UPSC CSE Prelims
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Statement-I is correct, Statement-II is incorrect

This question tests knowledge about the Indian Flying Fox and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. While the current model answer states both statements are incorrect, the correct answer as per the original marking was Option 3, indicating Statement-I was considered correct at the time of the exam.

✅ Statement-I – Correct (as per original context): Historically, the Indian Flying Fox was placed under Schedule V (vermin category) in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, before the 2022 amendments abolished this schedule.

❌ Statement-II – Incorrect: The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius) is a large frugivorous bat that feeds on fruits, nectar, and flowers, not on blood. Blood-feeding behavior is characteristic of vampire bats found in Latin America, not fruit bats.

📝 Short Notes: Indian Flying Fox and Wildlife Protection

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 2 only

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides species-specific protection based on scheduling, which applies uniformly regardless of location. Only Statement 2 is legally accurate, while Statements 1 and 3 contain critical inaccuracies regarding ownership and conditions for capture/killing.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Section 39 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act specifies that only animals in Schedules I to IV are government property; vermin species (Schedule V) are excluded, making the claim of 'sole property' legally incorrect.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Protected status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act is determined by the animal's listing in the Schedules and applies uniformly whether the animal is found inside Protected Areas or outside in human-dominated landscapes.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Section 11 requires the Chief Wildlife Warden to be satisfied that the animal 'has become dangerous' to human life (actual danger), not merely apprehended danger; mere fear or anticipation is insufficient legal ground for capture or killing.

📝 Short Notes: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 - Key Provisions

• Section 11: Chief Wildlife Warden may permit capture/killing only when animal has become dangerous to human life or is disabled/diseased beyond recovery
• Section 39: Wild animals listed in Schedules I-IV are property of State/Central Government
• Protection applies uniformly: Inside and outside Protected Areas for all scheduled species
• Protected Areas: Include National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves
• Recent Amendment (2022): Introduced Schedule VI for prohibited plants and enhanced penalties

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — A licence is required to cultivate that plant.

Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, specifically lists plant species for which cultivation and planting are prohibited without obtaining a proper licence from the authorities. This provision ensures regulated cultivation of certain sensitive plant species to prevent their exploitation and maintain ecological balance. The other options are incorrect as Schedule VI does not prohibit cultivation entirely, nor does it relate to GMOs or invasive species classification.

📝 Short Notes: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - Schedules

• 2022 Amendment: Reduced schedules from six to four, merging and reclassifying species for better alignment with CITES requirements.
• CITES Integration: Schedule IV now specifically covers species listed under CITES, facilitating international trade regulation and conservation commitments.
• Purpose of Schedule VI: To control cultivation of rare and threatened plant species, prevent commercial exploitation, and ensure sustainable use through licensing mechanism.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3

All three animals—Gharial, Indian wild ass, and Wild Buffalo—are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of protection. Schedule I species cannot be hunted by any person except under exceptional provisions such as disease control or to prevent human attacks, making hunting of all three animals illegal under normal circumstances.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Gharial is listed in Schedule I and enjoys absolute protection from hunting.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Indian wild ass is listed in Schedule I and is protected from hunting.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Wild Buffalo is listed in Schedule I and cannot be hunted except under specific legal provisions.

Detailed Explanation:

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, not the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 for implementation of Project Tiger.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and chaired by the Prime Minister (replaced by National Ganga Council in 2016).

Detailed Explanation:

National Parks in India prohibit local people from collecting or using biomass as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Biosphere Reserves (buffer & transition zones), Wildlife Sanctuaries (with Chief Wildlife Warden's permission), and Ramsar Wetlands (site-specific regulations) allow regulated biomass collection by local communities under certain conditions.