Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Schedules Covering Insects
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 defines "wildlife" to explicitly include insects such as butterflies and moths, and extends legal protection to select species through its Schedules. The 2022 amendment simplified the earlier six-schedule structure into four schedules to align India's domestic framework with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
- Post-2022 amendment: Schedule I (highest protection, including critically endangered species) and Schedule II (lesser degree of protection) cover animals, including select butterfly and moth species; Schedule III covers plants; Schedule IV covers species listed under CITES Appendices.
- Offences against Schedule I species attract imprisonment of one to six years and a minimum fine, reflecting the highest protection tier.
- Several charismatic Indian butterfly species (e.g., certain swallowtail species) are listed under Schedule I/II, restricting their hunting, trade, and possession.
● Tracked since February 10, 2026 · last seen August 02, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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