The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA) is an Act of the Parliament of India that serves as the cornerstone legal framework for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and for the management of their habitats. Enacted on August 21, 1972, and implemented on September 9, 1972, the Act was created to address the severe threats of poaching and habitat loss, shifting the focus from fragmented state-level laws like the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act of 1912 to a national policy of total protection for endangered species. The Parliament passed the Act using the provisions of Article 252 of the Constitution.
The WPA works by prohibiting the hunting of wild animals and regulating the trade in wildlife products. A key mechanism is the establishment of protected areas, such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Act originally classified species into six Schedules, with Schedule I providing absolute protection and attracting the highest penalties for violations. The WPA connects directly to India's constitutional mandate, supported by Article 48A (Directive Principle) and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty), and paved the way for institutions like the Central Zoo Authority and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The Act underwent a significant overhaul with the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, passed in December 2022. This amendment reduced the number of Schedules from six to four, omitting the former Schedule V (vermin). The core protection for species in Schedule I remains, but the new structure includes a dedicated Schedule IV to align with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The amendment incorporated provisions to implement CITES and added a new mechanism (Section 62A) empowering the Central Government to regulate or prohibit invasive alien species. Penalties for general violations were enhanced, with the maximum fine increasing from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1 lakh. However, a controversial amendment to Section 43 allows the transfer or transport of a captive elephant for "religious or any other purpose".