Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 facts for kids

The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 is an important law made by the Government of India in 1972. This law was created to help protect India's amazing wild animals, birds, and plants. Before this Act, India had only five national parks to protect its wildlife.

This Act helps keep wild creatures and plants safe across most of India. It has different parts, called "Schedules," which give different levels of protection. Think of them like lists, where some animals and plants get super strong protection, and others get a bit less.

What is the Wildlife Protection Act?

The Wildlife Protection Act is a special set of rules. It was put in place to stop people from harming or hunting wild animals and plants. It also helps to protect the places where these animals and plants live, like forests and rivers. The main goal is to make sure India's natural world stays healthy and safe for future generations.

Why Was This Law Needed?

Before 1972, many wild animals in India were in danger. People were hunting too much, and forests were being cut down. This meant many animals were losing their homes and their lives. The government saw that something big needed to be done. So, they created this Act to give wildlife the strong protection it needed.

How the Act Protects Wildlife

The Act works by putting different animals and plants into different lists, called "Schedules." Each Schedule has different rules about how much protection a species gets.

Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II: Top Protection

Animals and plants on Schedule I and part II of Schedule II get the highest level of protection. This means it is strictly forbidden to hunt, harm, or trade these species. If someone breaks these rules, they face the most serious consequences. Examples of animals in these schedules often include very rare or endangered species like tigers and elephants.

Schedule III and Schedule IV: Important Protection

Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected. It is still against the law to harm them, but the consequences for breaking these rules are not as severe as for Schedule I species. These schedules include many other important wild animals and plants that need protection, but might not be as critically endangered.

Schedule V: Animals That Can Be Hunted

Schedule V is a special list. It includes a few animals that can be hunted under certain conditions. These are usually animals that are not endangered and might be considered pests in some areas. However, even for these animals, there are strict rules about when and how they can be hunted.

Schedule VI: Protected Plants

Schedule VI lists specific plants that are protected. It is against the law to pick, cut, or destroy these plants. This helps to protect rare or important plant species from being over-harvested or disappearing.

Why This Act is Important for India

The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 has been very important for India's nature. It has helped to:

• Protect many endangered animals and plants.
• Create and manage more national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.
• Control illegal hunting and trading of animals.

Thanks to this law, India has been able to save many of its unique and beautiful wild creatures and their habitats.

Images for kids

• Indian Tiger.jpg

  A Bengal tiger, an animal protected under the Act.