Wildlife Protection Amendment Act 2021

Wildlife Protection Amendment Act 2021

TOPIC: Environment

Context- The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Bhupender Yadav, Union minister of environment, forest and climate change. The Bill amends the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).

Concept-

Key provisions of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2021:

• Standing Committees of State Boards of Wildlife:
  • The Bill proposes setting up of Standing Committees of State Boards of Wildlife.
  • These committees will function like the National Board for Wildlife NBWL).
  • It will be able to make decisions on wildlife management and permissions granted for projects without having to refer most projects to the NBWL.
• Rationalization of Schedules for Wildlife:
  • The bill rationalises Schedules for Wildlife under the Act by bringing it down from 6 to 4 major schedules.
  • For example, A schedule I category of wildlife (such as Tigers) are the highest protected under the Act.
• Wildlife Management Plans:
  • The Bill mandates that Wildlife Management Plans which are prepared for sanctuaries and national parks across the country will now become a part of the Wildlife Act.
  • Further, they will have to be approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state.
  • Earlier, the plans were approved through executive orders.
• There is also the insertion of a new section 42A about surrender of wild animals and products.
• The inclusion of the new Section 62A(l) that defines alien invasive species.
• It has mandated the need to consult the Gram Sabha in protected areas falling under scheduled areas or areas recognised to possess forest rights based on claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:

• The Act was enacted for the protection of plants and animal species.
• It has six schedules that give varying degrees of protection.
  • Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection – offenses under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
  • Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.
  • Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted. The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and planting. The hunting to the Enforcement authorities has the power to compound offenses under this Schedule (i.e. they impose fines on the offenders).
• The act has been amended in 1982, 1986, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2006 and 2013.