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Wildlife Protection Act 1972

Key Provisions for Tiger Conservation

The WPA 1972 is the foundational legislation for wildlife protection in India, providing the legal basis for protected areas, species protection, and institutional frameworks.

Key details

Schedule I: Provides absolute protection; hunting, injury, or trade is a cognizable and non-bailable offence. Tigers are listed in Schedule I.
Section 9: Prohibits hunting of Schedule I animals.
Section 11: Grants authority to Chief Wildlife Warden to permit capture or culling of a dangerous/diseased animal as a last resort.
Section 12: Permits tranquilisation for scientific research, relocation, or management under permit — the legal basis for Operation Stripes-type operations.
Section 38L-38V: Statutory framework for NTCA and tiger reserves (inserted by 2006 amendment).
Tiger Conservation Plan (Section 38V): Mandatory for each tiger reserve; addresses buffer zone management, wildlife corridor protection, and HWC mitigation.
Protected Area Network: National Parks (where no human activity is permitted), Wildlife Sanctuaries (limited use permitted), Tiger Reserves (core critical tiger habitat + buffer), Conservation Reserves, Community Reserves.