Question

With reference to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, consider the following statements:

1. Wild life advisory board is constituted under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Environment ,Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
2. Poaching, smuggling and illegal trade of animals listed in all 6 Schedules are prohibited.

Which of the above statements is/are correct
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2​

Answer 1

Option D - Neither 1 nor 2

• Statement 1 is incorrect :- Wild life advisory board is constituted under the chairmanship of the Minister in charge of Forest in the State or Union Territory.

• Statement 2 is incorrect :- Poaching, smuggling and illegal trade of animals listed Schedule 1 to schedule 4 are prohibited.

■ Explanation :-

Schedules of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 :-

• Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 consists of 6 schedule lists, which give varying degrees of protection.

• Poaching, smuggling and illegal trade of animals listed Schedule 1 to schedule 4 are prohibited.

Schedule 1 and part II of Schedule 2 :-

• Animals listed in schedule 1 and parts II of schedule 2 have absolute protection- offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.

• Examples of animals listed in schedule 1 are lion tailed macaque, rhinoceros, great indian bustard, narcondamhornbill, nicobarmegapode, black buck, etc.

• Examples of animals listed in schedule 2 are rhesus macaque, dhole, Bengal porcupine, king cobra, flying squirrel, himalayan brown bear, etc.

Schedule 3 and schedule 4 :-

• Animals listed in schedule 3 and schedules 4 are also protected, but the penalties are lower compared to schedule 1 and part 2 of schedule 2.

• Examples of animals listed in schedule 3 are hyaena, hogdeer, nilgai, goral, sponges, barking deer, etc.

• Examples of animals listed in schedule 4 are mangooses, vultures, etc.

Schedule 5 :-

• Animals listed in schedule 5 are called “vermin” which can be hunted.

• Mice, rat, common crow and flying fox (fruit eating bats) are the list of animals (only 4 nos) in schedule 5 [i.e. vermin].

Schedule 6 :-

• Cultivation, Collection, extraction, trade, etc. of Plants and its derivatives listed in schedule 6 are prohibited.

• Red Vanda, blue Vanda, kuth, pitcher plant, beddomes cycad and ladies slipper orchid are the list of plants listed in schedule 6.

Constitution of the Wildlife Advisory Board :-

• The State Government, or, in the case of a Union Territory, the Administrator, shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, constitute a Wildlife Advisory Board consisting of the following member, namely:

The Minister in charge of Forest in the State or Union Territory, or, if there is no such Minister, the Chief Secretary to the State Government, or, as the case may be, the Chief Secretary to the Government or the Union Territory, who shall be the Chairman.

Hope It helps you

Answer 2

With reference to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, consider the following statements:

1. Wild life advisory board is constituted under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Environment ,Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

2. Poaching, smuggling and illegal trade of animals listed in all 6 Schedules are prohibited.

Which of the above statements is/are correct

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:

Option D