to compound offences. Show Related Subordinates
Section 55. Cognizance of offences.
Section 56. Operation of other laws not barred.
Section 57. Presumption to be made in certain cases.
Section 58. Offences by Companies.
Section 58A. Application.
Section 58B. Definitions.
Section 58C. Prohibition of holding illegally acquired property.
Section 58D. Competent authority.
Section 58E. Identifying illegally acquired property.
Section 58F. Seizure or freezing of illegally acquired property.
Section 58G. Management of properties seized or forfeited under this Chapter.
Section 58H. Notice of forfeiture of property.
Section 58I. Forfeiture of property in certain cases
Section 58J. Burden of proof.
Section 58K. Fine in lieu of forfeiture.
Section 58L. Procedure in relation to certain trust properties.
Section 58M. Certain transfer to be null and void.
Section 58N. Constitution of Applellate Tribunal.
Section 58O. Appeals.
Section 58P. Notice or order not to be invalid for error in description.
Section 58Q. Bar of Jurisdiction.
Section 58R. Competent Authority and Appellate Tribunal to have powers of civil court.
Section 58S. Information to competent authority.
Section 58T. Certain officers to assist Administrator, competent authority and Appellate Tribunal.
Section 58U. Power to take possession.
Section 58V. Rectification of mistakes.
Section 58W. Findings under other laws not conclusive for proceedings under this Chapter.
Section 58X. Service of notices and orders.
Section 58Y. Punishment for acquiring property in relating to which proceeings have been taken under this Chapter.
Section 59. Officers to be public servants.
Section 60. Protection of action taken in good faith.
Section 60A. Reward to persons.
Section 60B. Reward by State Government.
Section 61. Power to alter entries in Schedules Show Related Subordinates
Section 62. Declaration of certain wild animals to be vermin.
Section 62A. Regulation or prohibition of import, etc., of invasive alien species.
Section 62B. Power to issue directions.
Section 63. Power of Central Government to make rules Show Related Subordinates
Section 64. Power of State Government to make rules.
Section 65. Rights of Scheduled Tribes to be protected.
Section 66. Repeal and savings.


Schedule 1. SCHEDULE I. Order Appendix Forms
Schedule 2. SCHEDULE II. Order Appendix Forms
Schedule 3. SCHEDULE III. Order Appendix Forms
Schedule 4. SCHEDULE IV. Order Appendix Forms

Year	Description	Hindi Description
1973	CENTRAL RULES, 1973
1995	WILDLIFE (SPECIFIED PLANT STOCK DECLARATION) CENTRAL RULES, 1995
1973	Rules Wild Life (Proteciton) Act, 1972
1973	THE WILDLIFE (TRANSACTION AND TAXIDERMY) RULES, 1973
30-03-1994	RECOGNITION OF ZOO RULES 1992
18-04-1995	G.S.R.348(E), [18/4/1995] - The Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 1995
18-04-1995	G.S.R.349(E), [18/4/1995] - The Wildlife (Specified Plants - Conditions for Possession by Licensee) Rules, 1995
18-04-1995	G.S.R.350(E), [18/4/1995] - The Wildlife (Specified Plant Stock Declaration) Central Rules, 1995
1995	WILDLIFE (SPECIFIED PLANTS - CONDITIONS FOR POSSESSION BY LICENSEE) RULES, 1995
1995	WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) RULES, 1995
18-04-2003	S.O.445(E), [18/4/2003] - The Declaration of Wild Life Stock Rules, 2003.
10-11-2009	Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009 dated November 10, 2009
12-2013	Notification Wild Life (Proteciton) Act, 1972
10-12-2014	National Board for Wild Life Rules, 2003
24-04-2023	Breeders of Species Licence Rules, 2023	प्रजाति प्रजनक अनुज्ञप्ति नियम, 2023
12-07-2023	Wild Life Disposal of Wild Animal Article Rules, 2023	वन्य पशु वस्तु का वन्य जीव निपटान नियम, 2023
21-12-2023	Wild Life (Protection) International Trade of Specimens Rules, 2023	वन्य जीव (संरक्षण) नमूनों का अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापर नियम, 2023
16-01-2024	Wild Life (Transactions and Taxidermy) Rules, 2024
16-01-2024	Wild Life (Protection) Licencing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024
23-02-2024	Scheduled Specimen (Conditions and Procedure for exemption), Rules, 2024
28-02-2024	Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024
14-03-2024	Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024

Year	Description	Hindi Description
28-05-2001	S.O.474(E), [28/5/2001] - Additions to Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972)
11-07-2001	S.O.665(E), [11/7/2001] - Amendments to Schedule I and Schedule III of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972)
2001	(Wildlife Section I) NOTIFICATION
12-2001	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
2001	Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
05-12-2001	S.O.1197(E), [5/12/2001] - Amendments to Schedule I and Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972)
30-09-2002	S.O.1085(E), [30/9/2002] - Amendments to Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972)
2002	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972)
17-01-2003	The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 dated January 17, 2003
28-03-2003	S.O.332(E), [28/3/2003] - Coming into force of all the provisions except section 6 of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 (16 of 2003)
18-04-2003	Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
18-04-2003	S.O.447(E), [18/4/2003] - Delegation of Powers of section 54 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972)
22-09-2003	Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
22-09-2003	Wild Life (Protection) Act, 2002 (16 of 2003)
22-09-2003	S.O.1093(E), [22/9/2003] - Constitution of the National Board for Wild Life
22-09-2003	S.O.1091(E), [22/9/2003] - Coming into force of section 6 of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 (16 of 2003)
2003	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
2003	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
04-11-2003	Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1977 (53 of 1972), read with rule 11 of the National Board for Wild Life Rules
2003	Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002
2003	Notification Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
03-09-2006	The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 (No. 39 of 2006, [03/09/2006])
04-09-2006	S. O.1403(E). for appointment of the Members primary notification
25-10-2006	G.S.R. 661(E) dated for appointment of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, Member and Member-Secretary of the National Tiger Conservation Authority,
02-11-2006	S.0. 1889(E) Appointment of experts	Null
16-05-2007	S.O.802(E), [16/05/2007] - The National Board for Wild Life Rules, 2007
16-05-2007	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
22-06-2007	S. O. 1008 (E) for Appointment of for the purpose of Regulation of Tiger Conservation Foundation in NTCA
28-09-2007	G.S.R. 635(E) for appointment of Staff in NTCA
25-06-2009	G.S.R. MG(E).—to amend the National ‘Tiger Conservation Authority	Null
01-09-2009	No. 15-25/09NTCA for Chairperson and Members to the National Tiger Conservation Authority
11-11-2009	Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), and in supersession of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992
04-09-2010	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
04-09-2010	S.O.2180(E), [4/9/2010] - Amendments to Constitution of the National Board for Wild Life
14-09-2010	National Board for Wildlife Rules 2003
12-10-2012	§.0. 2556(E) Amendment in .0. 1403(E), dated the 4th September, 2006,	Null
12-10-2012	No. Nil for appointment in NTCA
15-10-2012	No. 15-31/2012-NTCA normative standards for tourism activitites and guidelines for project tiger
25-02-2013	S. O. 495 (E) dated 25.02.2013, for Appointment of Members in NTCA
2014	the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972),
13-10-2014	S.O. 2791(E) dated 13.10.2014 for appointment of MP as member of NTCA	Null
09-09-2015	S. O. 2462 (E) Amendment in Notification S. O. 1403 (E)	null
16-03-2016	S. O. 1173 (E) dated 16.03.2016 for Appointment of Member by NTCA	null
06-07-2016	S. O. 2367 (E) Amendment in Notification dated 04.09.2006
03-04-2019	S. O. 1516 (E) dated 03.04.2019 appointment of member in NTCA
30-08-2019	S. O. 3172 (E) dated 30.08.2019 Appointment of MP as member in NTCA
13-01-2020	S. O. 232 (E) dated 13.01.2020 appointment of member in NTCA
22-03-2023	S.O. 1394(E) Enforcement of Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022
23-03-2023	G.S.R. 212(E) For coin on the occasion of 50 YEARS OF PROJECT TIGER) Rules, 2023.	Null
22-05-2023	S.O. 2241(E) Designation of CITES Management Authority
08-08-2023	S.O. 3547(E) Ports of Entry and Exit for the Purposes of Chapter VB
08-08-2023	S.O. 3558(E) Notification for delegation for powers and functions under Section 49 H, 49 I, 49 J, 49 K and 49 L of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
08-08-2023	S.O. 3548(E) Notification for designation of CITES Scientific Authorities under Section 49F of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
28-02-2024	S.O. 944(E) Notification under Section 50 of Wild Life Protection Act 1972
28-02-2024	S.O. 943(E) Notification under Section 49M of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972
13-03-2024	S.O. 1328(E) Notification regarding designation of CITES Management Authority

Schedule 1. SCHEDULE I.

Schedule 2. SCHEDULE II.

Schedule 3. SCHEDULE III.

Schedule 4. SCHEDULE IV.