The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

This edition of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (Act 53 of 1972), updated with all amendments introduced by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 and further amended up to 2025, serves as a comprehensive and authoritative legal reference for students preparing for competitive law examinations, as well as professionals engaged in environmental law, wildlife conservation, forestry administration, and regulatory compliance. Published as a Bare Act with short comments, the book presents the statutory text in its precise and amended form, making it ideal for academic study, judicial reference, and practical application.

The text incorporates amendments enforced through various notifications and legislative updates, including those effective from 19-12-2022 and subsequent amendments up to 2025. It ensures that readers have access to the most current and operative provisions governing wildlife protection, conservation of biodiversity, regulation of trade in wildlife and its derivatives, and institutional frameworks established under the Act.

This edition includes the full text of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 along with allied Rules and Regulations, such as:

• Wild Life (Protection) Rules, 1995
• Wild Life (Transactions and Taxidermy) Rules, 1973
• Wild Life (Specified Plants – Conditions for Possession by Licensee) Rules, 1995
• Declaration of Stock Rules
• National Board for Wild Life Rules, 2003
• National Tiger Conservation Authority and related Rules and Guidelines
• Central Zoo Authority Regulations
• Wild Life (Protection) Licensing and Trade Rules
• Recognition of Zoo Rules
• Provisions relating to Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves
• Regulations concerning Transport, Trade, and Disposal of Wildlife Articles
• Latest Rules and Notifications issued up to 2024–2025

The Act comprehensively covers:

• Authorities under the Act – Director of Wildlife Preservation, Chief Wildlife Warden, National and State Boards
• Protection of Wild Animals, Birds, and Plants
• Regulation of Hunting and Prohibition Measures
• Declaration and Management of Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves
• Trade and Commerce in Wild Animals, Animal Articles, and Trophies
• Protection of Specified Plants
• Control of Invasive Alien Species
• Constitution and Powers of the National Tiger Conservation Authority
• Penalties, Offences, and Enforcement Mechanisms
• Seizure, Forfeiture, and Adjudication Procedures

This 2026 edition is particularly suitable for:

• Law students and academicians specializing in environmental and wildlife law
• Judicial service and competitive examination aspirants
• Forest officers and wildlife administrators
• Environmental law practitioners and litigators
• NGOs and professionals engaged in biodiversity conservation
• Policy researchers and regulatory compliance officers

Whether used for examination preparation, court reference, administrative enforcement, or academic research, this updated Bare Act edition delivers the complete and current legislative framework of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as applicable in 2026.