The Wildlife protection act? Because if animals could vlog, their top content would be, “How I survived without getting hunted- No clickbait”. What is this about The Wildlife Protection act? Let’s open the crevice to an open minded read.
India is the first country in the world to have made provisions for the protection and conservation of the environment in its constitution. On 5th June 1972, environment was first discussed as an item of international agenda in the UN Conference of Human Environment in Stockholm and thereafter, 5th June is celebrated all over the world as World Environment day. Soon after the Stockholm conference The Wildlife Protection act, was passed in 1972, our country took substantive legislative steps for environmental protection.
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 has had significant changes; it had six parts and six schedules; each schedule consisting of lists of animals that are protected under this act. Schedule I consists of approximately 500 species of animals, Schedule II consists of around 300 species of animals, schedule III consists of around 200 species of animals, schedule IV consists of about 100 species of animals and schedule V around 20 species that are protected, note that these numbers are approximate, as the list of species may be updated or modified from time to time. The central government has also passed The Wildlife Protection Act amendment bill in 2021 which reduces the total number of schedules to four, Schedule I for species that will get the highest level of protection, Schedule II for species that will be subject to lesser degree of protection and Schedule III that covers plants. It removes the schedule for vermin, and inserts a new schedule for specimens under CITES (Schedule Specimens).
A concerned individual might wonder, how they’ll ever remember or fathom all the animals in every schedule, to this; an individual should just keep in mind that Nagaland is situated in the periphery of the eastern Himalayan mountain range and yes, it is considered a part of the eastern Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot housing rich variety of plants and wildlife. Now, it is important to note that a “biodiversity hotspot” does not necessarily mean that a region has abundant species; rather, it refers to areas that are both rich in species diversity and under threat. This also means that these regions have unique species, even if the total number of species might not be the highest compared to other regions. To qualify a hotspot, a region must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat. This means that the biodiversity in these regions is at risk due to activities like deforestation and hunting. While it is difficult to estimate the exact percentage that are vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered it is important to note that our region constitutes around 10-20% of the total percentage across the Himalayan range, which is quite significant.
Some critics might argue that constitutional rights are inherently human in nature, designed to address the unique needs, dignity, and autonomy of human beings.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Extending rights to animals could blur the distinction between humans and animals in the legal framework. Critics also argue that there are more pressing issues going on presently in the state, to name a few, “Road conditions”, “Political Issues”, everything comes after the two issues. It has also been stated that a legal framework that grants rights to animals may create significant complications in enforcement and may inadvertently hinder necessary activities like agriculture, fishing, and other practices that involve animals. They argue that animal protection laws can achieve the same goals without granting full constitutional rights. While almost all Naga societies have relied on animals for food, labor and economic growth, granting animal rights might conflict with these practices, causing economic disruptions and cultural resistance in regions where animals have historically been viewed as resources rather than beings with rights. I’d argue that while granting animal rights may initially disrupt certain industries, it can also lead to long-term economic benefits. Sustainable practices, such as ecotourism, wildlife conservation, and ethical framing, can create tourism, and industries centered on ethical consumption. We need not look far in order to find examples where ecotourism has benefited greatly in a region’s economy; Assam is one of our neighbors which earn in excess of 50 to 100 crores per year. You might again argue the scope of a National park in relation to its density of species and size but Meghalaya is another state where ecotourism plays a significant role in both preserving wildlife and benefiting the local economy, without relying heavily on national parks. While hunting has been passed down through our forefathers, cultures are dynamic and adapt over time. What was essential for survival in the past may not be necessary today, as technology and society have changed the way we get food and interact with the changing environment. Just because something has been done for generations doesn’t mean it is beyond examination. Every generation should reflect on its practices and ensure that they align with modern values of compassion, sustainability and respect for the environment. The wildlife protection act is not only levi to the forests of a region but In 1997, the supreme court of India ordered the closure of zoos that didn’t meet adequate standards: demonstrating the law’s growing influence in ensuring that wildlife conservation went beyond just protecting animals in the wild.
In light of the recent increase in wildlife related offences, Nagaland Forest department under Wildlife Protection act 1972 section 50 has the authority to arrest any individual who has committed offences related to wildlife without any warrant, as long as the offences are in accordance with the procedures laid down in the wildlife protection act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Nagaland has had increase rate of offences in relation to wildlife in the past years which includes arresting of four individuals for killing wild animals in Intanki National Park (2020), killing of a Great Indian Hornbill in Wokha (June 2022), Poaching in Zunheboto District (April 2020) where a man was seen transporting a large python on a motorcycle and Seizure of Red-collared Doves (May 2024), the list goes on. The offences and arrests were made only adhering to the Wildlife protection act 1972 and the source of these information are in the newspapers and internet for everyone to see, so if there maybe misconceptions that the Forest Department has not done enough, from the viewpoint of a concerned citizen like myself, it does not hold any substantial weightage, rather it only magnifies the viridity of the problem at hand which is, need for more awareness and mindfulness on issues which may someday comeback to bite us with environmental disaster and the golden goose, I’d like to call “ecotourism”.
In conclusion, the wildlife Protection act was not just an essential national framework, but also a key legal tool for India to participate in international wildlife conservation efforts. It also became vital in addressing increasingly sophisticated poaching syndicates, evolving environmental concerns, and judicial enforcement of wildlife protection laws. It is important as a citizen to abide by the constitutional laws such as The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 because it serves as the foundation of a fair and just society, ensuring protection of rights. The act helps protect endangered species and their habitats, ensuring the survival of wildlife for future generations to see. Ignoring it can have devastating consequences on both the environment and society, not forgetting the financial and mental toll it takes on the individual offender and their families.
Tekameren I Jamir, M. Sc Wildlife Science
