THE WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 
AUTHORITIES TO BE APPOINTED OR CONSTITUTES UNDER THE ACT 

3.  Appointment of Director and other officers. 
4.  Appointment of Life Warden and other officers. 
5.  Power to delegate. 
5A. Constitution of the National Board for Wild Life. 
5B. Standing Committee of the National Board. 
5C. Functions of the National Board. 
6.  Constitution of State Board for Wild Life. 
7.  Procedure to be followed by the Board. 
8.  Duties of State Board for Wild Life. 

CHAPTER III 
HUNTING OF WILD ANIMALS 

9.  Prohibition of hunting. 
10.  [Omitted.]. 
11.  Hunting of wild animals to be permitted in certain cases. 
12.  Grant of permit for special purposes. 
13.  [Omitted.]. 
14.  [Omitted.]. 
15.  [Omitted.]. 
16.  [Omitted.]. 
17.  [Omitted.]. 

CHAPTER IIIA 
PROTECTION OF SPECIFIED PLANTS 

17A. Prohibition of picking, uprooting, etc. of specified plant. 
17B. Grants of permit for special purposes. 
17C. Cultivation of specified plants without licence prohibited. 
17D. Dealing in specified plants without licence prohibited. 
17E. Declaration of stock. 
17F. Possession, etc., of plants by licensee. 
17G. Purchase, etc., of specified plants. 

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SECTIONS 

17H. Plants to be Government property. 

CHAPTER IV 
 PROTECTED AREAS 

Sanctuaries 

18.  Declaration of sanctuary. 
18A. Protection to sanctuaries. 
18B. Appointment of Collectors. 
19.  Collector to determine rights. 
20.  Bar of accrual of rights. 
21.  Proclamation by Collector. 
22.  Inquiry by Collector. 
23.  Powers of Collector. 
24.  Acquisition of rights. 
25.  Acquisition proceedings. 
25A. Time-limit for completion of acquisition proceedings. 
26.  Delegation of Collector’s powers. 
26A. Declaration of area as sanctuary. 
27.  Restriction on entry in sanctuary. 
28.  Grant of permit. 
29.  Destruction, etc., in a sanctuary prohibited without a permit. 
30.  Causing fire prohibited. 
31.  Prohibition of entry into sanctuary with weapon. 
32.  Ban on use of injurious substances. 
33.  Control of sanctuaries. 
33A. Immunisation of live-stock. 
33B. Advisory Committee. 
34.  Registration of certain persons in possession of arms. 

Natioanl Parks 

35.  Declaration of National Parks. 
36.  [Omitted.]. 
36A. Declaration and management of a conservation reserve. 
36B. Conservation reserve management committee. 
36C. Declaration and management of community reserve. 
36D. Community reserve management committee. 

Closed Area 

37.  [Omitted.]. 

Sanctuaries or National Parks declared by Central Government 

38.  Power of Central Government to declare areas as sanctuaries or National Parks. 

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CHAPTER IVA 
CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY AND RECOGNITION OF ZOOS 

SECTIONS 

38A. Constitution of Central Zoo Authority. 
38B. Term of office and conditions of service of Chairperson and members, etc. 
38C. Functions of the Authority. 
38D. Procedure to be regulated by the Authority. 
38E.Grants and loans to Authority and Constitution of Fund. 
38F. Annual report. 
38G. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament. 
38H. Recognition of zoos. 
38I. Acquisition of animals by a zoo. 
38J. Prohibition of teasing, etc., in a zoo. 

CHAPTER IV B 
NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 

38K. Definitions. 
38L.Constitution of National Tiger Conservation Authority. 
38M. Term of office and conditions of service of members. 
38N. Officers and employees of Tiger Conservation Authority. 
38-O. Powers and functions of Tiger Conservation Authority. 
38P. Procedure to be regulated by Tiger Conservation Authority. 
38Q. Grants and loans to Tiger Conservation Authority and Constitution of Fund. 
38R. Accounts and audit of Tiger Conservation Authority. 
38S. Annual report of Tiger Conservation Authority. 
38T. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament. 
38U. Constitution of Steering Committee. 
38V. Tiger Conservation Plan. 
38W. Alteration and de-notification of tiger reserves. 
38X. Establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation. 

CHAPTER IV C 
TIGER AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES CRIME CONTROL BUREAU 

38Y. Constitution of Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau. 
38Z. Powers and functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. 

CHAPTER V 
TRADE OR COMMERCE IN WILD ANIMALS, ANIMAL ARTICLES AND TROPHIES 

39.  Wild animals, etc., to be Government property. 
40.  Declarations. 
40A. Immunity in certain cases. 
41.  Inquiry and preparation of inventories. 
42.  Certificate of ownership. 
43.  Regulation of transfer of animal, etc. 
44.  Dealings in trophy and animal articles without licence prohibited. 
45.  Suspension or cancellation of licences. 
46.  Purchase. 
47.  Maintenance of records. 
48.  Purchase of animals, etc., by licensee. 

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SECTIONS 

48A. Restriction on transportation of wild life. 
49.  Purchase of captive animal, etc., by a person other than a licensee. 

CHAPTER VA 
PROHIBITION OF TRADE OR COMMERCE IN TROPHIES, ANIMAL ARTICLES, 
ETC., DERIVED FROM CERTAIN ANIMALS 

49A. Definitions. 
49B. Prohibition of dealings in trophies, animal articles, etc., derived from scheduled  

animals. 

49C. Declaration by dealers. 

CHAPTER VI 
PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF OFFENCES 

50.  Power of entry, search, arrest and detention. 
51.  Penalties. 
51A. Certain conditions to apply while granting bail. 
52.  Attempts and abetment. 
53.  Punishment for wrongful seizure. 
54.  Power to compound offences. 
55.  Cognizance of offences. 
56.  Operation of other laws not barred. 
57.  Presumption to be made in certain cases. 
58.  Offences by Companies. 

CHAPTER VIA 
FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL HUNTING AND TRADE 

58A. Application. 
58B. Definitions. 
58C. Prohibition of holding illegally acquired property.  
58D. Competent authority.  
58E. Identifying illegally acquired property. 
58F. Seizure or freezing of illegally acquired property. 
58G. Management of properties seized or forfeited under this Chapter. 
58H. Notice of forfeiture of property. 
58-I. Forfeiture of property in certain cases. 
58J. Burden of proof. 
58K. Fine in lieu of forfeiture. 
58L. Procedure in relation to certain trust properties. 
58M. Certain transfer to be null and void. 
58N. Constitution of Applellate Tribunal. 
58-O. Appeals. 
58P. Notice or order not to be invalid for error in description. 
58Q. Bar of Jurisdiction. 
58R. Competent Authority and Appellate Tribunal to have powers of civil court. 
58S. Information to competent authority. 
58T. Certain officers to assist Administrator, competent authority and Appellate Tribunal. 

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SECTIONS 

58U.Power to take possession. 
58V. Rectification of mistakes. 
58W. Findings under other laws not conclusive for proceedings under this Chapter. 
58X. Service of notices and orders. 
58Y. Punishment for acquiring property in relating to which proceeings have been taken under this 
Chapter. 

CHAPTER VII 
MISCELLANEOUS 

59.  Officers to be public servants. 
60.  Protection of action taken in good faith. 
60A. Reward to persons. 
60B. Reward by State Government. 
61.  Power to alter entries in Schedules. 
62.  Declaration of certain wild animals to be vermin. 
63.  Power of Central Government to make rules. 
64.  Power of State Government to make rules. 
65.  Rights of Scheduled Tribes to be protected. 
66.  Repeal and savings. 
SCHEDULE I 
SCHEDULE II 
SCHEDULE III 
SCHEDULE IV 
SCHEDULE V 
SCHEDULE VI 

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THE WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972 

ACT NO. 53 OF 1972 

[9th September, 1972.]  
1[An  Act  to  provide  for  the  protection  of  wild  animals,  birds  and  plants  and  for  matters  connected 
therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental 
security of the country.] 
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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Wild Life (Protection) 

Act, 1972. 

3[(2) It extends to the whole of India4***.] 
(3) It shall come into force in a State or Union territory to which it extends5***on such date as the 
Central  Government  may,  by  notification,  appoint,  and  different  dates  may  be  appointed  for  different 
provisions of this Act or for different States or Union territories. 

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

6[(1)  “animal”  includes  amphibians,  birds,  mammals  and  reptiles  and  their  young,  and  also 

includes, in the cases of birds and reptiles, their eggs;] 

(2)  “animal  article”  means  an  article  made  from  any  captive  animal  or  wild  animal,  other  than 
vermin, and includes an article or object in which the whole or any part of such animal  7[has been 
used, and ivory imported into India and an article made therefrom]; 

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9[(4) “Board” means a State Board for Wild Life constituted under sub-section (1) of section 6;] 
(5)  “captive  animal”  means  any  animal,  specified  in  Schedule  I,  Schedule  II,  Schedule  III  or 

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Schedule IV, which is captured or kept or bred in captivity; 

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(7)  “Chief  Wild  Life  Warden’  means  the  person  appointed  as  such  under  clause  (a)  of  

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sub-section (1) of section 4; 

11[(7A) “circus” means an establishment, whether stationary or mobile, where animals are kept or 

used wholly or mainly for the purpose of performing tricks or manoeuvres;] 

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13[(9) “Collector” means the chief officer in charge of the revenue administration of a district or 
any  other  officer  not  below  the  rank  of  a  Deputy  Collector  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  State 
Government under section 18B in this behalf;] 

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(10) “commencement of this Act”, in relation to— 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 2, for the long title (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. The preamble omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 3 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4.  The  words  “except  the  State  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir”  omitted  by  Act  34  of  2019,  s.  95  and  the  Fifth  Schedule  

(w.e.f. 31-10-2019). 

5. The words “,or may become extended in future,” omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
6. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for clause (1) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
7. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5, for “has been used” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).  
8.  Clause (3) omitted by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).  
9. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for clause (4) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
10. Clause (6) omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
11. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
12. Clause (8) omitted by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
13. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for clause (9) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
* Subject to verification and confirmation by the administrative ministry. 

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(a) a State, means commencement of this Act in that State, 

(b) any provision of this Act, means the commencement of that provision In the concerned 

State; 
1[(11) “dealer” in relation to any captive animal, animal article, trophy, uncured trophy, meat or 
specified plant, means a person, who carries on the business of buying or selling any such animal or 
article, and includes a person who undertakes business in any single transaction;] 

(12)  “Director”  means  the  person  appointed  as  Director  of  Wild  Life  Preservation  under 

clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 3; 

2[(12A) “Forest officer” means the Forest officer appointed under clause (2) of section 2 of the 

Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927) or under any other Act for the time being in force in a State; 

(12B) “forest produce” shall have the same meaning as in sub-clause (b) of clause (4) of section 2 

of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927);] 

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(14) “Government property” means any property referred to in section 394[or section 17H]; 

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(15) “habitat” includes land, water or vegetation which is the natural home of any wild animal; 

(16) “hunting”, with its grammatical variations and cognate expressions, includes,— 

5[(a) killing or poisoning of any wild animal or captive animal and every attempt to do so; 

(b) capturing, coursing, snaring, trapping, driving or baiting any wild or captive animal and 

every attempt to do so;] 

(c) injuring or destroying or taking any part of the body of any such animal or, in the case of 
wild birds or reptiles, damaging the eggs of such birds or reptiles, or disturbing the eggs or nests 
of such birds or reptiles; 

(17) “land” includes canals, creeks and other water channels, reservoirs, rivers, streams and lakes, 

whether artificial or natural, 6[marshes and wetlands and also includes boulders and rocks]; 

(18) “licence” means a licence granted under this Act; 
7[(18A)  “livestock”  means  farm  animals  and  includes  buffaloes,  bulls,  bullocks,  camels,  cows, 
donkeys, goats, sheep, horses, mules, yaks, pigs, ducks, geese, poultry and their young but does not 
include any animal specified in Schedules I to V;] 

8[(19)  “manufacturer”  means  a  person  who  manufactures  articles  from  any  animal  or  plant 

specified in Schedules I to V and VI, as the case may be; 

(20) “meat” includes blood, bones, sinew, eggs, shell or carapace, fat and flesh with or without 

skin, whether raw or cooked, of any wild animal or captive animal, other than a vermin; 

(20A) “National Board” means the National Board for Wild Life constituted under section 5A;] 

(21) “National Park” means an area declared, whether under section 35 or section 38, or deemed, 

under sub-section (3) of section 66, to be declared, as a National Park; 

(22) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette; 

(23) “permit” means a permit granted under this Act or any rule made thereunder; 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for clause (11) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for clause (12A) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Clause (13) omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for sub-clauses (a) and (b) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
6. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5, for “and also includes boulders and rocks” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
7. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for clause (18A) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
8. Subs. by s.3, ibid., for clauses (19) and (20) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

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(24) “person” includes a firm; 
1[(24A)  “protected  area”  means  a  National  Park,  a  sanctuary,  a  conservation  reserve  or  a 

community reserve notified under sections 18, 35, 36A and 36C of the Act;] 

(25) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 
2[(25A) “recognised zoo” means a zoo recognised under section 38H; 
3[(25B) “reserve forest” means the forest declared to be reserved by the State Government under 
section 20 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (16 of 1927), or declared as such under any other State Act; 

(26)  “sanctuary”  means  an  area  declared  as  a  sanctuary  by  notification  under  the  provisions  of 
Chapter IV of this Act and shall also include a deemed sanctuary under sub-section (4) of section 66;] 

4[(27) “specified plant” means any plant specified in Schedule VI;] 
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(29) “State Government”, in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator of that Union 

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territory appointed by the President under article 239 of the Constitution; 

6[(30)  “taxidermy”,  with  its  grammatical  variations  and  cognate  expressions,  means  the  curing, 

preparation or preservation or mounting of trophies;] 

7[(30A) “territorial waters” shall have the same meaning as in section 3 of the Territorial Waters, 

Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976);] 

(31)  “trophy”  means  the  whole  or  any  part  of  any  captive  animal  or  wild  animal,  other  than 
vermin,  which  has  been  kept  or  preserved  by  any  means,  whether  artificial  or  natural,  and 
includes— 

(a) rugs, skins and specimens of such animal mounted in whole or in part through  a process 

of taxidermy, and 

8[(b) antler, bone, carapace, shell, horn, rhinoceros horn, hair, feather, nail, tooth, tusk, musk, 

eggs, nests and honeycomb;] 

(32) “uncured trophy” means the whole or any part of any captive animal or wild animal, other 
than  vermin,  which  has  not  undergone  a  process  of  taxidermy,  and  includes  a  9[freshly  killed  wild 
animal, ambergris, musk and other animal products]; 

(33)  “vehicle”  means  any  conveyance  used  for  movement  on  land,  water  or  air  and  includes 

buffalo, bull, bullock, camel, donkey, elephant, horse and mule; 

(34) “vermin” means any wild animal specified in Schedule V; 

(35) “weapon” includes ammunition, bows and arrows, explosives, firearms, hooks’ knives, nets 
poison,  snares  and  traps  and  any  instrument  or  apparatus  capable  of  anaesthetizing,  decoying, 
destroying, injuring or killing an animal; 

10[(36) “wild animal” means any animal specified in Schedules I to IV and found wild in nature;] 
11[(37)  “wild  life”  includes  any  animal,  aquatic  or  land  vegetation  which  forms  part  of  any 

habitat;] 

1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for clauses (25B) and (26) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
4. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5, for clause (27) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Clause (28) omitted by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
6. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for clause (30) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
7. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
8. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for sub-clause (b) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
9. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5, for “freshly-killed wild animals” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
10. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for clause (36) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
11. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for clause (37) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

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(38) “Wild Life Warden” means the person appointed as such under clause (b) of sub-section (1) 

of section 4; 

1[(39)  “zoo”  means  an  establishment,  whether  stationary  or  mobile,  where  captive  animals  are 
kept  for  exhibition  to  the  public2[and  includes  a  circus  and  rescue  centres  but  does  not  include  an 
establishment] of a licensed dealer in captive animals.] 

AUTHORITIES TO BE APPOINTED OR CONSTITUTED UNDER THE ACT 

CHAPTER II 

3.  Appointment  of  Director  and  other  officers.—(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  for  the 

purposes of this Act, appoint,— 

(a) A Director of Wild Life Preservation; 
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(c) such other officers and employees as may be necessary. 

(2) In the performance of his duties and exercise of his powers by or under this Act, the Director shall 

be subject to such general or special directions, as the Central Government may, from time to time, give. 

4[(3)  The  officers  and  other  employees  appointed  under  this  section  shall  be  required  to  assist  the 

Director.] 

4.  Appointment  of  Life  Warden  and  other  officers.—(1)  The  State  Government  May,  for  the 

purpose of this Act, appoint,— 

(a) a Chief Wild Life Warden;  
(b) Wild Life Wardens; 5*** 
6[(bb) Honorary Wild Life Wardens;] 

(c) suchother officers and employees as may be necessary.  

(2) In the performance of his duties and exercise of his powers by or under this Act, the Chief Wild 
Life  Warden  shall  be  subject  to  such  general  or  special  directions,  as  the  State  Government  may  from 
time to time, give. 

(3)  7[The  Wild  Life  Warden,  the  Honorary  Wild  Life  Warden]  and  other  officers  and  employees 

appointed under this section shall be subordinate to the Chief Wild Life Warden. 

5. Power to delegate.—(1) The Director may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, 
by order in writing, delegate all or any of his powers and duties under this Act to any officer subordinate 
to him subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the order. 

(2) The Chief Wild Life Warden may, with the previous approval of the State Government, by order 
in writing, delegate all or any of his powers and duties under this Act, except those under clause (a) of 
sub-section (1) of section 11, to any officer subordinate to him subject to such conditions, if any, as may 
be specified in the order. 

(3) Subject to any general or special direction given or condition imposed by the Director or the Chief 
Wild Life Warden, any person, authorised by the Director or the Chief Wild Life Warden to exercise any 
powers,  may  exercise  those  powers  in  the  same  manner  and  to  the  same  effect  as  if  they  had  been 
conferred on that person directly by this Act and not by way of delegation. 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 5 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 3, for “but does not include a circus and an establishment” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Clause (b) omitted by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
5. The word “and” omitted by 44 of 1991, s. 6 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
6. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 5, for clause (bb) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
7. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 6,for “The Wild Life Warden” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

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1[5A.  Constitution  of  the  National  Board  for  Wild  Life.—(1)  The  Central  Government  shall, 
within three months from the date of commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 
(16 of 2003), constitute the National Board for Wild Lifeconsisting of the following members, namely:— 

(a) the Prime Minister as Chairperson; 

(b) the Minister in-charge of Forests and Wild Life as Vice-Chairperson; 

(c)  three  members  of  Parliament  of  whom  two  shall  be  from  the  House  of  the  People  and  one 

from the Council of States; 

(d) Member, Planning Commission in-charge of Forests and Wild Life; 

(e)  five  persons  to  represent  non-governmental  organizations  to  be  nominated  by  the  Central 

Government; 

(f)  ten  persons  to  be  nominated  by  the  Central  Government  from  amongst  eminent 

conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists; 

(g)  the  Secretary  to  the  Government  of  India  in-charge  of  the  Ministry  or  Department  of  the 

Central Government dealing with Forests and Wild Life; 

(h) the Chief of the Army Staff; 

(i) the Secretary to the Government of India in-charge of the Ministry of Defence; 

(j)  the  Secretary  to  the  Government  of  India  in-charge  of  the  Ministry  of  Information  and 

Broadcasting; 

(k)  the  Secretary  to  the  Government  of  India  in-charge  of  the  Department  of  Expenditure, 

Ministry of Finance; 

(l) the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Tribal Welfare; 

(m)  the  Director-General  of  Forests  in  the  Ministry  or  Department  of  the  Central  Government 

dealing with Forests and Wild Life; 

(n) the Director-General of Tourism, Government of India; 

(o) the Director-General, Indian Council for Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun; 

(p) the Director, Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun; 

(q) the Director, Zoological Survey of India; 

(r) the Director, Botanical Survey of India; 

(s) the Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute; 

(t) the Member-Secretary, Central Zoo Authority; 

(u) the Director, National Institute of Oceanography; 

(v) one representative each from ten States and Union territories by rotation, to be nominated by 

the Central Government; 

(w)  the  Director  of  Wild  Life  Preservation  who  shall  be  the  Member-Secretary  of  the  National 

Board. 

(2) The term of office of the  members other than those who are members  ex officio, the manner of 
filling vacancies referred to in clauses (e), (f) and (v) of sub-section (1), and the procedure to be followed 
in  the  discharge  of  their  functions  by  the  members  of  the  National  Board  shall  be  such,  as  may  be 
prescribed. 

(3) The members (except members ex officio) shall be entitled to receive such allowances in respect 

of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as may be prescribed. 

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any  other law for the time being in force, the office of a 

member of the National Board shall not be deemed to be an office of profit. 

1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 6 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

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5B.  Standing  Committee of  the  National Board.—(1) The  National  Board  may,  in  its discretion, 
constitute a Standing Committee for the purpose of exercising such powers and performing such duties as 
may be delegated to the Committee by the National Board. 

(2)  The  Standing  Committee  shall  consist  of  the  Vice-Chairperson,  the  Member-Secretary,  and  not 
more  than  ten  members  to  be  nominated  by  the  Vice-Chairperson  from  amongst  the  members  of  the 
National Board. 

(3)  The  National  Board  may  constitute  committees,  sub-committees  or  study  groups,  as  may  be 

necessary, from time to time in proper discharge of the functions assigned to it. 

5C. Functions of the National Board.—(1) It shall be the duty of the National Board to promote the 

conservation and development of wild life and forests by such measures as it thinks fit. 

(2)  Without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  provision,  the  measures  referred  to  therein 

may provide for— 

(a) framing policies and advising the Central Government and the State Governments on the ways 
and means of promoting wild life conservation and effectively controlling poaching and illegal trade 
of wild life and its products; 

(b) making recommendations on the setting up of and management of national parks, sanctuaries 

and other protected areas and on matters relating to restriction of activities in those areas; 

(c) carrying out or causing to be carried but impact assessment of various projects and activities 

on wild life or its habitat; 

(d) reviewing from time to time, the progress in the field of wild life conservation in the country 

and suggesting measures for improvement thereto; and 

(e) preparing and publishing a status report at least once in two years on wild life in the country.] 
1[6. Constitution of State Board for Wild Life.—(1) The State Government shall, within a period of 
six months from the date of commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 (16 of 
2003) constitute a State Board for Wild Life consisting of the following members, namely:— 

(a)  the  Chief  Minister  of  the  State  and  in  case  of  the  Union  territory,  either  Chief  Minister  or 

Administrator, as the case may be - Chairperson; 

(b) the Minister in-charge of Forests and Wild Life - Vice-Chairperson; 

(c) three members of the State Legislature or in the case of a Union territory with Legislature, two 

members of the Legislative Assembly of that Union territory; 

(d)  three  persons  to  represent  non-governmental  organizations  dealing  with  wild  life  to  be 

nominated by the State Government; 

(e) ten persons to be nominated by the State Government from amongst eminent conservationists, 

ecologists and environmentalists including at least two representatives of the Scheduled Tribes; 

(f) the Secretary to the State Government or the Government of the Union territory, as the case 

may be, in-charge of Forests and Wild Life; 

(g) the Officer in-charge of the State Forest Department; 

(h) the Secretary to the State Government, Department of Tribal Welfare; 

(i) the Managing Director, State Tourism Development Corporation; 

(j) an officer of the State Police Department not below the rank of Inspector-General; 

(k) a representative of the Armed Forces not below the rank of a Brigadier to be nominated by the 

Central Government; 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 7, for section 6 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

11 

 
                                                           
(l) the Director, Department of Animal Husbandry of the State; 

(m) the Director, Department of Fisheries of the State; 

(n) an officer to be nominated by the Director, Wild Life Preservation; 

(o) a representative of the Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun; 

(p) a representative of the Botanical Survey of India; 

(q) a representative of the Zoological Survey of India; 

(r) the Chief Wild Life Warden, who shall be the Member-Secretary. 

(2) The term of office of the members other than those who are members ex officio and the manner of 
filling vacancies referred to in clauses (d) and (e) of sub-section (1) and procedure to be followed shall be 
such, as may be prescribed. 

(3) The member (except members ex officio) shall be entitled to receive such allowances in respect of 

expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as may be prescribed.] 

7. Procedure to be followed by the Board.—(1) The Board shall meet at least twice a year at such 

place as the State Government may direct. 

(2) The Board shall regulate its own procedure (including the quorum) 

(3)  No  act  or  proceeding  of  the  Board  shall  be  invalid  merely  by  reason  of  the  existence  of  any 
vacancy therein or any defect in the constitution thereof or any irregularity in the procedure of the Board 
not affecting the merits of the case. 

8. Duties of  1[State Board for Wild Life].—It shall be the duty of  1[State Board for Wild Life] to 

advise the State Government,— 

2[(a) in the selection and management of areas to be declared as protected areas;] 
3[(b)  in formulation  of  the policy  for  protection  and  conservation  of  the  wild  life  and  specified 

plants;] 

(c) in any matter relating to the amendment of any Schedule; 4*** 
5[(cc) in relation to the measures to be taken for harmonising the needs of the tribals and other 

dwellers of the forest with the protection and conservation of wild life; and] 

(d) in any other matter connected with the protection of wild life, which may bereferred to it by 

the State Government. 

CHAPTER III 

HUNTING OF WILD ANIMALS 

6[9. Prohibition of hunting.—No person shall hunt any wild animal specified in Schedules I, II, III 

and IV except as provided under section 11 and section 12.] 

[10.  Maintenance  of  records  of  wild  animals  killed  or  captured.]—Omitted  by  the  Wild  Life 

(Protection) Amendment Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), s. 10 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 8, for “the Wild Life Advisory Board” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for clause (a) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 8, for clause (b) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. The word “and” omitted by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Ins. by s. 8, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
6. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for section 9 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

12 

 
 
 
                                                           
11.  Hunting  of  wild  animals  to  be  permitted  in  certain  cases.—(1)  Notwithstanding  anything 

contained in any other law for the time being in force and subject to the provisions of Chapter IV,— 

(a) the Chief Wild Life Warden may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule 
I  has  become  dangerous  to  human  life  or  is  so  disabled  or  diseased  as  to  be  beyond  recovery,  by 
Order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt such animal or cause such 
animal to be hunted; 

1[Provided that no wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is 

satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated: 

Provided further that no such captured animal shall be kept in captivity unless the Chief Wild Life 
Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be rehabilitated in the wild and the reasons for the same 
are recorded in writing. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (a), the process of capture or translocation, as the case 
may be, of such animal shall be made in such manner as to cause minimum trauma to the said animal] 
(b)  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  the  authorised  officer  may,  if  he  is  satisfied  that  any  wild 
animal specified in Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV, has become dangerous to human life or 
to  property  (including  standing  crops  on  any  land)  or  is  so  disabled  or  diseased  as  to  be  beyond 
recovery, by order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt 2[such animal 
or group of animals in a specified area or cause such animal or group of animals in that specified area 
to be hunted]. 
(2) The killing or wounding in good faith of any wild animal in defence of oneself or of any other 

person shall not be an offence: 

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall exonerate any person who, when such defence becomes 
necessary, was committing any act in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made 
thereunder. 

(3) Amy wild animal killed or wounded in defence of any person shall be Government property. 
12. Grant of permit for special purposes.—Notwithstanding anything contained  elsewhere in this 
Act, it shall be lawful for the Chief Wild Life Warden, to grant3***a permit, by an order in writing stating 
the reasons therefor, to any person, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, which shall entitle the 
holder  of  such  permit  to  hunt  subject  to  such  conditions  as  may  be  specified  therein,  any  wild  animal 
specified in such permit, for the purpose of,— 

(a) education; 
4[(b) scientific research; 
(bb) scientific management. 
Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (bb), the expression,“scientific management” means— 

(i) translocation of any wild animals to an alternative suitable habitat; or 
(ii) population management of wildlife, without killing or poisoning or destroying any wild 

animals;] 
5[(c) collection of specimens— 

(i) for recognised zoos subject to the permission under section 38-I; or 
(ii) for museums and similar institutions; 

(d)  derivation,  collection  or  preparation  of  snake-venom  for  the  manufacture  of  life-saving 

drugs:] 

6[Provided that no such permit shall be granted— 

(a) in respect of any wild animal specified in Schedule I, except with the previous permission 

of the Central Government, and 

1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Subs. by s.9, ibid., for “ such animal or cause such animal to be hunted” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. The words “, with the previous permission of the State Government” omitted by Act 23 of 1982, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 
4. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 
5. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 11, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
6. Ins. by Act 23 of 1982, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 

13 

 
                                                           
(b)  in  respect  of  any  other  wild  animal,  except  with  the  previous  permission  of  the  State 

Government;] 

(d)  derivation,  collection  or  preparation  of  snake-venom  for  the  manufacture  of  life-saving 

drugs:] 

13. [Suspension or cancellation of licence].—Omitted by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 

1991(44 of 1991), s. 12(w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

14. [Appeals].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

15. [Hunting of young and female of wild animals].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

16. [Declaration of closed time].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

17. [Restrictions on hunting].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

1[CHAPTER IIIA 
PROTECTION OF SPECIFIED PLANTS 

17A. Prohibition of picking, uprooting, etc. of specified plant.—Save as otherwise provided in this 

Chapter, no person shall— 

(a) wilfully pick, uproot, damage, destroy, acquire or collect any specified plant from any forest 

land and any area specified, by notification, by the Central Government; 

(b) posses, sell, offer for sale, or transfer by way of gift or otherwise, or transport any specified 

plant, whether alive or dead, or part or derivative thereof: 

Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent a member of a scheduled tribe, subject to the 
provisions  of  Chapter  IV,  from  picking,  collecting  or  possessing  in  the  district  he  resides  any 
specified plant or part or derivative thereof for his bona fide personal use. 

17B. Grants of permit for special purposes.—The Chief Wild Life Warden may, with the previous 
permission of the State Government, grant to any person a permit to pick, uproot, acquire or collect from 
a forest land or the area specified under section 17A or transport, subject to such conditions as may be 
specified therein, any specified plant for the purpose of— 

(a) education; 

(b) scientific research; 

(c) collection, preservation and display in a herbarium of any scientific institution; or 

(d) propagation by a person or an institution approved by the Central Government in this regard. 

17C.Cultivation  of  specified  plants  without  licence  prohibited.—(1)  No  person  shall  cultivate  a 
specified plant except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or 
any other officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf: 

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  section  shall  prevent  a  person,  who  immediately  before  the 
commencement  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  (Amendment)  Act,  1991  (44  of  1991),  was  cultivating  a 
specified plant from carrying on such cultivation for a period of six months from such commencement or 
where he has made an application within that period for the grant of a licence to him, until the licence is 
granted to him or he is informed in writing that a licence cannot be granted to him. 

(2) Every licence granted under this section shall specify the area in which and the conditions, if any, 

subject to which the licensee shall cultivate a specified plant. 

17D.  Dealing  in  specified  plants  without  licence  prohibited.—(1)  No  person  shall,  except  under 
and in accordance with a licence granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or any other officer authorised 
by  the  State  Government  in  this  behalf,  commence  or  carry  on  business  or  occupation  as  a  dealer  in  a 
specified plant or part or derivate thereof: 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 13 (w.e.f. 20-4-1995). 

14 

 
                                                           
Provided  that  nothing  in  this  section  shall  prevent  a  person,  who,  immediately  before  the 
commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) (Amendment) Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), was carrying on such 
business or occupation, from carrying on such business or occupation for a period of sixty days from such 
commencement, or where he has made an application within that period for the grant of a licence to him, 
until the licence is granted to him or he is informed in writing that a licence cannot be granted to him. 

(2) Every licence granted under this section shall specify the premises in which and the conditions, if 

any, subject to which the licensee shall carry on his business. 

17E. Declaration of stock.—(1) Every person cultivating, or dealing in, a specified plant or part or 
derivative thereof shall, within thirty days from the date of commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) 
(Amendment)  Act,  1991  (44  of  1991)  declare  to  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  any  other  officer 
authorised by the State Government in this behalf, his stocks of such plants and part or derivative thereof, 
as the case may be, on the date of such commencement. 

(2) The provisions of sub-sections (3) to (8) (both inclusive) of section 44, section 45, section 46 and 
section  47  shall,  as  far  as  may  be,  apply  in  relation  to  an  application  and  a  licence  referred  to  in  
section  17C  and  section  17D  as  they  apply  in  relation  to  the  licence  or  business  in  animals  or  animal 
articles. 

17F. Possession, etc., of plants by licensee.—No licensee under this Chapter shall— 

(a) keep in his control, custody or possession— 

(i) any specified plant, or part or derivative thereof in respect of which a declaration under the 

provisions of section 17E has to be made but has not been made; 

(ii)  any  specified  plant,  or  part  or  derivative  thereof  which  has  not  been  lawfully  acquired 

under the provisions of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder; 

(b) (i) pick, uproot, collect or acquire any specified plant, or 

(ii) acquire, receive, keep in his control, custody or possession, or sell, offer for sale or transport 

any specified plant or part or derivative thereof, 

except in accordance with the conditions subject to which the licence has been granted and such rules as 
may be made under this Act. 

17G. Purchase, etc., of specified plants.—No person shall purchase, receive or acquire any specified 

plant or part or derivative thereof otherwise than from a licensed dealer: 

Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to any person referred to in section 17B. 

17H. Plants to be Government property.—(1) Every specified plant or part or derivative thereof, in 
respect of which any offence against this Act or any rule or order made thereunder has been committed, 
shall be the property of the State Government, and, where such plant or part or derivative thereof has been 
collected or acquired from a sanctuary or National Park declared by the Central Government, such plant 
or part or derivative thereof shall be the property of the Central Government. 

(2) The provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 39 shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to 
the  specified  plant  or  part  or  derivative  thereof  or  they  apply  in  relation  to  wild  animals  and  articles 
referred to in sub-section (1) of that section.] 

CHAPTER IV 
1[PROTECTED AREAS] 

Sanctuaries 

18.  Declaration  of  sanctuary.—2[(1)  The  State  Government  may,  by  notification,  declare  its 
intention to constitute any area other than an area comprised within any reserve forest or the territorial 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 10 for the heading (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 15, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

15 

 
                                                           
waters  as  a  sanctuary  if  it  considers  that  such  area  is  of  adequate  ecological,  faunal,  floral, 
geomorphological,  natural  or  zoological  significance,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting,  propagating  or 
developing wild life or its environment.] 

(2) The notification referred to in sub-section (1) shall specify, as nearly as possible, the situation and 

limits of such area. 

Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section,  it  shall  be  sufficient  to  describe  the  area  by  roads, 

rivers, ridges or other well-known or readily intelligible boundaries. 

1[18A.  Protection  to  sanctuaries.—(1)  When  the  State  Government  declares  its  intention  under  
sub-section (1) of section 18 to constitute any area, not comprised within any reserve forest or territorial 
waters under that sub-section, as a sanctuary, the provisions of sections 27 to 33A (both inclusive) shall 
come into effect forthwith. 

(2) Till such  time  as  the rights  of affected  persons  are  finally  settled  under sections 19 to  24  (both 
inclusive), the State Government shall make alternative arrangements required for making available fuel, 
fodder  and  other  forest  produce  to  the  persons  affected,  in  terms  of  their rights as  per the  Government 
records. 

18B.  Appointment  of  Collectors.—The  State  Government  shall  appoint,  an  officer  to  act  as 
Collector  under  the  Act,  within  ninety  days  of  coming  into  force  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection) 
Amendment Act, 2002 (16 of 2003), or within thirty days of the issue of notification under section 18, to 
inquire  into  and  determine  the  existence,  nature  and  extent  of  rights  of  any  person  in  or  over  the  land 
comprised within the limits of the sanctuary which may be notified under sub-section (1) of section 18.] 

19.  Collector  to  determine  rights.—2[When  a  notification  has  been  issued  under  section  18,]  the 
Collector shall inquire into, and determine, the existence, nature and extent of the rights of any person in 
or over the land comprised within the limits of the sanctuary. 

20.  Bar  of  accrual  of  rights.—After  the  issue  of  a notification  under  section 18,  no  right  shall  be 
acquired  in,  on  or  over  the  land  comprised  within  the  limits  of  the  area  specified  in  such  notification, 
except by succession, testamentary or intestate. 

21.  Proclamation  by  Collector.—When  a  notification  has  been  issued  under  section  18,  the 
Collector shall3[within a period of sixty days] publish in the regional language in every town and village 
in or in the neighbourhood of the area comprised therein, a proclamation— 

(a) specifying, as nearly as possible, the situation and the limits of the sanctuary; and 

(b)  requiring  any  person,  claiming  any  right  mentioned  In  section  19,  to  prefer  before  the 
Collector, within two months from the date of such proclamation, a written claim in the prescribed form, 
specifying  the  nature  and extent  of  such right  with  necessary  details  and  the amount  and  particulars  of 
compensation, if any, claimed in respect thereof. 

22.  Inquiry  by  Collector.—The  Collector  shall,  after  service  of  the  prescribed  notice  upon  the 

claimant, expeditiously inquire into— 

(a) the claim preferred before him under clause (b) of section 21, and 

(b)  the  existence  of  any  right  mentioned  in  section  19  and  not  claimed  under  clause  (b)  of  

section 21, 

so far as the same may be ascertainable from the records of the State Government and the evidence of any 
person acquainted with the same. 

1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 11 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 16, for “Whenever any area is declared to be a sanctuary” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 12 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

16 

 
 
 
                                                           
23. Powers of Collector.—For the purpose of such inquiry, the Collector may exercise the following 

powers, namely:— 

(a) the power to enter in or upon any land and to survey, demarcate and make a map of the same 

or to authorise any other officer to do so; 

(b) the same powers as are vested in a civil court for the trial of suits. 

24.  Acquisition  of  rights.—(1)  In  the  case  of  a  claim  to  a  right  in  or  over  any  land  referred  to  in 

section 19, the Collector shall pass an order admitting or rejecting the same in whole or in part. 

(2) If such claim is admitted in whole or in part, the Collector may either— 

(a) exclude such land from the limits of the proposed sanctuary, or 

(b) proceed to acquire such land or rights, except where by an agreement between the owner of 
such land or holder of rights and the Government, the owner or holder of such rights has agreed to 
surrender his rights to the Government, in or over such land” and on payment of such compensation, 
as is provided in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894(1 of 1894). 

1[(c) allow, in consultation with the Chief Wild Life Warden, the continuation of any right of any 

person in or over any land within the limits of the sanctuary.] 

25. Acquisition proceedings.—(1) For the purpose of acquiring such land, or rights in or over such 

land,— 

(a) the Collector shall be deemed to be a Collector, proceeding under the Land Acquisition Act, 

1894 (1 of 1894);  

(b) the claimant shall be deemed to be a person interested and appearing before him in pursuance 

of a notice given under section 9 of that Act; 

(c) the provisions of the sections, preceding section 9 of that Act, shall be deemed to have been 

complied with; 

(d)  where  the  claimant  does  not  accept  the  award  made  in  his  favour  ha  the  matter  of 
compensation,  he  shall  be  deemed,  within  the  meaning  of  section  18  of  that  Act,  to  be  a  person 
interested who has not accepted the award, and shall be entitled to proceed to claim relief against the 
award under the provisions of Part III of that Act;  

(e)  the  Collector,  with  the  consent  of  the  claimant,  or  the  court,  with  the  consent  of  both  the 

parties, may award compensation in land or money or partly in land and partly in money; and 

(f) in the case of the stoppage of a public way or a common pasture, the Collector may, with the 
previous sanction of the State Government, provide for an alternative public way or common pasture, 
as far as may be practicable or convenient. 

(2) The acquisition under this Act of any land or interest therein shall be deemed to be acquisition for 

a public purpose. 

2[25A.  Time-limit  for  completion  of  acquisition  proceedings.—(1)  The  Collector  shall,  as  far  as 
possible, complete the proceedings under sections 19 to 25 (both inclusive), within a period of two years 
from the date of notification of declaration of sanctuary under section 18. 

(2)  The  notification  shall  not  lapse  if,  for  any  reasons,  the  proceedings  are  not  completed  within  a 

period of two years.] 

26.  Delegation  of  Collector’s  powers.—The  State  Government  may,  by  general  or  special  order, 
direct that the Powers exercisable or the functions to be performed by the Collector under sections 19 to 
25  (both  inclusive)  may  be  exercised  and  performed  by  such  other  officer  as  may  be  specified  in  the 
order. 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 17 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 13 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

17 

 
                                                           
1[26A. Declaration of area as sanctuary.—(1) When— 

(a)  a  notification  has  been  issued  under  section  18  and  the  period  for  preferring  claims  has 
elapsed, and all claims, if any, made in relation to any land in an area  intended to be declared as a 
sanctuary, have been disposed of by the State Government; or 

(b)  any  area  comprised  within  any  reserve  forest  or  any  part  of  the  territorial  waters,  which  is 
considered  by  the  State  Government  to  be  of  adequate  ecological  faunal  floral  geomorphological, 
natural or zoological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life or 
its environment, is to be included in a sanctuary, 

the State Government shall issue a notification specifying the limits of the area which shall be comprised 
within the sanctuary and declare that the said area shall be sanctuary on and from such date as may be 
specified in the notification: 

Provided that  where any  part  of  the  territorial  waters  is to be so included,  prior  concurrence  of  the 

Central Government shall be obtained by the State Government: 

Provided further that the limits of the area of the territorial waters to be included in the sanctuary shall 
be determined in consultation with the Chief Naval Hydrographer of the Central Government and after 
taking adequate measures to protect the occupational interests of the local fishermen. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the right of innocent passage of any vessel 
or boat through the territorial waters shall not be affected by the notification issued under sub-section (1). 
2[(3) No alteration of the boundaries of a sanctuary shall be made by the State Government except on 

a recommendation of the National Board.] 

27. Restriction on entry in sanctuary.—(1) No person other than,— 

(a) a public servant on duty, 

(b) a person who has been permitted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer to 

reside within the limits of the sanctuary, 

(c) a person who has any right over immovable property within the limits of the sanctuary, 

(d) a person passing through the sanctuary along a public highway, and 

(e) the dependants of the person referred to in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c), shall enter or 
reside  in  the  sanctuary,  except  under  and  in  accordance  with  the  conditions  of  a  permit  granted  under 
section 28. 

(2) Every person shall, so long, as he resides in the sanctuary, be bound— 

(a) to prevent the commission, in the sanctuary, of an offence against this Act; 

(b) where there is reason to believe that any such offence against this Act has been committed in 

such sanctuary, to help in discovering and arresting the offender; 

(c) to report the death of any wild animal and to safeguard its remains until the Chief Wild Life 

Warden or the authorised officer takes charge thereof; 

(d)  to  extinguish  any  fire  in  such  sanctuary  of  which  he  has  knowledge  or  information  and  to 
prevent  from  spreading,  by  any  lawful  means  in  his  power,  any  fire  within  the  vicinity  of  such 
sanctuary of which he has knowledge or information; and 

(e)  to  assist  any  forest  officer,  Chief  Wild  Life.  Warden,  Wild  Life  Warden  or  police  officer 
demanding  his  aid  for  preventing  the  commission  of  any  offence  against  this  Act  or  in  the 
investigation of any such offence. 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 18 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 14, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

18 

 
                                                           
1[(3) No person shall, with intent to cause damage to any boundary-mark of a sanctuary or to cause 
wrongful gain as defined in the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), alter, destroy, move or deface such 
boundary-mark. 

(4) No person shall tease or molest any wild animal or litter the grounds of sanctuary.] 

28. Grant of permit.—(1) The Chief Wild Life Warden may, on application, grant to any person a 

permit to enter or reside in a sanctuary for all or any of the following purposes, namely:— 

(a) investigation or study of wild life and purposes ancillary or incidental thereto; 

(b) photography; 

(c) scientific research; 

(d) tourism; 

(e) transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary. 

(2)  A  permit  to  enter  or  reside  in  a  sanctuary  shall  be  issued  subject  to  such  conditions  and  on 

payment of such fee as may be prescribed. 

2[29.  Destruction,  etc.,  in  a  sanctuary  prohibited  without  a  permit.—No  person  shall  destroy, 
exploit or remove any wild life including forest produce from a sanctuary or destroy or damage or divert 
the habitat of any wild animal by any act whatsoever or divert, stop or enhance the flow of water into or 
outside  the  sanctuary,  except  under  and  in  accordance  with  a  permit  granted  by  the  Chief  Wild  Life 
Warden, and no such permit shall be granted unless the State Government being satisfied in consultation 
with the Board that such removal of wild life from the sanctuary or the change in the flow of water into or 
outside  the  sanctuary  is  necessary  for  the  improvement  and  better  management  of  wild  life  therein, 
authorises the issue of such permit: 

Provided  that  where  the  forest  produce  is  removed  from  a  sanctuary  the  same  may  be  used  for 
meeting the personal  bona fide needs of the people living in and around the sanctuary and shall not be 
used for any commercial purpose. 

Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section,  grazing  or  movement  of  livestock  permitted  under 

clause (d) of section 33 shall not be deemed to be an act prohibited under this section.] 

30. Causing fire prohibited.—No person shall set fire to a sanctuary, or kindle any fire, or leave any 

fire burning, in a sanctuary, in such manner as to endanger such sanctuary. 

31. Prohibition of entry into sanctuary with weapon.—No person shall enter a sanctuary with any 
weapon except with the previous permission in writing of the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised 
officer. 

32. Ban on use of injurious substances.—No person shall use, in a sanctuary, chemicals, explosives 

or any other substances which may cause injury to, or endanger, any wild life in such sanctuary. 

33. Control of sanctuaries.—The Chief Wild Life Warden shall be the authority who shall control, 

manage and maintain all sanctuaries and for that purpose, within the limits of any sanctuary,— 

(a) may construct such roads, bridges, buildings, fences or barrier gates, and carry out such other 

works as he may consider necessary for the purposes of such sanctuary: 

3[Provided  that  no  construction  of  commercial  tourist  lodges,  hotels,  zoos  and  safari  parks 

shall be undertaken inside a sanctuary except with the prior approval of the National Board.] 

(b)  shall  take  such  steps  as  will  ensure  the  security  of  wild  animals  in  the  sanctuary  and  the 

preservation of the sanctuary and wild animals therein; 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 19 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 15, for section 29 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).  
3. Ins. by s. 16, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).  

19 

 
                                                           
(c)  may  take  such  measures,  in  the  interests  of  wild  life,  as  he  may  consider  necessary  for  the 

improvement of any habitat; 

(d)  may  regulate,  control  or  prohibit,  in  keeping  with  the  interests  of  wild  life,  the  grazing  or 

movement of 1[live-stock.] 

2*** 

3[33A. Immunisation of live-stock.—(1) The Chief Wild Life Warden shall take such measures in 
such  manner,  as  may  be  prescribed,  for  immunisation  against  communicable  diseases  of  the  live-stock 
kept in or within five kilometres of a sanctuary. 

(2) No person shall take, or cause to be taken or grazed, any live-stock in a sanctuary without getting 

it immunised.] 

4[33B.  Advisory  Committee.—(1)  The  State  Government  shall  constitute  an  Advisory  Committee 
consisting of the Chief Wild Life Warden or his nominee not below the rank of Conservator of Forests as 
its head and shall include a member of the State Legislature within whose constituency the sanctuary is 
situated,  three  representatives  of  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions,  two  representatives  of  non-governmental 
organisations and three individuals active in the field of wild life conservation, one representative each 
from departments dealing with Home and Veterinary matters, Honorary Wild Life Warden, if any, and the 
officer-in-charge of the sanctuary as Member-Secretary. 

(2)  The  Committee  shall  render  advice  on  measures  to  be  taken  for  better  conservation  and 
management of the sanctuary including participation of the people living within and around the sanctuary. 

(3) The Committee shall regulate its own procedure including quorum.] 

34.  Registration  of  certain  persons  in  possession  of  arms.—(1)  Within  three  months  from  the 
declaration  of  any  area  as  a  sanctuary,  every  person  residing  in  or  within  ten  kilometres  of  any  such 
sanctuary and holding a licence granted under the Arms Act, 1959(54 of 1959), for the possession of arms 
or exempted from the provisions of that Act and possessing arms, shall apply in such form, on payment of 
such  fee  and  within  such  time  as  may  be  prescribed,  to  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  the  authorised 
officer, for the registration of his name. 

(2) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised 

officer shall register the name of the applicant in such manner as may be prescribed. 

5[(3) No new licences under the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959) shall be granted within a radius of ten 

kilometres of a sanctuary without the prior concurrence of the Chief Wild Life Warden.] 

National Parks 

35. Declaration of National Parks.—(1) Whenever it appears to the State Government that an area, 
whether  within  a  sanctuary  or  not,  is,  by  reason  of  its  ecological,  faunal,  floral,  geomorphological  or 
zoological  association  or  importance,  needed  to  be  constituted  as  a  National  Park  for  the  purpose  of 
protecting, propagating or developing wild life therein or its environment, it may, by notification, declare 
its intention to constitute such area as a National Park. 

6[Provided  that  where  any part  of  the  territorial  waters  is  proposed  to  be  included  in  such  National 
Park,  the  provisions  of  section  26A  shall,  as  far  as  may  be,  apply  in  relation  to  the  declaration  of  a 
National Park as they apply in relation to the declaration of a sanctuary.] 

(2) The notification referred to in sub-section (1) shall define the limits of the area which is intended 

to be declared as a National Park. 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 21, for “cattle;” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Clause (e) omitted by s. 21, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by s. 22, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 17 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
5. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 22A (w.e.f. 21-5-2001). 
6. Added by s. 23, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

20 

 
                                                           
(3) Where any area is intended to be declared as a National Park, the provisions of sections  1[19 to 
26A (both inclusive except cause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 24)] shall, as far as may, be, apply to 
the investigation and determination of claims, and extinguishment of rights, in relation to any land in such 
area as they apply to the said matters in relation to any land in a sanctuary. 

(4) When the following events have occurred, namely,— 

(a)  the  period  for  preferring  claims  has  elapsed, and all claims,  if  any,  made  in  relation  to any 
land  in  an  area  intended  to  be  declared  as  a  National  Park,  have  been  disposed  of  by  the  State 
Government, and 

(b) all rights in respect of lands proposed to be included in the National Park have become vested 

in the State Government, 

the  State  Government  shall  publish  a  notification  specifying  the  limits  of  the  area  which  shall  be 
comprised within the National Park and declare that the said area shall be a National Park on and from 
such date as may be specified in the notification. 

2[(5) No alteration of the boundaries of a National Park by the State Government shall be made except 

on a recommendation of the National Board. 

(6)  No  person  shall  destroy,  exploit  or  remove  any  Wild  Life  including  forest  produce  from  a 
National  Park  or  destroy  or  damage  or  divert  the  habitat  of  any  wild  animal  by  any  act  whatsoever  or 
divert,  stop  or  enhance  the  flow  of  water  into  or  outside  the  National  Park,  except  under  and  in 
accordance with a permit granted by the Chief Wild Life Warden, and no such permit shall be granted 
unless the State Government being satisfied in consultation with the National Board that such removal of 
wild life from the National Park or the change in the flow of water into or outside the National Park is 
necessary for the improvement and better management of wild life therein, authorises the issue of such 
permit: 

Provided that where the forest produce is removed from a National Park, the same may be used for 
meeting the personal bona fide needs of the people living in and around the National Park and shall not be 
used for any commercial purpose.] 

 (7) No grazing of any 3[live-stock] shall be permitted in a National Park and no 3[live-stock] shall be 
allowed to enter therein except where such 3[live-stock]is used as a vehicle by a person authorised to enter 
such National Park. 

(8) The provisions of sections 27 and 28, sections 30 to 32 (both inclusive), and clauses (a), (b) and 
(c) of 4[section 33, section 33A] shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to a National Park as they apply 
in relation to a sanctuary. 

5[Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section,  in  case  of  an  area,  whether  within  a  sanctuary  or 
not,  where  the rights  have  been  extinguished  and the  land  has  become  vested  in  the  State  Government 
under any Act or otherwise, such area may be notified by it, by a notification, as a National Park and the 
proceedings under sections 19 to 26 (both inclusive) and the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) of this 
section shall not apply.] 

6*** 

36.  [Declaration  of  game  reserve.]—Omitted  by  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Amendment  Act,  1991 

(44 of 1991), s. 24 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

7[36A. Declaration and management of a conservation reserve.—(1) The State Government may, 
after  having  consultations  with  the  local  communities,  declare  any  area  owned  by  the  Government, 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 23, for “section 23, for “19 to 26(both inclusive)” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 19, for sub-sections (5) and (6) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 23, for “cattle” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Subs. by s. 23, ibid., for “section 33” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 19 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
6. The sub-heading “GAME RESERVE” omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 24 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
7. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 20 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

21 

 
                                                           
particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries and those areas which link one protected 
area with another, as a conservation reserve for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their 
habitat: 

Provided that where the conservation reserve includes any land owned by the Central Government, its 

prior concurrence shall be obtained before making such declaration. 

(2) The provisions of sub-section (2) of section 18, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 27, sections 
30, 32 and clauses (b) and (c) of section 33 shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to a conservation 
reserve as they apply in relation to a sanctuary. 

36B. Conservation reserve management committee.—(1) The State Government shall constitute a 
conservation reserve management committee to advise the Chief Wild Life Warden to conserve, manage 
and maintain the conservation reserve. 

(2) The committee shall consist of a representative of the forest or Wild Life Department, who shall 
be  the  Member-Secretary  of  the  Committee,  one  representative  of  each  Village  Panchayat  in  whose 
jurisdiction the reserve is located, three representatives of non-governmental organisations working in the 
field  of  wild  life  conservation  and  one  representative  each  from  the  Department  of  Agriculture  and 
Animal Husbandry. 

(3) The Committee shall regulate its own procedure including the quorum. 

36C.  Declaration  and  management  of  community  reserve.—(1)  The  State  Government  may, 
where the community or an individual has volunteered to conserve wild life and its habitat, declare any 
private or community land not comprised within a National Park, sanctuary or a conservation reserve, as a 
community  reserve,  for  protecting  fauna,  flora  and  traditional  or  cultural  conservation  values  and 
practices. 

(2) The provisions of sub-section (2) of section 18, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 27, sections 
30,  32  and  clauses  (b)  and  (c)  of  section  33  shall,  as  far  as  may  be,  apply  in  relation  to  a  community 
reserve as they apply in relation to a sanctuary. 

(3)  After  the  issue  of  notification  under  sub-section  (1),  no  change  in  the  land  use  pattern  shall  be 
made within the community reserve, except in accordance with a resolution passed by the management 
committee and approval of the same by the State Government. 

36D.  Community  reserve  management  committee.—(1) The  State  Government  shall  constitute a 
Community  Reserve  management  committee,  which  shall  be  the  authority  responsible  for  conserving, 
maintaining and managing the community reserve. 

(2) The committee shall consist of five representatives nominated by the Village Panchayat or where 
such  Panchayat  does  not  exist  by  the  members  of  the  Gram  Sabha  and  one  representative  of  the  State 
Forests or Wild Life Department under whose jurisdiction the community reserve is located. 

(3) The committee shall be the competent authority to prepare and implement the management plan 
for  the  community  reserve  and  to  take  steps  to  ensure  the  protection  of  wild  life  and  its  habitat  in  the 
reserve. 

(4) The committee shall elect a Chairman who shall also be the Honorary Wild Life Warden on the 

community reserve. 

(5) The committee shall regulate its own procedure including the quorum.] 

Closed Area 

37.[Declaration  of  closed  area.]—Omitted  by  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Amendment  Act,  2002 

(16 of 2003), s. 21(w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

Sanctuaries or National Parks declared by Central Government 

38. Power of Central Government to declare areas as sanctuaries or National Parks.—(1) Where 
the State Government leases or otherwise transfers any area under its control, not being an area within a 
sanctuary, to the Central Government, the Central Government may, if it is satisfied that the conditions 

22 

 
specified  in  section  18  are  fulfilled  in  relation  to  the  area  so  transferred  to  it,  declare  such  area,  by 
notification, to be a sanctuary and the provisions of  1[sections 18 to 35] (both inclusive), 54 and 55 shall 
apply  in  relation  to  such  sanctuary  as  they  apply  in  relation  to  a  sanctuary  declared  by  the  State 
Government. 

(2)  The  Central  Government  may,  if  it  is  satisfied  that  the  conditions  specified  in  section  35  are 
fulfilled in relation to any area referred to in section (1), whether or not such area has been declared, to be 
a sub sanctuary by the Central Government or the State Government, declare such area, by notification, to 
be a National Park and the provisions of sections 35, 54 and 55 shall apply in relation to such National 
Park as they apply in relation to a National Park declared by the State Government. 

(3) In relation to a sanctuary or National Park declared by the Central Government, the powers and 
duties of the Chief Wild Life Warden under the sections referred to in sub-sections (1) and (2), shall be 
exercised and discharged by the Director or by such other officer as may be authorised by the Director in 
this  behalf  and  references,  in  the  sections  aforesaid,  to  the  State  Government  shall  be  construed  as 
references  to  the  Central  Government  and  reference  therein  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  shall  be 
construed as a reference to Parliament. 

2[CHAPTER IVA 

CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY AND RECOGNITION OF ZOOS 

38A. Constitution of Central Zoo Authority.—(1) The Central Government shall constitute a body 
to  be  known  as  the  Central  Zoo  Authority  (hereinafter  in  this  Chapter  referred  to  as  the  Authority),  to 
exercise the powers conferred on, and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. 

(2) The Authority shall consist of— 

(a) chairperson; 

(b) such number of members not exceeding ten; and 

(c) Member-Secretary, 

to be appointed by the Central Government. 

38B.  Term  of  office  and  conditions  of  service  of  Chairperson  and  members,  etc.—(1)  The 
chairperson and every member3[other than the Member-Secretary] shall hold office for such  period, not 
exceeding three years, as may be specified by the Central Government in this behalf. 

(2)  The  chairperson  or  a  member  may  by  writing  under  his  hand  addressed  to  the  Central 

Government, resign from the office of chairperson or, as the case may be, of the member. 

(3) The Central Government shall remove a person from the office of chairperson or member referred 

to in sub-section (2) if that person— 

(a) becomes an undischarged insolvent; 

(b)  gets  convicted  and  sentenced  to  imprisonment  for  an  offence  which  in  the  opinion  of  the 

Central Government involves moral turpitude; 

(c) becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; 

(d) refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; 

(e)  is,  without  obtaining  leave  of  absence  from  the  authority,  absent  from  three  consecutive 

meetings of the Authority; or 

(f) in the opinion of the Central Government has so abused the position of chairperson or member 

as to render that person’s continuance in office detrimental to the public interest: 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 25, for “sections 19 to 35” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Ins. by s. 26, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 22 (w.e.f.1-4-2003). 

23 

 
                                                           
Provided that no person shall be removed under this clause unless that person has been given a 

reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter. 

(4) A vacancy caused under sub-section (2) or otherwise shall be filled by fresh appointment. 

(5)  The  salaries  and  allowances  and  other  conditions  of  appointment  of  chairperson,  members  and 

Member-Secretary of the Authority shall be such as may be prescribed. 

(6) The Authority shall, with the previous sanction of the Central Government, employ such officers 

and other employees as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the Authority. 

(7) The terms and conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the Authority shall be 

such as may be prescribed. 

(8) No act or proceeding of the Authority shall be questioned or shall be invalid on the ground merely 

of the existence of any vacancies or defect in the constitution of the Authority. 

38C. Functions of the Authority.—The Authority shall perform the following functions, namely:— 

(a) specify the minimum standards for housing, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals kept in 

a zoo; 

(b) evaluate and assess the functioning of zoos with respect to the standards or the norms as may 

be prescribed; 

(c) recognise or derecognise zoos; 

(d)  identify  endangered  species  of  wild  animals for  purposes of captive  breeding  and  assigning 

responsibility in this regard to a zoo; 

(e) co-ordinate the acquisition, exchange and loaning of animals for breeding purposes; 

(f) ensure maintenance of stud-books of endangered species of wild animals bred in captivity; 

(g) identify priorities and themes with regard to display of captive animals in a zoo; 

(h) co-ordinate training of zoo personnel in India and outside India; 

(i) co-ordinate research in captive breeding and educational programmes for the purposes of zoos; 

(j) provide technical and other assistance to zoos for their proper management and development 

on scientific lines; 

(k) perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act with 

regard to zoos. 

38D.  Procedure  to  be  regulated  by  the  Authority.—(1)  The  Authority  shall  meet  as  and  when 

necessary and shall meet at such time and place as the chairperson may think fit. 

(2) The Authority shall regulate its own procedure. 

(3) All orders and decisions of the Authority shall be authenticated by the Member-Secretary or any 

other officer of the Authority duly authorised by the Member-Secretary in this behalf. 

38E.Grants and loans to Authority and Constitution of Fund.—(1) The Central Government may, 
after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Authority grants and loans 
of such sums of money as that Government may consider necessary. 

(2) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the Central Zoo Authority Fund and there shall be 
credited  thereto  any  grants  and  loans  made  to  the  Authority  by  the  Central  Government,  all  fees  and 
charges received by the Authority under this Act and all sums received by the Authority from such other 
sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government. 

(3) The Fund referred to in sub-section (2) shall be applied for meeting salary, allowances and other 
remuneration  of  the  members,  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  Authority  and  the  expenses  of  the 
Authority in the discharge of its functions under this Chapter and expenses on objects and for purposes 
authorised by this Act. 

24 

 
(4) The  Authority  shall  maintain  proper  accounts  and  other relevant  records  and  prepare  an  annual 
statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with 
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(5) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General at such 
intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be 
payable by the Authority to the Comptroller and Auditor-General. 

(6) The  Comptroller  and Auditor-General and  any  person appointed  by  him  in  connection  with the 
audit  of the  accounts  of  the  Authority  under  this  Act  shall  have  the same  rights  and  privileges  and the 
authority  in  connection  with  such  audit  as  the  Comptroller  and  Auditor-General  generally  has  in 
connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand 
the  production  of  books,  accounts,  connected  vouchers  and  other  documents  and  papers  and  to  inspect 
any of the offices of the Authority. 

(7) The accounts of the Authority, as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General or any other 
person appointed by him in this behalf, together with the audit report thereon, shall be forwarded annually 
to the Central Government by the Authority. 

38F. Annual report.—The Authority shall prepare in such form and at such time, for each financial 
year,  as  may  be  prescribed,  its  annual  report,  giving  a  full  account  of  its  activities  during  the  previous 
financial year and forward a copy thereof to the Central Government. 

38G.  Annual  report  and  audit  report  to  be  laid  before  Parliament.—The  Central  Government 
shall  cause  the  annual  report  together  with  a  memorandum  of  action  taken  on  the  recommendations 
contained  therein,  in  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the  Central  Government,  and  the  reasons  for  the  non-
acceptance, if any, of any of such recommendations and the audit report to be laid as soon as may be after 
the reports are received before each House of Parliament. 

38H. Recognition of zoos.—(1) No zoo shall be operated without being recognised by the Authority: 

Provided that a zoo being operated immediately before the date of commencement of the Wild Life 
(Protection) (Amendment) Act, 1991(44 of 1991) may continue to operate without being recognised for a 
period  of1[eighteen  months  from  the  date  of  such  commencement]  and  if  the  application  seeking 
recognition is made within that period, the zoo may continue to be operated until the said application is 
finally decided or withdrawn and in case of refusal for a further period of six months from the date of 
such refusal. 

2[(1A) On and after the commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 (16 of 

2003) a zoo shall not be established without obtaining the prior approval of the Authority.] 

(2)  Every  application  for  recognition  of  a  zoo  shall  be  made  to  the  Authority  in  such  form  and  on 

payment of such fee as may be prescribed. 

(3) Every recognition shall specify the conditions, if any, subject to which the applicant shall operate 

the zoo. 

(4) No recognition to a zoo shall be granted unless the Authority, having due regard to the interests of 
protection  and  conservation  of  wild  life,  and  such  standards,  norms  and  other  matters  as  may  be 
prescribed, is satisfied that recognition should be granted. 

(5)  No  application  for  recognition  of  a  zoo  shall  be  rejected  unless  the  applicant  has  been  given  a 

reasonable opportunity of being heard. 

(6) The Authority may, for reasons to be recorded by it, suspend or cancel any recognition granted 

under sub-section (4): 

Provided  that  no  such  suspension  or  cancellation  shall  be  made  except  after  giving  the  person 

operating the zoo a reasonable opportunity of being heard. 

1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1993, s. 2, for “six months from the date of such commencement” (w.e.f. 4-8-1992). 
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 23 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

25 

 
                                                           
(7) An appeal from an order refusing to recognise a zoo under sub-section (5) or an order suspending 

or cancelling a recognition under sub-section (6) shall lie to the Central Government. 

(8)  An  appeal  under  sub-section  (7)  shall  be  preferred  within  thirty  days  from  the  date  of 

communication to the applicant of the order appealed against: 

Provided that the Central Government may admit any appeal preferred after the expiry of the period 

aforesaid if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal in time. 

1[38-I. Acquisition of animals by a zoo.—(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, no zoo shall 
acquire, sell or transfer any wild animal or captive animal specified in Schedules I and II except with the 
previous permission of the Authority. 

(2) No zoo shall acquire, sell or transfer any wild or captive animal except from or to a recognised 

zoo.] 

38J. Prohibition of teasing, etc., in a zoo.—No person shall tease, molest, injure or feed any animal 

or cause disturbance to the animals by noise or otherwise, or litter the grounds in a zoo.] 

2[CHAPTER IVB 

NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY 

38K. Definitions.—In this Chapter,— 

(a) “National Tiger Conservation Authority” means the Tiger Conservation Authority constituted 

under section 38L; 

(b) “Steering Committee” means the Committee constituted under section 38U; 

(c) “Tiger Conservation Foundation” means the foundation established under section 38X; 

(d) “tiger reserve State” means a State having tiger reserve; 

(e) “tiger reserve” means the areas notified as such under section 38V. 

38L.Constitution of National Tiger Conservation Authority.—(1) The Central Government shall 
constitute a body to be known as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (hereinafter in this Chapter 
referred to as the Tiger Conservation Authority), to exercise the powers conferred on, and to perform the 
functions assigned to it under this Act. 

(2) The Tiger Conservation Authority shall consist of the following members, namely:— 

(a) the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests—Chairperson; 

(b) the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment and Forests—Vice-Chairperson; 

(c) three members of Parliament of whom two shall be elected by the House of the People and 

one by the Council of States; 

(d) eight experts or professionals having prescribed qualifications and experience in conservation 
of wild life and welfare of people living in tiger reserve out of which at least two shall be from the 
field of tribal development; 

(e) Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests; 

(f) Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests; 

(g) Director, Wild Life Preservation, Ministry of Environment and Forests; 

(h) six Chief Wild Life Wardens from the tiger reserve States in rotation for three years; 

(i) an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary and Legislative Counsel from the Ministry of 

Law and Justice; 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 24, for section 38-I (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 2 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006). 

26 

 
                                                           
(j) Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs; 

(k) Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; 

(l) Chairperson, National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes; 

(m) Chairperson, National Commission for the Scheduled Castes; 

(n) Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; 

(o)  Inspector-General  of  Forests  or  an  officer  of  the  equivalent  rank  having  at  least  ten  years 

experience in a tiger reserve or wildlife management, who shall be the Member-Secretary, 

to be notified by the Central Government, in the Official Gazette. 

(3)  It  is  hereby  declared  that  the  office  of  member  of  the  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  shall  not 

disqualify its holder for being chosen as, or for being, a member of either House of Parliament. 

38M.  Term  of  office  and  conditions  of  service  of  members.—(1)  A  member  nominated  under 

clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 38L shall hold office for such period not exceeding three years: 

Provided that a member may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Central Government, resign 

from his office. 

(2)  The  Central  Government  shall  remove  a  member  referred  to  in  clause  (d)  of  sub-section  (2)  of 

section 38L, from office if he— 

(a) is, or at any time has been, adjudicated as insolvent; 

(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves 

moral turpitude; 

(c) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; 

(d) refuses to act or becomes incapable of acting; 

(e)  is,  without  obtaining  leave  of  absence  from  the  Tiger  Conservation  Authority,  absent  from 

three consecutive meetings of the said Authority; or 

(f)  has,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Central  Government,  so  abused  his  position  as  to  render  his 

continuation in office detrimental to the public interest: 

Provided  that  no  member  shall  be  removed  under  this  sub-section  unless  he  has  been  given  a 

reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter. 

(3)  Any  vacancy  in  the  office  of  a  member  shall  be  filled  by  fresh  appointment  and  such  member 

shall continue for the remainder of the term of the member in whose place he is appointed. 

(4)  The  salaries  and  allowances  and  other  conditions  of  appointment  of  the  members  of  the  Tiger 

Conservation Authority shall be such as may be prescribed. 

(5) No act or proceeding of the Tiger Conservation Authority shall be questioned or shall be invalid 
on  the  ground  merely  of  the  existence  of  any  vacancy  or  defect  in  the  constitution  of  the  Tiger 
Conservation Authority. 

38N.  Officers  and  employees  of  Tiger  Conservation  Authority.—(1)  The  Tiger  Conservation 
Authority  may,  with  the  previous  sanction  of  the  Central  Government,  appoint  such  other  officers  and 
employees as it considers necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Act: 

Provided  that  the  officers  and  employees  holding  office  under  the  Directorate  of  Project  Tiger  and 
dealing  with  Project  Tiger  immediately  before  the  date  of  constitution  of  the  Tiger  Conservation 
Authority shall continue to hold office in the said Authority by the same tenure and upon the same terms 
and conditions of service or until the expiry of the period of six months from that date if such employee 
opts not to be’ the employee of that Authority. 

(2) The terms and conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the Tiger Conservation 

Authority shall be such as may be prescribed. 

27 

 
38O.  Powers  and  functions  of  Tiger  Conservation  Authority.—(1)  The  Tiger  Conservation 

Authority shall have the following powers and perform the following functions, namely:— 

(a)  to  approve  the  Tiger  Conservation  Plan  prepared  by  the  State  Government  under  

sub-section (5) of section 38V of this Act; 

(b)  evaluate  and  assess  various  aspects  of  sustainable  ecology  and  disallow  any  ecologically 

unsustainable land use such as, mining, industry and other projects within the tiger reserves; 

(c) lay down normative standards for tourism activities and guidelines for project tiger from time 
to  time  for  tiger  conservation  in  the  buffer  and  core  area  of  tiger  reserves  and  ensure  their  due 
compliance; 

(d) provide for management focus and measures for addressing conflicts of men and wild animals 
and  to  emphasise  on  co-existence  in  forest  areas  outside  the  National  Parks,  sanctuaries  or  tiger 
reserve, in the working plan code; 

(e) provide information on protection measures including future conservation plan, estimation of 
population  of  tiger  and  its  natural  prey  species,  status  of  habitats,  disease  surveillance,  mortality 
survey,  patrolling,  reports  on  untoward  happenings  and  such  other  management  aspects  as  it  may 
deem fit including future plan conservation; 

(f)  approve,  co-ordinate  research  and  monitoring  on  tiger,  co-predators,  prey,  habitat,  related 

ecological and socio-economic parameters and their evaluation; 

(g) ensure that the tiger reserves and areas linking one protected area or tiger reserve with another 
protected area or tiger reserve are not diverted for ecologically unsustainable uses, except in public 
interest  and  with  the  approval  of  the  National  Board  for  Wild  Life  and  on  the  advice  of  the  Tiger 
Conservation Authority; 

(h) facilitate and support the tiger reserve management in the State for biodiversity conservation 
initiatives  through  eco-development  and  people’s  participation  as  per  approved  management  plans 
and to support similar initiatives in adjoining areas consistent with the Central and State laws; 

(i) ensure critical support including scientific, information technology and legal support for better 

implementation of the tiger conservation plan; 

(j) facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for skill development of officers and staff of 

tiger reserves; and 

(k) perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act with 

regard to conservation of tigers and their habitat. 

(2)  The  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  may,  in  the  exercise  of  its  powers  and  performance  of  its 
functions  under  this  Chapter,  issue  directions  in  writing  to  any  person,  officer  or  authority  for  the 
protection of tiger or tiger reserves and such person, officer or authority shall be bound to comply with 
the directions: 

Provided that no such direction shall interfere with or affect the rights of local people particularly the 

Scheduled Tribes. 

38P. Procedure  to  be  regulated  by  Tiger  Conservation  Authority.—(1) The  Tiger  Conservation 

Authority shall meet at such time and at such place as the Chairperson may think fit. 

(2)  The  Chairperson  or  in  his  absence  the  Vice-Chairperson  shall  preside  over  the  meetings  of  the 

Tiger Conservation Authority. 

(3) The Tiger Conservation Authority shall regulate its own procedure. 

(4)  All  orders  and  decisions  of  the  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  shall  be  authenticated  by  the 
Member-Secretary or any other officer of the said Authority duly authorised by the Member-Secretary in 
this behalf. 

28 

 
38Q.  Grants  and  loans  to  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  and  Constitution  of  Fund.—(1)  The 
Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the 
Tiger Conservation Authority grants and loans of such sums of money as that Government may consider 
necessary. 

(2) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the Tiger Conservation Authority Fund and there 

shall be credited thereto— 

(i) any grants and loans made to the Tiger Conservation Authority by the Central Government; 

(ii) all fees and charges received by the Tiger Conservation Authority under this Act; and 

(iii) all sums received by the Authority from such other sources as may be decided upon by the 

Central Government. 

(3) The Fund referred to in sub-section (2) shall be applied for meeting salary, allowances and other 
remuneration of the members, officers and other employees of the Tiger Conservation Authority and the 
expenses  of  the  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  incurred  in  the  discharge  of  its  functions  under  this 
Chapter. 

38R.  Accounts  and  audit  of  Tiger  Conservation  Authority.—(1)  The  Tiger  Conservation 
Authority shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of 
accounts  in  such  form  as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  Central  Government  in  consultation  with  the 
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. 

(2)  The  accounts  of  the  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  shall  be  audited  by  the  Comptroller  and 
Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in 
connection with such audit shall be payable by the Tiger Conservation Authority to the Comptroller and 
Auditor-General of India. 

(3)  The  Comptroller  and  Auditor-General  of  India  and  any  other  person  appointed  by  him  in 
connection with the audit of the accounts of the Tiger Conservation Authority shall have the same rights 
and  privileges  and  authority  in  connection  with  such  audit  as  the  Comptroller  and  Auditor-General 
generally has in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the 
right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers 
and to inspect the office of the Tiger Conservation Authority. 

(4) The  accounts  of  the Tiger  Conservation  Authority  as  certified  by  the  Comptroller  and  Auditor-
General  of  India  or  any  other  person  appointed  by  him  in  this  behalf  together  with  the  audit  report 
thereon, shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government by the Tiger Conservation Authority. 

38S.  Annual  report  of  Tiger  Conservation  Authority.—The  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  shall 
prepare in such form and at such time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, 
giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year and forward a copy thereof to the 
Central Government. 

38T.  Annual  report  and  audit  report  to  be  laid  before  Parliament.—The  Central  Government 
shall  cause  the  annual  report  together  with  a  memorandum  of  action  taken  on  the  recommendations 
contained  therein,  insofar  as  they  relate  to  the  Central  Government,  and  the  reasons  for  the  non-
acceptance, if any, of  any of such recommendations, and the audit report to be laid, as soon as may be 
after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament. 

38U.  Constitution  of  Steering  Committee.—(1)  The  State  Government  may  constitute  a  Steering 
Committee for ensuring co-ordination, monitoring, protection and conservation of tiger, co-predators and 
prey animals within the tiger range States. 

(2) The Steering Committee shall consists of— 

(a) the Chief Minister —Chairperson; 

(b) the Minister in-charge of Wild Life —Vice-Chairperson; 

29 

 
(c) such number of official members not exceeding five including at least two Field Directors of 
tiger reserve or Director of National Park and one from the State Government’s Departments dealing 
with tribal affairs; 

(d) three experts or professionals having qualifications and experience in conservation of wild life 

of which at least one shall be from the field of tribal development, 

(e) two members from the State’s Tribal Advisory Council; 

(f)  one  representative  each  from  State  Government’s  Departments  dealing  with  Panchayati  Raj 

and Social Justice and Empowerment; 

(g) Chief Wild Life Warden of the State shall be the Member-Secretary, ex officio, 

to be notified by the State Government, in the Official Gazette. 

38V.  Tiger  Conservation  Plan.—(1)  The  State  Government  shall,  on  the  recommendation  of  the 

Tiger Conservation Authority, notify an area as a tiger reserve. 

(2) The provisions of sub-section (2) of section 18, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 27, sections 
30,32 and clauses (b) and (c) of section 33 of this Act shall, as far as may be, apply in relation to a tiger 
reserve as they apply in relation to a sanctuary. 

(3) The State Government shall prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan including staff development and 

deployment plan for the proper management of each area referred to in sub-section (1), so as to ensure— 

(a) protection of tiger reserve and providing site specific habitat inputs for a viable population of 
tigers, co-predators and prey animals without distorting the natural prey-predator ecological cycle in 
the habitat; 

(b) ecologically compatible land uses in the tiger reserves and areas linking one protected area or 
tiger  reserve  with  another  for  addressing  the  livelihood  concerns  of  local  people,  so  as  to  provide 
dispersal  habitats  and  corridor  for  spill  over  population  of  wild  animals  from  the  designated  core 
areas of tiger reserves or from tiger breeding habitats within other protected areas; 

(c)  the  forestry  operations  of  regular  forest  divisions  and  those  adjoining  tiger  reserves  are  not 

incompatible with the needs of tiger conservation. 

(4)  Subject  to  the  provisions  contained  in  this  Act,  the  State  Government  shall,  while  preparing  a 
Tiger  Conservation  Plan,  ensure  the  agricultural,  livelihood,  developmental  and  other  interests  of  the 
people living in tiger bearing forests or a tiger reserve, 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression “tiger reserve” includes— 

(i)  core  or  critical  tiger  habitat  areas  of  National  Parks  and  sanctuaries,  where  it  has  been 
established, on the basis of scientific and objective criteria, that such areas are required to be kept as 
inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes 
or such other forest dwellers, and. notified as such by the State Government in consultation with an 
Expert Committee constituted for the purpose; 

(ii) buffer or peripheral area consisting of the area peripheral to critical tiger habitat or core area, 
identified  and  established  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  contained  in  Explanation  (i)  above, 
where  a  lesser  degree  of  habitat  protection  is  required  to  ensure  the  integrity  of  the  critical  tiger 
habitat with adequate dispersal for tiger species, and which aim at promoting co-existence between 
wildlife and human activity with due recognition of the livelihood, developmental, social and cultural 
rights of the local people, wherein the limits of such areas are determined on the basis of scientific 
and  objective  criteria  in  consultation  with  the  concerned  Gram  Sabha  and  an  Expert  Committee 
constituted for the purpose. 

(5)  Save  as  for  voluntary  relocation  on  mutually  agreed  terms  and  conditions,  provided  that  such 
terms and conditions satisfy the requirements laid down in this sub-section, no Scheduled Tribes or other 
forest  dwellers  shall  be  resettled  or  have  their  rights  adversely  affected  for  the  purpose  of  creating 
inviolate areas for tiger conservation unless— 

30 

 
(i) the process of recognition and determination of rights and acquisition of land or forest rights of 

the Scheduled Tribes and such other forest dwelling persons is complete; 

(ii) the concerned agencies of the State Government, in exercise of their powers under this Act, 
establishes with the consent of the Scheduled Tribes and such other forest dwellers in the area, and in 
consultation  with  an  ecological  and  social  scientist  familiar  with  the  area,  that  the  activities  of  the 
Scheduled  Tribes  and  other  forest  dwellers  or  the  impact  of  their  presence  upon  wild  animals  is 
sufficient to cause irreversible damage and shall threaten the existence of tigers and their habitat; 

(iii) the State Government, after obtaining the consent of the Scheduled Tribes and other forest 
dwellers inhabiting the area, and in consultation with an independent ecological and  social scientist 
familiar with the area, has come to a conclusion that other reasonable options of co-existence, are not 
available; 

(iv)  resettlement  or  alternative  package  has  been  prepared  providing  for  livelihood  for  the 
affected  individuals  and  communities  and  fulfils  the  requirements  given  in  the  National  Relief  and 
Rehabilitation Policy; 

(v)  the  informed  consent  of  the  Gram  Sabha  concerned,  and  of  the  persons  affected,  to  the 

resettlement programme has been obtained; and 

(vi)  the  facilities  and  land  allocation  at  the  resettlement  location  are  provided  under  the  said 

programme, otherwise their existing rights shall not be interfered with. 

38W.  Alteration  and  de-notification  of  tiger  reserves.—(1)  No  alteration  in  the  boundaries  of  a 
tiger  reserve  shall  be  made  except  on  a  recommendation  of  the  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  and  the 
approval of the National Board for Wild Life. 

(2) No State Government shall de-notify a tiger reserve, except in public interest with the approval of 

the Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wild Life. 

38X. Establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.—(1) The State Government shall establish 
a Tiger Conservation Foundation for tiger reserves within the State in order to facilitate and support their 
management  for  conservation  of  tiger  and  biodiversity  and,  to  take  initiatives  in  eco-development  by 
involvement of people in such development process. 

(2) The Tiger Conservation Foundation shall, inter alia, have the following objectives:— 

(a) to facilitate ecological, economic, social and cultural development in the tiger reserves; 

(b) to promote eco-tourism with the involvement of local stake-holder communities and provide 

support to safeguard the natural environment in the tiger reserves; 

(c)  to  facilitate  the  creation  of,  and  or  maintenance  of,  such  assets  as  may  be  necessary  for 

fulfilling the above said objectives; 

(d) to solicit technical, financial, social, legal and other support required for the activities of the 

Foundation for achieving the above said objectives; 

(e) to augment and mobilise financial resources including recycling of entry and such other fees 

received in a tiger reserve, to foster stake-holder development and eco-tourism; 

(f) to support research, environmental education and training in the above related fields. 

TIGER AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES CRIME CONTROL BUREAU 

CHAPTER IVC 

38Y. Constitution of Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau.—The Central 
Government  may,  for  the  purposes  of  this  Act,  by  order  published  in  the  Official  Gazette,  constitute  a 
Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau to be known as the Wildlife Crime Control 
Bureau consisting of— 

(a) the Director of Wildlife Preservation—Director ex officio; 

31 

 
(b) the Inspector-General of Police—Additional Director; 

(c) the Deputy Inspector-General of Police—Joint Director; 

(d) the Deputy Inspector-General of Forests—Joint Director; 

(e) the Additional Commissioner (Customs and Central Excise)—Joint Director; and 

(f) such other officers as may be  appointed from amongst the officers covered under sections 3 

and 4 of this Act. 

38Z. Powers and functions of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.—(1) Subject to the provisions 

of this Act, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau shall take measures with respect to— 

(i) collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate 
the  same  to  State  and  other  enforcement  agencies  for  immediate  action,  so  as  to  apprehend  the 
criminals and to establish a centralised wildlife crime data bank; 

(ii)  co-ordination  of  actions  by  various  officers,  State  Governments  and  other  authorities  in 
connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Act, either directly or through regional and 
border units set up by the Bureau; 

(iii) implementation of obligations under the various international Conventions and protocols that 

are in force at present or which may be ratified or acceded to by India in future; 

(iv)  assistance  to  concerned  authorities  in  foreign  countries  and  concerned  international 

organisations to facilitate co-ordination and universal action for wildlife crime control; 

(v) develop infrastructure and capacity building for scientific and professional investigation into 
wildlife  crimes  and  assist  State  Governments  to  ensure  success  in  prosecutions  related  to  wildlife 
crimes; 

(vi)  advice  the  Government  of  India  on  issues  relating  to  wildlife  crimes  having  national  and 
international  ramifications,  and  suggest  changes  required  in  relevant  policy  and  laws  from  time  to 
time. 

(2) The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau shall exercise— 

(i)  such  powers  as  may  be  delegated  to  it  under  sub-section  (1)  of  section  5,  sub-sections  (1)  

and (8) of section 50 and section 55 of this Act; and 

(ii) such other powers as may be prescribed.] 

CHAPTER V 

TRADE OR COMMERCE IN WILD ANIMALS, ANIMAL ARTICLES AND TROPHIES 

39. Wild animals, etc., to be Government property.—(1) Every— 

(a) wild animal, other than vermin, which is hunted under section 11 or sub-section (1) of section 
29 or sub-section (6) of section 35 or kept or  1[bred in captivity or hunted] in contravention of any 
provision  of  this  Act  or  any  rule  or  order  made  thereunder  or  found  dead,  or  killed  2***  or  by 
mistake; and 

(b) animal article, trophy or uncured trophy or meat derived from any wild animal referred to in 
clause (a) in respect of which any offence against this Act or any rule or order made thereunder has 
been committed, 

3[(c)  ivory  imported  into  India  and  an  article  made  from  such  ivory  in  respect  of  which  any 

offence against this Act or any rule or order made thereunder has been committed; 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 27, for “bred in captivity” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. The words “without a licence or” omitted by s. 27, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by s. 27, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

32 

 
                                                           
(d)  vehicle,  vessel,  weapon,  trap  or  tool  that  has  been  used  for  committing  an  offence  and  has 

been seized under the provisions of this Act.] 

shall be the property of the State Government, and, wheresuch animal is hunted in a sanctuary or National 
Park declared by the Central Government, such animal or any animal article, trophy, uncured trophy or 
meat  1[derived from such animal or any vehicle, vessel, weapon, trap or tool used in such hunting] shall 
be the property of the Central Government. 

(2)  Amy  person  who  obtains,  by  any  means,  the  possession  of  Government  property,  shall,  within 
forty-eight hours from obtaining such possession, make a report as to the obtaining of such possession to 
the, nearest police station or the authorised officer and shall, if so required, hand over such property to the 
officer-in-charge of such police station or such authorised officer, as the case may be. 

(3) No person shall, without the previous permission in writing of the Chief Wild Life Warden or the 

authorised officer— 

(a) acquire or keep in his possession, custody or control, or 

(b) transfer to any person, whether by way of gift, sale or otherwise, or 

(c) destroy or damage, such Government property. 

40. Declarations.—(1) Every person having at the commencement of this Act the control, custody or 
possession  of  any  captive  animal  specified  in  Schedule  I  or  Part  II  of  Schedule  II,  2[or  animal  article, 
trophy or uncured trophy] derived from such animal or salted or dried skins of such animal or the musk of 
a  musk  deer  or  the  horn of  a rhinoceros,  shall,  within  thirty  days  from  the  commencement  of this  Act, 
declare to the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer the number and description of the animal, 
or article of the foregoing description under his control, custody or possession and the place where  such 
animal or article is kept. 

(2) No person shall, after the commencement of this Act, acquire, receive, keep in his control, custody 
or possession, sell, offer for sale or 420 otherwise transfer or transport any animal specified in Schedule I 
or Part II of Schedule II or any uncured trophy or meat derived from such animal, or the salted or dried 
skins of such animal or the musk of a  musk deer or the horn of a rhinoceros, except with the previous 
permission in writing of the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer. 

3[(2A) No person other than a person having a certificate of ownership, shall, after the commencement 
of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Amendment  Act,  2002  (16  of  2003)acquire,  receive,  keep  in  his  control, 
custody or possession any captive animal, animal article, trophy or uncured trophy specified in Schedule I 
or Part II of Schedule II, except by way of inheritance. 

(2B)  Every  person  inheriting  any  captive  animal,  animal  article,  trophy  or  uncured  trophy  under  
sub-section (2A) shall, within ninety days of such inheritance make a declaration to the Chief Wild Life 
Warden or the authorised officer and the provisions of sections 41 and 42 shall apply as if the declaration 
had been made under sub-section (1) of section 40: 

Provided that nothing in sub-sections (2A) and (2B) shall apply to the live elephant.] 
4[(3)  Nothing  in  sub-section  (1)  or  sub-section  (2)  shall  apply  to  a  recognised  zoo  subject  to  the 

provisions of section 38-I or to a public museum.] 

(4) The State Government may, by notification, require any person to declare to the Chief Wild Life 
Warden or the authorised officer  5[any animal or animal article] or trophy (other than a musk of a musk 
deer or horn of a rhinoceros) or salted or dried skins derived from an animal specified in Schedule I or 
Part II of Schedule II in his control, custody or possession in such form, in such manner, and within such 
time, as may be prescribed. 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 27, for “derived from such animal” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 25, for “or any uncured trophy” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Ins. by s. 25, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
4. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 28, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 25, for “any animal article” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

33 

 
                                                           
1[40A. Immunity in certain cases.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (2) and 
(4) of section 40 of this Act, the Central Government may, by notification, require any person to declare 
to  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  the  authorised  officer,  any  captive  animal,  animal  article,  trophy  or 
uncured  trophy  derived  from  animals  specified  in  Schedule  I  or  Part  II  of  Schedule  II  in  his  control, 
custody  or  possession,  in  respect  of  which  no  declaration  had  been  made  under  sub-section  (1)  or  
sub-section (4) of section 40, in such form, in such manner and within such time as may be prescribed. 

(2) Any action taken or purported to be taken for violation of section 40 of this Act at any time before 
the  commencement  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection)  Amendment  Act,  2002  (16  of  2003)  shall  not  be 
proceeded with and all pending proceedings shall stand abated. 

(3) Any captive animal, animal article, trophy or uncured trophy declared under sub-section (1), shall 

be dealt with in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.] 

41.  Inquiry  and  preparation  of  inventories.—(1)  On  receipt  of  a  declaration  made  under  section 
40, the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer may, after such notice, in such manner and at 
such time, as may be prescribed,— 

(a) enter upon the premises of a person referred to in section 40; 

(b)  make  inquiries  and  prepare  inventories  of  animal  articles,  trophies,  uncured  trophies,  salted 
and  dried  skins  and  captive  animals  specified  in  Schedule  I  and  Part  II  of  Schedule  II  and  found 
thereon; and 

(c)  affix  upon  the  animals,  animal  articles,  trophies  or  uncured  trophies  identification  marks  in 

such manner as may be prescribed. 

(2) No person shall obliterate or counterfeit any identification mark referred to in this Chapter. 

42.  Certificate  of  ownership.—The  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  may,  for  the  purposes  of  section  40, 
issue a certificate of ownership in such form, as may be prescribed to any person who, in his opinion, is in 
lawful  possession  of  any  wild  animal  or  any  animal  article,  trophy,  uncured  trophy  and  may,  where 
possible, mark, in the prescribed manner, such animal article, trophy or uncured trophy  for purposes of 
identification. 

2[Provided that before issuing the certificate of ownership in respect of any captive animal, the Chief 
Wild  Life  Warden  shall  ensure  that  the  applicant  has  adequate  facilities  for  housing,  maintenance  and 
upkeep of the animal.] 

3[43. Regulation of transfer of animal, etc.—(1) No person having in his possession captive animal, 
animal article, trophy or uncured trophy in respect of which he has a certificate of ownership shall transfer 
by way of sale or offer for sale or by any other mode of consideration of commercial nature, such animal 
or article or trophy or uncured trophy. 

(2)  Where  a  person  transfers  or  transports  from  the  State  in  which  he  resides  to  another  State  or 
acquires by transfer from outside the State, any such animal, animal article, trophy or uncured trophy in 
respect of which he has a certificate of ownership, he shall, within thirty days of the transfer or transport, 
report  the  transfer  or  transport  to  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  the  authorised  officer  within  whose 
jurisdiction the transfer or transport is effected. 

(3) Nothing in this section shall apply— 

(a) to tail feather of peacock and the animal article or trophies made therefrom; 

(b)  to  transfer  of  captive  animals  between  recognised  zoos  subject  to  the  provisions  of  

section 38-I, and transfer amongst zoos and public museums.] 

1. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 26 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Added by s. 27, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Subs. by s. 28, ibid., for section 43 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

34 

 
                                                           
44.  Dealings  in  trophy  and  animal  articles  without  licence  prohibited.—1[(1)  Subject  to  the 
provisions of Chapter VA, no person shall, except under and in accordance with, a licence granted under  
sub-section (4)]— 

(a) commence or carry on the business as— 

(i) a manufacturer of or dealer In, any animal article; or 
2*** 

(ii) a taxidermist; or 

(iii) a dealer in trophy or uncured trophy; or 

(iv) a dealer In captive animals; or 

 (v) a dealer In meat; or 

(b) cook or serve meat In any eating-house: 
3[(c) derive, collect or prepare or deal in snake venom;] 

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  sub-section  shall  prevent  a  person,  who,  immediately  before  the 
commencement of this Act was carrying on the business or occupation specified in this sub-section, from 
carrying on such business or occupation for a period of thirty days from such commencement, or where 
he has made an application within that period for the grant of a licence to him, until the licence is granted 
to him or he is informed In writing that a licence cannot be granted to him: 

4[Provided further that nothing in this sub-section shall apply to the dealers in tail feathers of peacock 

and articles made therefrom and the manufactures of such articles.] 

Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section,  “eating-house”  includes  a  hotel,  restaurant  or  any 
other place where any eatable is served on payment, whether or not such payment is separately made for 
such eatable or is included in the amount charged for board and lodging. 

(2) Every manufacturer of, or dealer in, animal article, or every dealer in captive animals, trophies or 
uncured  trophies,  or  every  taxidermist  shall,  within  fifteen  days  from  the  commencement  of  this  Act, 
declare  to  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  his  stocks  of  animals  articles,  captive  animals,  trophies  and 
uncured trophies, as the case may be, as on the date of such declaration and the Chief Wild Life Warden 
or the Authorised officer may place an identification mark on every animal article, captive animal, trophy 
or uncured trophy, as the case may be. 

(3)  Every  person  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  who  intends  to  obtain  a  licence,  shall5***  make  an 

application to the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer for the grant of a licence. 

(4) (a) Every application referred to in sub-section (3) shall be made In such form and on payment of 

such fee as may be prescribed, to the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer. 

6[(b) No licence referred to in sub-section (1) shall be granted unless the Chief Wild Life Warden or 
the  authorised  officer  having  regard  to  the  antecedents  and  previous  experience  of  the  applicant,  the 
implication which the grant of such licence would have on the status of wild life and to such other matters 
as may be prescribed in this behalf and after making such inquiry in respect of those matters as he may 
think fit, is satisfied that the licence should be granted.] 

(5) Every licence granted under this section shall specify the premises in which and the conditions, if 

any, subject to, which the licensee shall carry on his business. 

(6) Every licence granted under this section shall— 

1. Subs. by Act 28 of 1986, s. 2, for certain words (w.e.f. 25-11-1986). 
2. Sub-clause (ia) omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 30 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by s. 30, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Subs. by s. 30, ibid., for the second proviso (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Certain word omitted by Act 23 of 1982, s. 3 (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 
6. Subs. by s.3, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 

35 

 
                                                           
(a) be valid for one year from the date of its grant; 

(b) not be transferable; and 

(c) be renewable for a period not exceeding one year at a time. 

(7) No application for the renewal of a licence shall be rejected unless the holder of such licence has 
been given a reasonable opportunity of presenting his case and unless the Chief Wild Life Warden or the 
authorised officer is satisfied that— 

(i)  the  application  for  such  renewal  has  been  made  after  the  expiry  of  the  period  specified 

therefor, or 

(ii)  any  statement  made  by  the applicant at the  time  of  the  grant  or renewal of the licence  was 

incorrect or false in material particulars, or  

(iii) the applicant has contravened any term or condition of the licence or any provision of this 

Act or any rule made thereunder, or 

(iv) the applicant does not fulfil the prescribed conditions. 

(8) Every order granting or rejecting an application for the grant or renewal of a licence shall be made 

in writing. 

(9) Nothing in the foregoing sub-sections shall apply in relation to vermin. 

45.  Suspension  or  cancellation  of  licences.—Subject  to  any  general  or  special  order  of  the  State 
Government,  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or the  authorised  officer  may,  for  reasons to  be recorded  by 
him in writing, suspend or cancel any licence granted or renewed under section 44: 

Provided that no such suspension or cancellation shall be made except after giving the holder of the 

licence a reasonable opportunity of being heard. 

46. Purchase.—(1) An appeal from an order refusing to grant or renew a licence under section 44 or 

an order suspending or cancelling a licence under section 45 shall lie— 

(a) if the order is made by the authorised officer, to the Chief Wild Life Warden; or 

(b) if the order is made by the Chief Wild Life Warden, to the State Government. 

(2)  In  the  case  of  an  order  passed  in  appeal  by  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  under  clause  (a)  of  

sub-section (1), a second appeal shall lie to the State Government. 

(3) Subject as aforesaid, every order passed in appeal under this section shall be final. 

(4)  An  appeal  under  this  section  shall  be  preferred  within  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  the 

communication, to the applicant, of the order appealed against: 

Provided  that the  appellate  authority  may  admit  any  appeal  preferred  after  the  expiry  of  the  period 

aforesaid if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal in time. 

47. Maintenance of records.—A licensee under this Chapter shall— 

(a) keep records, and submit such returns of his dealings, as may be prescribed,— 

(i) to the Director or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf, and 

(ii) to the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer; and 

(b) make such records available on demand for inspection by such officers. 

48. Purchase of animals, etc., by licensee.—No licensee under this Chapter shall— 

(a) keep in his control, custody or possession,— 

(i)  any  animal,  animal  article,  trophy  or  uncured  trophy  in  respect  of  which  a  declaration 

under the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 44 has to be made but has not been made; 

36 

 
(ii) any animal or animal article, trophy, uncured trophy or meat which has not been lawfully 

acquired under the provisions of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder;  

(b) (i) capture any wild animal, or 

(ii) acquire, receive keep in his control, custody or possession, or sell, offer for sale or transport, 
any captive animal specified in Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II or any animal article trophy, 
uncured trophy or meat derived therefrom or serve such meat, or put under a process of taxidermy 
or make animal article containing part or whole of such animal, 

except in accordance with such rules as may be made tinder this Act; 

Provided  that  where  the  acquisition  or,  possession,  control  or  custody  of  such  animal  or  animal 
article,  trophy  or  uncured  trophy  entails  the  transfer  or  transport  from  one  State  to  another,  no  such 
transfer or transport shall be effected except with the previous permission in writing of the Director or 
any other officer authorised by him in this behalf: 

Provided  further  that  no  such  permission  under  the  foregoing  proviso  shall  be  granted  unless  the 
Director or the officer authorised by him is satisfied that the animal or article aforesaid has been lawfully 
acquired. 

1[48A. Restriction on transportation of wild life.—No person shall accept any wild animal (other 
than vermin), or any animal article, or any specified plant or part or derivative thereof, for transportation 
except  after  exercising  due care  to  ascertain  that  permission  from  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  any 
other officer authorised by the State Government in this behalf has been obtained for such transportation.] 

49.  Purchase  of  captive  animal,  etc.,  by  a  person  other  than  a  licensee.—No  person  shall 
purchase, receive or acquire any captive animal, wild animal, other than vermin, or any animal article, 
trophy,  uncured  trophy  or  meat  derived  therefrom  otherwise  than  from  a  dealer  or  from  a  person 
authorised to sell or otherwise transfer the same under this Act: 

2[Provided  that  nothing  in  this  section  shall  apply  to  a  recognised  zoo  subject  to  the  provisions  of 

section 38-1 or to a public museum.] 

3[CHAPTER VA 

PROHIBITION OF TRADE OR COMMERCE IN TROPHIES, ANIMAL ARTICLES, 
ETC., DERIVED FROM CERTAIN ANIMALS 

49A. Definitions.—In this Chapter,— 

(a) “Scheduled animal” means an animal specified for the time being in Schedule I or Part II of 

Schedule II; 

(b) “Scheduled animal article” means an article made from any Scheduled animal and includes an 
article or object in which the whole or any part of such animal 4[has been used but does not include 
tail feather of peacook, an article or trophy made therefrom and snake venom or its derivative.] 

(c) “Specified date” means— 

(i)  in  relation  to  a  scheduled  animal  on  the  commencement  of  the  Wild  Life  (Protection) 

(Amendment) Act, 1986, the date of expiry of two months from such commencement; 5***  

(ii) in relation to any animal added or transferred to Scheduled I or Part II of Schedule II at 
any  time  after  such  commencement,  the  date  of  expiry  of  two  months  from  such  addition  or 
transfer. 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 31 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by s. 32, ibid., for the proviso (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by Act 28 of 1986, s. 3 (w.e.f. 25-11-1986). 
4. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 33, for “has been used” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. The word “and” omitted by s. 33, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

37 

 
                                                           
1[(iii)  in  relation  ivory  imported  into  India  or  an  article  made  from  such  ivory,  the  date  of 
expiry of six months from the commencement of the Wild Life (Protection) (Amendment) Act, 
1991 (44 of 1991).] 

49B.  Prohibition  of  dealings  in  trophies,  animal  articles,  etc.,  derived  from  scheduled  
animals.—(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Section, on and after the specified date, no person 
shall— 

(a) commence or carry on the business as— 

(i) a manufacturer of, or dealer in, scheduled animal articles; or 
2[ia)  a  dealer  in  ivory  imported  into  India  or  articles  made  therefrom  or  a  manufacturer  of 

such articles; or] 

(ii) a taxidermist with respect to any scheduled animals or any parts of such animals; or 

(iii) a dealer in trophy or uncured trophy derived from any scheduled animal; or 

(iv) a dealer in any captive animals being scheduled animals; or 

(v) a dealer in meat derived from any scheduled animal; or 

(b) cook or serve meat derived from any scheduled animal in any eating-house. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “eating-house” has the same meaning as 

in the Explanation below sub-section (1) of Section 44. 

(2)  Subject  to  the  other  provisions  of  this  section,  no  licence  granted  or  renewed  under  Section  44 
before the specified date shall entitle the holder thereof or any other person to commence or carry on the 
business  referred  to  in  clause  (a)  of  sub-section  (1)  of  this  section  or  the  occupation  referred  to  in  
clause (b) of that sub-section after such date. 

(3)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  sub-section  (1)  or  sub-section  (2),  where  the  Central 
Government is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest, it may, by general 
or special order published in the official Gazette, exempt, for purposes of export, any corporation owned 
or  controlled  by  the  Central  Government  (including  a  Government  company  within  the  meaning  of 
section  617  of  the  Companies  Act,  1956  (1  of  1956),  or  any  society  registered  under  the  Societies 
Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), or any other law for the time being in force, wholly or substantially 
financed by the Central Government, from the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2). 

(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), but subject to any rules 
which may be made in this behalf, a person holding a licence under Section 44 to carry on the business as 
a taxidermist may put under a process of taxidermy any scheduled animal or any part thereof— 

(a)  for  or  on  behalf  of  the  Government  or  any  corporation  or  society  exempted  under  

sub-section (3), or 

(b) with the previous authorisation in writing of the Chief Wild Life Warden, for and on behalf of 

any person for educational or scientific purposes. 

49C. Declaration by dealers.—(1) Every person carrying on the business or occupation referred to 
in  sub-section  (1)  of  Section  49B  shall,  within  thirty  days  from  the  specified  date  declare  to  the  Chief 
Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer— 

(a) his stocks, if any, as at the end of the specified date of— 

(i) scheduled animal articles; 

(ii) scheduled animals and parts thereof; 

(iii) trophies and uncured trophies derived from scheduled animals; 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 33 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Ins. by s. 34, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

38 

 
                                                           
(iv) captive animals being scheduled animals; 
1[(v) ivory imported into India or articles made therefrom;] 

(b) the place or places at which the stocks mentioned in the declaration are kept; and 

(c) the description of such items, if any, the stocks mentioned in the declaration which he desires 

to retain with himself for his bona fide personal use. 

(2) On receipt of a declaration under sub-section (1), the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised 
officer may take all or any of the measures specified in section 41 and for this purpose, the provisions of 
section 41 shall, so far as may be, apply. 

(3) Where, in a declaration made under sub-section (1), the person making the declaration expresses 
his desire to retain with himself any of the items of the stocks specified in the declaration for his bona fide 
personal use, the Chief Wild Life Warden, with the prior approval of the Director, may, if he is satisfied 
that  the  person  is  in  lawful  possession  of  such  items,  issue  certificates  of  ownership  in  favour  of  such 
person with respect to all, or as the case may be, such of the items as in the opinion of the Chief Wild Life 
Warden,  are  required  for  the  bona  fide  personal  use  of  such  person  and  affix  upon  such  items 
identification marks in such manner as may be prescribed: 

Provided that no such item shall be kept in any commercial premises. 

(4) No person shall obliterate or counterfeit any identification mark referred to in sub-section (3). 

(5) An appeal shall lie against any refusal to grant certificate of ownership under sub-section (3) and 
the provisions of sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 46 shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to 
appeals under this sub-section. 

(6) Where a person who has been issued a certificate of ownership under sub-section (3) in respect of 

any item— 

(a) transfers such item to any person, whether by way of gift, sale or otherwise, or 

(b) transfers or transports from the State in which he resides to another State any such item, 

he shall, within thirty days of such transfer or transport, report the transfer or transport to the Chief Wild 
Life Warden or the authorised officer within whose jurisdiction the transfer or transport is effected. 

(7)  No  person,  other  than  a  person  who  has  been  issued  a  certificate  of  ownership  under  
sub-section  (3),  shall  on  and  after  the  specified  date  keep  under  his  control,  sell  or  offer  for  sale  or 
transfer to any person 2[any scheduled animal, a scheduled animal article, or ivory imported into India or 
any article made therefrom.] 

CHAPTER VI 

PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF OFFENCES 

50. Power of entry, search, arrest and detention.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any 
other law for the time being in force, the Director or any other officer authorised by him in this behalf or 
the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer or any forest officer or any police officer not below 
the  rank  of  a  sub-  inspector,  may,  if  he  has  reasonable  grounds  for  believing  that  any  person  has 
committed an offence against this Act,— 

(a)  require  any  such  person  to  produce  for  inspection  any  captive  animal,  wild  animal,  animal 
article,  meat,  trophy  or  3[trophy,  uncured trophy,  specified  plant  or  part or  derivative  thereof]in  his 
control, custody or possession, or any licence, permit or other document granted to him or required to 
be kept by him under the provisions of this Act; 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 35 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by s. 35,ibid., for “any scheduled animal or a scheduled animal article” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Subs. by s. 36, ibid., for “trophy or uncured trophy” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

39 

 
                                                           
(b) stop any vehicle or vessel in order to conduct search or inquiry or enter upon and search any 
premises, land, vehicle or vessel, in the occupation of such person, and open and search any baggage 
or other things in his possession; 

1[(c) seize any captive animal, wild animal, animal article, meat, trophy or uncured trophy, or any 
specified plant or part or derivative thereof, in respect of which an offence against this Act appears to 
have been committed, in the possession of any person together with any trap, tool, vehicle, vessel or 
weapon used for committing any such offence and, unless he is satisfied that such person will appear 
and  answer  any  charge  which  may  be  preferred  against  him,  arrest  him  without  warrant,  anddetain 
him: 

Provided that where a fisherman, residing within ten kilometres of a sanctuary or National Park, 
inadvertently  enters  on  a  boat,  not  used  for  commercial  fishing,  in  the  territorial  waters  in  that 
sanctuary or National Park, a fishing tackle or net on such boat shall not be seized.] 
2* 

* 

* 

* 

* 

(3) It shall be lawful for any of the officers referred to in sub-section (1) to stop and detainany person, 
whom he sees doing any act for which a licence or permit is required under the provisions of this Act, for 
the purposes of requiring such person to produce the licence or permit and if such person fails to produce 
the  licence  or  permit,  as  the  case  may  be,  he  may  be  arrested  without  warrant,  unless  he  furnishes  his 
name and address, and otherwise satisfies the officer arresting him that he will duly answer any summons 
or other proceedings which may be taken against him. 

3[(3A) Any officer of a rank not inferior to that of an Assistant Director of Wild Life Preservation or 
4[an Assistant Conservator of Forests] who, or whose subordinate, has seized any captive animal or wild 
animal under clause (c) of sub-section (1) may give the same for custody on the execution by any person 
of  a  bond  for  the  production  of  such  animal  if  and  when  so  required,  before  the  Magistrate  having 
jurisdiction to try the offence on account of which the seizure has been made.] 

(4) Any person detained, or things seized under the foregoing power, shall forthwith be taken before a 
Magistrate  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  law  5[under  intimation  to  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  or  the 
officer authorised by him in this regard]. 

(5)  Any  person  who,  without  reasonable  cause,  fails  to  produce  anything,  which  he  is  required  to 

produce under this section, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. 

6[(6) Where any meat, uncured trophy, specified plant or part or derivative thereof is seized under the 
provisions  of  this  section,  the  Assistant  Director  of  Wild  Life  Preservation  or  any  other  officer  of  a 
gazetted rank authorised by him in this behalf or the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer 
may arrange for the disposal of the same in such manner as may be prescribed.] 

(7)  Whenever  any  person  is  approached  by  any  of  the  officers  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  for 
assistance  in  the  prevention  or  detection  of  an  offence  against  this  Act,  or  in  apprehending  persons 
charged with the violation of this Act, or for seizure in accordance with clause (c) of sub-section (1), it 
shall be the duty of such person or persons to render such assistance. 

7[(8) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, any officer not 
below the rank of an Assistant Director of Wild Life Preservation or  8[an officer not below the rank of 
Assistant  Conservator  of  Forests  authorised  by  the  State  Government  in  this  behalf]  shall  have  the 
powers, for purposes of making investigation into any offence against any provision of this Act— 

(a) to issue a search warrant; 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 36, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Sub-section (2) omitted by s. 36, ibid (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by s. 36, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4.  Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 29, for “Wild Life Warden,” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
5. Ins. by s. 29, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
6. Subs. by s. 29, ibid., for sub-section (6) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
7. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991 s. 36 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
8.  Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 29, for “Wild Life Warden” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
(b) to enforce the attendance of witnesses; 

(c) to compel the discovery and production of documents and material objects; and 

(d) to receive and record evidence. 

(9) Any evidence recorded under clause (d) of sub-section (8) shall be admissible in any subsequent 

trial before a Magistrate provided that it has been taken in the presence of the accused person.] 

51.  Penalties.—(1)  Any  person  who  1[contravenes  any  provision  of  this  Act  2[(except  Chapter  VA 
and section 38J)]]or any rule or order made thereunder or who commits a breach of any of the conditions 
of any licence or permit granted under this Act, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall, on 
conviction, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to  3[three years], or with fine 
which may extend to 4[twenty-five thousand rupees], or with both: 

5[Provided that where the offence committed is in relation to any animal specified in Schedule I or 
Part II of Schedule II or meat of any such animal or animal article, trophy or uncured trophy derived from 
such  animal  or  where  the  offence  relates  to  hunting  in  a  sanctuary  or  a  National  Park  or  altering  the 
boundaries of a sanctuary or a National Park, such offence shall be punishable with imprisonment for a 
term which shall not be less than three years but may extend to seven years and also with fine which shall 
not be less than ten thousand rupees: 

Provided further that  in  the  case  of  a second  or subsequent  offence  of  the nature  mentioned  in  this 
sub-section, the term of the imprisonment shall not be less than three years but may extend to seven years 
and also with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees.] 

6[(1A)  Any  person  who  contravenes  any  provisions  of  Chapter  VA,  shall  be  punishable  with 
imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than  7[three years] but which may extend to seven years 
and also with fine which shall not be less than 8[ten thousand rupees].]  

9[(1B)  Any  person  who  contravenes  the  provisions  of  section  38J,  shall  be  punishable  with 
imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand 
rupees, or with both: 

Provided that in the case of a second or subsequent offence the term of imprisonment may extend to 

one year or the fine may extend to five thousand rupees.] 

(2) When any  person  is  convicted  of  an  offence  against this  Act, the  Court  trying  the  offence  may 
order that any captive animal, wild animal, animal article, trophy,10[uncured trophy, meat, ivory imported 
into India or an article made from such ivory, any specified plant, or part or derivative thereof]in respect 
of  which  the  offence  has  been  committed,  and  any  trap,  tool,  vehicle,  vessel  or  weapon,  used  in  the 
commission of the said offence be forfeited to the State Government and that any licence or permit, held 
by such person under the provisions of this Act, be cancelled. 

(3)  Such  cancellation  of  licence  or  permit  or  such  forfeiture  shall  be  in  addition  to  any  other 

punishment that may be awarded for such offence. 

(4)  Where  any  person  is  convicted  of  an  offence  against  this  Act,  the  Court  may  direct  that  the 
licence, if any, granted to such person under the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959), for possession of any arm 
with which an offence against this Act has been committed, shall be cancelled and that such person shall 
not  be  eligible  for  a  licence  under  the  Arms  Act,  1959,  for  a  period  of  five  years  from  the  date  of 
conviction. 

1. Subs. by Act 28 of 1986, s. 4, for “contravenes any provision of this Act” (w.e.f. 25-11-1986). 
2. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 37, ibid., for “(except Chapter VA)” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Subs. by s. 37, ibid., for “two years” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Subs. by s. 37, ibid., for “two thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
5. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 30, for the first and second provisos (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
6. Ins. by Act 28 of 1986, s. 4 (w.e.f. 25-11-1986). 
7. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 30, for “one year” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
8. Subs. by s. 30, ibid., for “five thousand rupees” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
9. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 37 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
10. Subs. by s. 37,ibid., for “uncured trophy or meat” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

41 

 
                                                           
1[(5) Nothing contained in section 360 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), or in the 
Probation  of  Offenders  Act,  1958  (20  of  1958),  shall  apply  to  a  person  convicted  of  an  offence  with 
respect to hunting in a sanctuary or a National Park or of an offence against any provision of Chapter VA 
unless such person is under eighteen years of age.] 

Assam 

STATE AMENDMENTS 

Amendment of section 51.—In the principal Act, in section 51, in sub-section (1),  

(i) in the first proviso,— 

(a) in between the words “hunting in” and “a sanctuary” the words “or outside the boundary of” 

shall be inserted; 

(b) for the words “three years”, “seven years” and “ten thousand”, the words “seven years”, “ten 

years” and “fifty thousand” respectively shall be substituted. 

(ii) in the second proviso, for the words “three years”, “seven years” and “twenty five thousand”, the 

words “ten years”, “life imprisonment” and “seventy five thousand” respectively, shall be substituted. 

[Vide Assam Act 31 of 2010, s. 2]. 

2[51A.  Certain  conditions  to  apply  while  granting  bail.—When  any  person  accused  of,  the 
commission of any offence relating to Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II or offences relating to hunting 
inside the boundaries of National Park or wild life sanctuary or altering the boundaries of such parks and 
sanctuaries,  is  arrested  under  the  provisions  of the  Act,  then  notwithstanding  anything  contained in  the 
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) no such person who had been previously convicted of an 
offence under this Act shall, be released on bail unless— 

(a) the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity of opposing the release on bail; and 

(b)  where  the  Public  Prosecutor  opposes  the  application,  the  Court  is  satisfied  that  there  are 
reasonable  grounds  for  believing  that  he  is  not  guilty  of  such  offence  and  that  he  is  not  likely  to 
commit any offence while on bail.] 

Assam 

STATE AMENDMENTS 

Insertion  of  section  51B.—In  the  principal  Act,  after  section  51A,  the  following  new  section  51B 

shall be inserted, namely:— 

“51B. Offences to be cognizable, non bailabale and triable by the Court of Sessions.—(1) Every 
offence punishable under this Act shall be congnizable and non-bailable within the meaning of the Code 
of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, no person accused 

of an offence punishable under this Act, shall be released on bail unless— 

(a)  the  Public  Prosecutor  has  been  given  an  opportunity  to  oppose  the  application  for  such 

release; and 

(b)  where  the  Public  Prosecutor  opposes  the  application,  the  court  is  satisfied  that  there  are 

reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. 

(3)  The  offences  under  this  Act,  shall  be  triable  by  the  Court  of  Sessions  of  the  respective 

jurisdiction.” 

[Vide Assam Act 31 of 2010, s. 3]. 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 37. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 31 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

42 

 
 
                                                           
52. Attempts and abetment.—Whoever attempts to contravene, or abets the contravention of, any of 
the provisions of this Act or of any rule or order made thereunder shall be deemed to have contravened 
that provision or rule or order, as the case may be. 

53. Punishment for wrongful seizure.—If any person, exercising powers under this Act, vexatiously 
and  unnecessarily  seizes  the  property  of  any  other  person  on  the  pretence  of  seizing  it  for  the  reasons 
mentioned in section 50 he shall, on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may 
extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both. 

1[54. Power to compound offence.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification, empower the 
Director of Wild Life Preservation or any other officer not below the rank of Assistant Director of Wild 
Life Preservation and in the case of a State Government in the similar manner, empower the Chief Wild 
Life Warden or any officer of a rank not below the rank of a Deputy Conservator of Forests, to accept 
from any person against whom a reasonable suspicion exists that he has committed an offence against this 
Act, payment of a sum of money by way of composition of the offence which such person is suspected to 
have committed. 

(2) On payment of such sum of money to such officer, the suspected person, if in custody, shall be 

discharged and no further proceedings in respect of the offence shall be taken against such person. 

(3) The officer compounding any offence may order the cancellation of any licence or permit granted 
under this Act to the offender, or if not empowered to do so, may approach an officer so empowered, for 
the cancellation of such licence or permit. 

(4) The sum of money accepted or agreed to be accepted as composition under sub-section (1) shall, 

in no case, exceed the sum of twenty-five thousand rupees: 

Provided  that  no  offence,  for  which  a  minimum  period  of  imprisonment  has  been  prescribed  in 

section 51, shall be compounded.] 

2[55. Cognizance of offences.—No court shall take cognizance of any offence against this Act on the 

complaint of any person other than— 

(a)  the  Director  of  Wild  Life  Preservation  or  any  other  officer  authorised  in  this  behalf  by  the 

Central Government; or 

3[(aa)  the  Member-Secretary,  Central  Zoo  Authority  in  matters  relating  to  violation  of  the 

provisions of Chapter IVA; or] 

4[(ab) Member-Secretary, Tiger Conservation Authority; or 

(ac) Director of the concerned tiger reserve; or] 

(b)  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden,  or  any  other  officer  authorised  in  this  behalf  by  the  State 

Government5[subject to such conditions as may be specified by that Government]; or 

5[(bb) the officer-in-charge of the zoo in respect of violation of provisions of section 38J; or] 

(c) any person who has given notice of not less than sixty days, in the manner prescribed, of the 
alleged  offence  and  of  his  intention  to  make  a  complaint,  to  the  Central  Government  or  the  State 
Government or the officer authorised as aforesaid.] 

56.  Operation  of  other  laws  not  barred.—Nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  deemed  to  prevent  any 
person  from  being  prosecuted  under any  other  law for  the  time  being  in  force,  for  any  act  or  omission 
which  constitutes  an  offence  against  this  Act  or  from  being  liable  under  such  other  law  to  any  higher 
punishment or penalty than that provided by this Act: Provided that no person shall be punished twice for 
the same offence. 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 32, for section 54 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 39, for section 55 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
4. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 4 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006). 
5. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 33 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

43 

 
                                                           
57. Presumption  to  be made  in  certain  cases.—Where,  in  any  prosecution  for  an offence  against 
this Act, it is established that a person is in possession, custody or control of any captive animal, animal 
article, meat, 1[trophy, uncured trophy, specified plant, or part or derivative thereof]it shall be presumed, 
until the contrary is proved, the burden of proving which shall lie on the accused, that such person is in 
unlawful  possession,  custody  or  control  of  such  captive  animal,  animal  article,  meat,  1[trophy,  uncured 
trophy, specified plant, or part or derivative thereof.] 

58.  Offences  by  Companies.—(1)  Where  an  offence  against  this  Act  has  been  committed  by  a 
company,  every  person  who,  at  the  time  the  offence  was  committed,  was  in  charge  of,  and  was 
responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company as well as the company, shall 
be  deemed  to  be  guilty  of  the  offence  and  shall  be  liable  to  be  proceeded  against  and  punished 
accordingly: 

Provided  that  nothing  contained  in  this  sub-section  shall  render  any  such  person  liable  to  any 
punishment, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all 
due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence against this Act has been 
committed  by  a  company  and  it  is  proved  that  the  offence  has  been  committed  with  the  consent  or 
connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other 
officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty 
of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. 

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,— 

(a) “company” means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; 

and 

(b) “director”, in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm. 

2[CHAPTER VIA 

FORFEITURE OF PROPERTY DERIVED FROM ILLEGAL HUNTING AND TRADE 

58A.  Application.—The  provisions  of  this  Chapter  shall  apply  only  to  the  following  persons, 

namely:— 

(a)  every  person  who  has  been  convicted  of  an  offence  punishable  under  this  Act  with 

imprisonment for a term of three years or more; 

(b) every associate of a person referred to in clause (a); 

(c)  any  holder (hereafter in  this  clause referred  to  as  the  present  holder) of  any  property  which 
was at any time previously held by a person referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) unless the present 
holder  or,  as  the  case  may  be,  any  one  who  held  such  property  after  such  person  and  before  the 
present holder, is or was a transferee in good faith for adequate consideration. 

58B. Definitions.—In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) “Appellate Tribunal” means the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property constituted under 

section 58N; 

(b) “associate” in relation to a person whose property is liable to be forfeited under this Chapter, 

includes— 

(i) any individual who had been or is managing the affairs or keeping the accounts of such 

person; 

(ii)  any  association  of  persons,  body  of  individuals,  partnership  firm  or  private  company 
within the meaning of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) of which such person had been or is a 
member, partner or director; 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 40, for “trophy or uncured trophy” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 34 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

44 

 
                                                           
(iii)  any  individual  who  had  been  or  is  a  member,  partner  or  director  of  an  association  of 
persons, body of individuals, partnership firm or private company referred to in sub-clause (ii) at 
any  time  when  such  person  had  been  or  is  a  member,  partner  or  director  of  such  association, 
body, partnership firm or private company; 

(iv)  any  person,  who  had  been  or  is  managing  the  affairs,  or  keeping  the  accounts  of  any 
association  of  persons,  body  of  individuals,  partnership  firm  or  private  company  referred  to  in 
sub-clause (iii); 

(v) the trustee of any trust, where,— 

(1) the trust has been created by such person; or 

(2) the value of the assets contributed by such person (including the value of the assets, if 
any,  contributed  by  him  earlier)  to  the  trust  amounts  on  the  date  on  which  contribution  is 
made, to not less than twenty per cent.of the value of the assets of the trust on that date; 

(vi) where the competent authority, for reasons to be recorded in writing, considers that any 

properties of such person are held on his behalf by any other person, such other person; 

(c) “competent authority” means an officer authorised under section 58D; 

(d)  “concealment”  means  the  concealment  or  disguise  of  the  nature,  source,  disposition, 
movement  or  ownership  of  property  and includes the movement  or  conversion  of  such  property  by 
electronic transmission or by any other means; 

(e) “freezing” means temporarily prohibiting the transfer, conversion, disposition or movement of 

property by an order issued under section 58F; 

(f) “identifying” includes establishment of proof that the property was derived from, or used in, 

the illegal hunting and trade of wild life and its products; 

(g) “illegally acquired property” in relation to any person to whom this Chapter applies, means,— 

(i) any property acquired by such person, wholly or partly out of or by means of any income, 
earnings or assets derived or obtained from or attributable to illegal hunting and trade of wild life 
and its products and derivatives; 

(ii)  any  property  acquired  by  such  person,  for  a  consideration  or  by  any  means,  wholly  or 
partly traceable to any property referred to in sub-clause (i) or the income or earning from such 
property, 

and includes— 

(A)  any  property  held  by  such  person  which  would  have  been,  in  relation  to  any  previous 
holder  thereof,  illegally  acquired  property  under  this  clause  if  such  previous  holder  had  not 
ceased to hold it, unless such person or any other person who held the property at any time after 
such  previous  holder  or,  where  there  are  two  or  more  such  previous  holders,  the  last  of  such 
previous holders is or was a transferee in good faith for adequate consideration; 

(B)  any  property  acquired by  such  person,  for  a consideration,  or  by  any  means,  wholly  or 

partly traceable to any property falling under item (A), or the income or earnings therefrom; 

(h) “property” means property and assets of every description, whether corporeal or incorporeal, 
movable  or  immovable,  tangible  or  intangible  and  deeds  and  instruments  evidencing  title  to,  or 
interest  in,  such  property  or  assets,  derived  from  the  illegal  hunting  and  trade  of  wild  life  and  its 
products; 

(i) “relative” means— 

(1) spouse of the person; 

(2) brother or sister of the person; 

(3) brother or sister of the spouse of the person; 

45 

 
(4) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the person; 

(5) any lineal ascendant or descendant of the spouse of the person; 

(6)  spouse  of  a  person  referred  to  in  sub-clause  (2),  sub-clause  (3),  sub-clause  (4)  or  

sub-clause (5); 

(7) any lineal descendant of a person referred to in sub-clause (2) or sub-clause (3); 

(j) “tracing” means determining the nature, source, disposition, movement, title or ownership of 

property; 

(k) “trust” includes any other legal obligation. 

58C. Prohibition of holding illegally acquired property.—(1) From the date of commencement of 
this  Chapter,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  any  person  to  whom  this  Chapter  applies  to  hold  any  illegally 
acquired property either by himself or through any other person on his behalf. 

(2) Where any person holds such property in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1), such 
property  shall  be  liable  to  be  forfeited  to  the  State  Government  concerned  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions of this Chapter: 

Provided  that  no  property  shall  be  forfeited  under  this  Chapter  if  such  property  was  acquired  by  a 
person to whom this Act applies before a period of six years from the date on which he was charged for 
an offence relating to illegal hunting and trade of wild life and its products. 

58D. Competent authority.—The State Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, 
authorise any officer not below the rank of Chief Conservator of Forests to perform the functions of the 
competent  authority  under  this  Chapter  in  respect  of  such  persons  or  classes  of  persons  as  the  State 
Government may, direct. 

58E.  Identifying  illegally  acquired  property.—(1)  An  officer  not  below  the  rank  of  Deputy 
Inspector General of Police duly authorised by the Central Government or as the case may be, the State 
Government,  shall,  on  receipt  of  a  complaint  from  the  competent  authority  about  any  person  having 
illegally  acquired  property,  proceed  to  take  all  steps necessary  for  tracing  and  identifying  any  property 
illegally acquired by such person. 

(2) The steps referred to in sub-section (1) may include any inquiry, investigation or survey in respect 
of any person, place, property, assets, documents, books of account in any bank or financial institution or 
any other relevant step as may be necessary. 

(3) Any inquiry, investigation or survey referred to in sub-section (2) shall be carried out by an officer 
mentioned in sub-section (1) in accordance with such directions or guidelines as the competent authority 
may make or issue in this behalf. 

58F.  Seizure  or  freezing  of  illegally  acquired  property.—(1)  Where  any  officer  conducting  an 
inquiry  or  investigation  under  section  58E  has  reason  to  believe  that  any  property  in  relation  to  which 
such  inquiry  or  investigation  is  being  conducted  is  an  illegally  acquired  property  and  such  property  is 
likely  to  be  concealed,  transferred  or  dealt  with  in  any  manner  which  may  result  in  frustrating  any 
proceeding relating to forfeiture of such property under this Chapter, he may make an order for seizing 
such  property  and  where  it  is  not  practicable  to  seize  such  property,  he  may  make  an  order  that  such 
property shall not be transferred or otherwise dealt with, except with the prior permission of the officer 
making such order, or of the competent authority and a copy of such order shall be served on the person 
concerned: 

Provided that a copy of such an order shall be sent to the competent authority within forty-eight hours 

of its being made. 

(2) Any order made under sub-section (1) shall have no effect unless the said order is confirmed by an 

order of the competent authority within a period of thirty days of its being made. 

46 

 
Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section,  “transfer  of  property”  means  any  disposition, 
conveyance,  assignment,  settlement,  delivery,  payment  or  other  alienation  of  property  and,  without 
limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes— 

(a) the creation of a trust in property; 

(b) the grant or creation of any lease, mortgage, charge, easement, licence, power, partnership or 

interest in property; 

(c) the exercise of a power of appointment, of property vested in any person not the owner of the 

property, to determine its disposition in favour of any person other than the donee of the power; and 

(d)  any  transaction  entered  into  by  any  person  with  intent  thereby  to  diminish  directly  or 
indirectly the value of his own property and to increase the value of the property of any other person. 

58G.  Management  of  properties  seized  or  forfeited  under  this  Chapter.—(1)  The  State 
Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, appoint as many of its officers (not below 
the rank of Conservator of Forests) as it thinks fit, to perform the functions of an Administrator. 

(2)  The  Administrator  appointed  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  receive  and  manage  the  property  in 
relation to which an order has been made under sub-section (1) of section 58F or under section 58-I in 
such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. 

(3) The Administrator shall also take such measures as the State Government may direct, to dispose 

of the property which is forfeited to the State Government. 

58H. Notice of forfeiture of property.—(1) If having regard to the value of the properties held by 
any person to whom this Chapter applies, either by himself or through any other person on his behalf, his 
known sources of income, earnings  or assets, and any other information or material available to it as a 
result of a report from any officer making an investigation under section 58E or otherwise, the competent 
authority  for  reasons  to  be  recorded  in  writing  believes  that  all  or  any  of  such  properties  are  illegally 
acquired properties, it may serve a notice upon such person (hereinafter referred to as the person affected) 
calling upon him within a period of thirty days specified in the notice to show cause why all or any of 
such  properties,  as  the  case  may  be,  should  not  be  declared  to  be  illegally  acquired  properties  and 
forfeited to the State Government under this Chapter and in support of his case indicate the sources of his 
income,  earnings  or  assets,  out  of  which  or  by  means  of  which  he  has  acquired  such  property,  the 
evidence on which he relies and other relevant information and particulars. 

(2) Where a notice under sub-section (1) to any person specifies any property as being held on behalf 

of such person by any other person, a copy of the notice shall also be served upon such other person. 

58-I. Forfeiture of property in certain cases.—(1) The competent authority may, after considering 
the  explanation,  if  any,  to  the  show  cause  notice  issued  under section  58H,  and  the  materials  available 
before it and after giving to the person affected and in a case where the person affected holds any property 
specified in the notice through any other person, to such other person, also a reasonable opportunity of 
being  heard,  by  order,  record  a  finding  whether  all  or  any  of  the  properties  in  question  are  illegally 
acquired properties: 

Provided  that  if  the  person  affected  (and  in  a  case  where  the  person  affected  holds  any  property 
specified  in  the  notice  through  any  other  person,  such  other  person  also),  does  not  appear  before  the 
competent  authority  or  represent  his  case  before it  within  a  period  of  thirty  days  specified  in  the  show 
cause notice, the competent authority may proceed to record a finding under this sub-section ex parte on 
the basis of evidence available before it. 

(2)  Where  the  competent  authority  is  satisfied  that  some  of  the  properties  referred  to  in  the  show 
cause notice are illegally acquired properties but is not able to identify specifically such properties, then, 
it shall be lawful for the competent authority to specify the properties which, to the best of its judgment, 
are illegally acquired properties and record a finding accordingly under sub-section (1) within a period of 
ninety days. 

47 

 
(3) Where the competent authority records a finding under this section to the effect that any property 
is  illegally  acquired  property,  it  shall  declare  that  such  property  shall,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this 
Chapter stand forfeited to the State Government free from all encumbrances. 

(4)  In  case  the  person  affected  establishes  that  the  property  specified  in  the  notice  issued  under 
section 58H is not an illegally acquired property and therefore not liable to be forfeited under the Act, the 
said notice shall be withdrawn and the property shall be released forthwith. 

(5) Where any shares in a company stand forfeited to the State Government under this Chapter, the 
company shall, notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or the article 
of association of the company, forthwith register the State Government as the transferee of such shares. 

58J.  Burden  of  proof.—In  any  proceedings  under  this  Chapter,  the  burden  of  proving  that  any 
property specified in the notice served under section 58H is not illegally acquired property shall be on the 
person affected. 

58K.  Fine  in  lieu  of  forfeiture.—(1)  Where  the  competent  authority  makes  a  declaration  that  any 
property stands forfeited to the State Government under section 58-I and it is a case where the source of 
only  a  part  of  the  illegally  acquired  property  has  not  been  proved  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  competent 
authority, it shall make an order giving option to the person affected to pay, in lieu of forfeiture, a fine 
equal to the market value of such part. 

(2) Before making an order imposing a fine under sub-section (1), the person affected shall be given a 

reasonable opportunity of being heard. 

(3) Where the person affected pays the fine due under sub-section (1), within such time as may be 
allowed in that behalf, the competent authority may, by order revoke the declaration of forfeiture under 
section 58-I and thereupon such property shall stand released. 

58L.  Procedure  in  relation  to  certain trust  properties.—In  the  case  of  any  person referred to  in 
sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of section 58B, if the competent authority, on the basis of the information and 
materials available to it, for reasons to be recorded in writing believes that any property held in trust is 
illegally acquired property, it may serve a notice upon the author of the trust, or as the case may be, the 
contributor  of  the  assets  out  of  or  by  means  of  which  such  property  was  acquired  by  the  trust  and  the 
trustees, calling upon them within a period of thirty days specified in the notice, to explain the source of 
money or other assets out of or by means of which such property was acquired or, as the case may be, the 
source  of  money  or  other  assets  which  were  contributed  to  the  trust  for  acquiring  such  property  and 
thereupon  such  notice  shall  be  deemed  to  be  a  notice  served  under  section  58H  and  all  the  other 
provisions of this Chapter shall apply accordingly. 

Explanation.—For  the  purposes  of  this  section  “illegally  acquired  property”  in  relation  to  any 

property held in trust, includes— 

(i) any property which if it had continued to be held by the author of the trust or the contributor of 
such  property  to the  trust would  have  been  illegally acquired  property  in  relation  to  such  author  or 
contributor; 

(ii) any property acquired by the trust out of any contributions made by any person which would 
have  been  illegally  acquired  property  in  relation  to  such  person  had  such  person  acquired  such 
property out of such contributions. 

58M.  Certain  transfers  to  be  null  and  void.—Where  after  the  making  of  an  order  under  
sub-section  (1)  of  section  58F  or  the  issue  of  a  notice  under  section  58H  or  under  section  58L,  any 
property referred to in the said order or notice is transferred by any mode whatsoever, such transfer shall, 
for the purposes of the proceedings under this Chapter, be ignored and if such property is subsequently 
forfeited to the State Government under section 58-I, then, the transfer of such property shall be deemed 
to be null and void. 

58N.  Constitution  of  Appellate  Tribunal.—(1) The State  Government  may,  by  notification in the 
Official  Gazette,  constitute  an  Appellate  Tribunal  to  be  called  the  Appellate  Tribunal  for  Forfeited 
Property  consisting  of  a  Chairman,  and  such  number  of  other  members  (being  officers  of  the  State 

48 

 
Government  not  below  the  rank  of  a  Principal  Secretary  to  the  Government),  as  the  State  Government 
thinks fit, to be appointed by that Government for hearing appeals against the orders made under section 
58F, section 58-I, sub-section (1) of section 58K or section 58L. 

(2) The Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal shall be a person who is or has been or is qualified to be a 

Judge of a High Court. 

(3) The terms and conditions of service of the Chairman and other members shall be such as may be 

prescribed. 

58-O.  Appeals.—(1)  Any  person  aggrieved  by  an  order  of  the  competent  authority  made  under 
section 58F, section 58-I, sub-section (1) of section 58K or section 58L may, within forty-five days from 
the date on which the order is served on him prefer an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal: 

Provided that the Appellate Tribunal may entertain an appeal after the said period of forty-five days, 
but  not  after  sixty  days,  from  the  date  aforesaid  if  it  is  satisfied  that  the  appellant  was  prevented  by 
sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time. 

(2)  On  receipt  of  an  appeal  under  sub-section  (1),  the  Appellate  Tribunal  may,  after  giving  an 
opportunity of being heard to the appellant, if he so desires, and after making such further inquiry as it 
deems fit, confirm, modify or set aside the order appealed against. 

(3) The Appellate Tribunal may regulate its own procedure. 

(4)  On  application  to  the  Appellate  Tribunal  and  on  payment  of  the  prescribed  fee,  the  Appellate 
Tribunal may allow a party to any appeal or any person authorised in this behalf by such party to inspect 
at any time during office hours, any relevant records and registers of the Appellate Tribunal and obtain a 
certified copy or any part thereof. 

58P. Notice or order not to be invalid for error in description.—No notice issued or served, no 
declaration made, and no order passed under this Chapter shall be deemed to be invalid by reason of any 
error  in  the  description  of  the  property  or  person  mentioned  therein  if  such  property  or  person  is 
identifiable from the description so mentioned. 

58Q.  Bar  of  jurisdiction.—No  order  passed  or  declaration  made  under  this  Chapter  shall  be 
appealable except as provided therein and no civil court shall have jurisdiction in respect of any matter 
which  the  Appellate  Tribunal  or  any  competent  authority  is  empowered  by  or  under  this  Chapter  to 
determine,  and  no  injunction  shall  be  granted  by  any  court  or  other  authority  in  respect  of  any  action 
taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Chapter. 

58R.  Competent  Authority  and  Appellate  Tribunal  to  have  powers  of  civil  court.—The 
competent authority and the Appellate Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil court while trying a 
suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) in respect of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; 

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; 

(c) receiving evidence on affidavits; 

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; 

(e) issuing commissions for examination of witnesses or documents; 

(f) any other matter which may be prescribed. 

58S.  Information  to  competent  authority.—(1)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  any  other 
law  for  the  time  being  in  force,  the  competent  authority  shall  have  power  to  require  any  officer  or 
authority of the Central Government or a State Government or a local authority to furnish information in 
relation to such persons, on points or matters as in the opinion of the competent authority will be useful 
for, or relevant to, the purposes of this Chapter. 

49 

 
(2) Every officer referred to in section 58T may furnish suo motu any information available with him 
to the competent authority if in the opinion of the officer such information will be useful to the competent 
authority for the purposes of this Chapter. 

58T.  Certain  officers  to  assist  Administrator,  competent  authority  and  Appellate  Tribunal.—
For  the  purposes  of  any  proceedings  under  this  Chapter,  the  following  officers  shall  render  such 
assistance  as  may  be  necessary  to  the  Administrator  appointed  under  section  58G,  competent  authority 
and the Appellate Tribunal, namely:— 

(a) officers of Police; 

(b) officers of the State Forest Departments; 

(c) officers of the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau; 

(d) officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence; 

(e) such other officers as specified by the State Government in this behalf by notification in the 

Official Gazette. 

58U.  Power  to  take  possession.—(1)  Where  any  property  has  been  declared  to  be  forfeited  to  the 
State Government under this Chapter, or where the person affected has failed to pay the fine due under 
sub-section (1) of section 58K within the time allowed therefor under sub-section (3) of that section, the 
competent authority may order the person affected as well as any other person who may be in possession 
of  the  property  to  surrender  or  deliver  possession  thereof  to  the  Administrator  appointed  under  section 
58G or to any person duly authorised by him in this behalf within thirty days of the service of the order. 

(2)  If  any  person  refuses  or  fails  to  comply  with  an  order  made  under  sub-section  (1),  the 
Administrator  may  take  possession  of the  property  and  may  for  that  purpose  use  such force  as  may  be 
necessary. 

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Administrator may, for the purpose of 
taking  possession  of  any  property  referred  to  in  sub-section  (1)  requisition  the  services  of  any  police 
officer to assist him and it shall be the duty of such officer to comply with such requisition. 

58V.  Rectification of mistakes.—With  a  view to  rectifying  any  mistake  apparent  from  record,  the 
competent  authority  or  the  Appellate  Tribunal,  as  the  case  may  be,  may  amend  any  order  made  by  it 
within a period of one year from the date of the order: 

Provided that if any such amendment is likely to affect any person prejudicially and the mistake is not 
of a clerical nature, it shall not be made without giving to such person a reasonable opportunity of being 
heard. 

58W. Findings under other laws not conclusive for proceedings under this Chapter.—No finding 
of any officer or authority under any other law shall be conclusive for the purposes of any proceedings 
under this Chapter. 

58X. Service of notices and orders.—Any notice or order issued or made under this Chapter shall be 

served,— 

(a) by tendering the notice or order or sending it by registered post to the  person for whom it is 

intended or to his agent; 

(b) if the notice or order cannot be served in the manner provided in clause (a), then, by affixing 
it on a conspicuous place in the property in relation to which the notice or order is issued or made or 
on some conspicuous part of the premises in which the person for whom it is intended is known to 
have last resided or carried on business or personally worked for gain. 

58Y.Punishment for acquiring property in relation to which proceedings have been taken under 
this Chapter.—Any person who knowingly acquires, by any mode whatsoever, any property in relation 
to which proceedings are pending under this Chapter shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term 
which may extend to five years and with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.] 

50 

 
 
 
CHAPTER VII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

59.  Officers  to  be  public servants.—Every  officer  referred  to  1[in  Chapter  II  and  the  chairperson, 
members,  member-secretary  and  other  officers  and  employees  referred  to  in  Chapter  IVA],  2[Chapter 
IVB] and every other officer exercising any of the powers conferred by this Act shall be deemed to be a 
public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). 

60.  Protection  of  action  taken  in  good  faith.—(1)  No-suit,  prosecution  or  other  legal  proceeding 
shall lie  against  any  officer  or other employee  of the  Central  Government  or the  State  Government for 
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act. 

(2)  No  suit  or  other  legal  proceeding  shall  lie  against  the  Central  Government  or  the  State 
Government or any of its officers or other employees for any damage caused or likely to be caused by 
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act. 

3[(3)  No  suit  or  other  legal  proceeding  shall  lie  against  the  Authority  referred  to  in  Chapter 
IVA4[Chapter  IVB]  and  its  chairperson,  members,  member-secretary,  officers  and  other  employees  for 
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.] 

5[60A. Reward to persons.—(1) When a court imposes a sentence of fine or a sentence of which fine 
forms  a  part,  the  Court  may,  when  passing  judgment,  order  that  the  reward  be  paid  to  a  person  who 
renders assistance in the detection of the offence or the apprehension of the offenders out of the proceeds 
of fine not exceeding 6[fifty per cent. of such fine]. 

(2) Where a case is compounded under Sec. 54, the officer compounding may order reward to be paid 
to a person who renders assistance in the detection of the offence or the apprehension of the offenders out 
of the sum of money accepted by way of composition not exceeding 7[fifty per cent. of such money].] 

8[60B. Reward by State Government.—The State Government may empower the Chief Wild Life 
Warden to order payment of reward not exceeding ten thousand rupees to be paid to a person who renders 
assistance in the detection of the offence or the apprehension of the offender, from such fund and in such 
manner as may be prescribed.] 

61. Power to alter entries in Schedules.—(1) The Central Government may, if it is of opinion that it 
is expedient so to do, by notification,  9[add or delete any entry to or from any Schedule] or transfer any 
entry from one Part of a Schedule to another Part of the same Schedule or from one Schedule to another. 

* 

10*   
 (3) On the issue of a notification under sub-section (1) 11***, the relevant Schedule shall be deemed 
to be altered accordingly, provided that every such alteration shall be without prejudice to anything done 
or omitted to be done before such alteration. 

* 

* 

* 

12*   

* 

* 

* 

* 

Provided  that  any  such  alteration  made  by  the  State  Government,  if  it  has  been  made  with  the 

previous consent of the Central Government, shall prevail in that State: 

1. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 41, for “in Chapter II and” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 5 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006). 
3. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 42 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 6 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006). 
5. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 43 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
6. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 35, for “twenty per cent. of such fine” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
7. Subs. by s. 35, ibid., for “twenty per cent. of such money” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
8. Ins. by s. 36, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
9. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 44, for “add any entry to any Schedule” (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
10. Sub-section (2) omitted by s. 44, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
11. The words brackets and figure “or sub-section (2)” omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 44 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
12. Sub-section (4) omitted by s. 44, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Provided  further  that  nothing  in  the  foregoing  proviso  shall  prevent  the  Central  Government  from 

modifying or cancelling, at any time, the alteration made by the State Government. 

62.  Declaration  of  certain  wild  animals  to  be  vermin.—1[The  Central  Government]may,  by 
notification, declare any wild animal other than those specified in Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II to 
be vermin for any area and for such period as may be specified therein and so long as such notification is 
in force, such wild animal shall be deemed to have been included in Schedule V. 

63.  Power  of  Central  Government  to  make  rules.—2[(1)  The  Central  Government  may,  by 

notification, make rules for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) conditions and other matters subject to which a licensee may keep any specified plant in his 

custody or possession under section17F; 

3[(ai) the term of office of members other than those who are members ex officio; the manner of 
filling  vacancies,  the  procedure  to  be  followed  by  the  National  Board  under  sub-section  (2)  and 
allowances of those members under sub-section (3) of section 5A;] 

4[(aa) the matters to be prescribed under clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 44;] 

(b)  the  salaries,  allowances  and  other  conditions  of  appointment  of  chairperson,  members  and 

member-secretary under sub-section (5) of section 38B; 

(c)  the  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  Central  Zoo 

Authority under sub-section (7) of section 38B; 

(d)  the  form  in  which  the  annual  statement  of  accounts  of  the  Central  Zoo  Authority  shall  be 

prepared under sub-section (4) of section 38E; 

(e) the form in which and the time at which the annual report of the Central Zoo Authority shall 

be prepared under section 38F; 

(f) the form in which and the fee required to be paid with the application for recognition of a zoo 

under sub-section (2) of section 38H; 

(g)  the  standards,  norms  and  other  matters  to  be  considered  for  granting  recognition  under  

sub-section (4) of section 38H; 

5[(gi) qualifications and experience of experts or professionals under clause (d) of sub-section (2) 

of section 38-1; 

(gii)  the  salaries  and  allowances  and  other  conditions  of  appointment  of  the  members  under  

sub-section (4) of section 38M; 

(giii)  the  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  officers  and  other  employees  of  the  Tiger 

Conservation Authority under sub-section (2) of section 38N; 

(giv) the form in which the annual statement of accounts of Tiger Conservation Authority shall be 

prepared under sub-section (1) of section 38R; 

(gv) the form in which and the time at which the annual report of Tiger Conservation Authority 

shall be prepared under section 38S; 

(gvi) other powers of the Wild Life Crime Control Bureau under clause (ii) of sub-section (2) of 

section 38Z.] 

(h) the form in which declaration shall be made under sub-section (2) of section 44; 

(i) the matters to be prescribed under Cl. (b) of sub-section (4) of section 44; 

1. Subs. byAct 44 of 1991, s. 45, for certain words (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. Subs. by s. 46, ibid.,for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 37 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
4. Ins. by Act 23 of 1982, s. 4 (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 
5. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 7 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006). 

52 

 
                                                           
(j) the terms and conditions which shall govern transaction referred to in clause (b) of section 48; 

(k) the manner in which notice may be given by a person under clause (c) of section 55; 

(1) the matters specified in sub-section (2) of section 64 in so far as they relate to sanctuaries and 

National Parks declared by the Central Government.] 

(2) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 
House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in 
one  session  or in  two  or more  successive  sessions, and  if  before the  expiry  of  the  session  immediately 
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification 
in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only 
in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or 
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. 

64. Power of  State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government may, by notification, 
make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act in respect of matters which do not fall within the 
purview of section 63. 

(2)  In  particular  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

1[(a) the term of office of members other than those who are members, ex officio, the manner of 

filling vacancies and the procedure to be followed by the Board under sub-section (2) of section 6; 

(b) allowances referred to in sub-section (3) of section 6;] 

(c)the  forms  to  be  used  for  any  application,  certificate,  claim,declaration,  licence,  permit, 
registration, return, or other document, made, granted, or submitted under the provisions of this Act 
and the fees, if any, therefor; 

(d) the conditions subject to which any licence or permit may be granted under this Act; 
2[(dd) the conditions subject to which the officers will be authorised to file cases in the court;] 

(e)the particulars of the record of wild animals (captured or killed) to be kept and submitted by 

the licensee; 

3[(ee) the manner in which measures for immunisation of live-stock shall be taken;] 

(f)  regulation  of  the  possession,  transfer  and  the  sale  of  captive  animals,  meat,  animal  articles, 

trophies and uncured trophies; 

(g) regulation of taxidermy; 
4[(ga) the manner and conditions subject to which the Administrator shall receive and manage the 

property under sub-section (2) of section 58G; 

(gb)  the  terms  and  conditions  of  service  of  the  Chairman  and  other  members  under  

sub-section (3) of section 58N; 

(gc) the fund from which and the manner in which payment of reward under section 60B shall be 

made;] 

(h) any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed under this Act. 

65. Rights of Scheduled Tribes to be protected.—Nothing in this Act shall affect the hunting rights 
conferred on the Scheduled Tribes of the Nicobar Islands in the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar 
Islands  by  notification  of  the  Andaman  and  Nicobar  Administration,  No.  40,/67/F,  No.  G635,  Vol.  III, 

1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 38, for clauses (a) and (b) (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
2. Ins. by s. 38, ibid. (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 
3. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 47 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
4. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 38 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003). 

53 

 
                                                           
dated  the  28th  April,  1967,  published  at  pages  1  to  5  of  the  Extraordinary  issue  of  the  Andaman  and 
Nicobar Gazette, dated the 28th April, 1967. 

66. Repeal and savings.—(1) As from the commencement of this Act, every other Act relating to any 
matter contained in this Act and in force in a State shall, to the extent to which that Act or any provision 
contained therein corresponds, or is repugnant, to this Act or any provision contained in this Act, stand 
repealed: 

Provided that such repeal shall not,— 

(i)  affect  the  previous  operation  of  the  Act  so  repealed,  or  anything  duly  done  or  suffered 

thereunder; 

(ii) affect any right, privilege, obligation or liability, acquired, accrued or incurred under the Act 

so repealed; 

(iii)  affect  any  penalty,  forfeiture  or  punishment  incurred  in  respect  of  any  offence  committed 

against the Act so repealed; or 

(iv) affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, 

obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment as aforesaid; 

and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any 
such penalty, forfeiture and. Punishment may be imposed, as if the aforesaid Act had not been repealed. 

(2) Notwithstanding such repeal,— 

(a)  anything  done  or  any  action  taken  under  the  Act  so  repealed,  (including  any  notification, 
order,  certificate,  notice  or  receipt  issued,  application  made,  or  permit  granted)  which  is  not 
inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  be  deemed  to  have  been  done  or  taken  under  the 
corresponding provisions of this Act as, if this Act were in force at the time such thing was done or 
action was taken, and shall continue to be in force, unless and until superseded by anything done or 
any action taken under this Act; 

(b)  every  licence  granted  under  any  Act  so  repealed  and  in  force  immediately  before  the 
commencement of this Act shall be deemed to have been granted under the corresponding provisions 
of this Act and shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, continue to be in force for the unexpired 
portion. of the period for which such licence had been granted. 

(3) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any sanctuary or National Park declared by a 
State  Government  under  any  Act  repealed  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  deemed  to  be  a  sanctuary  or 
National Park, as, the case may be, declared by the State Government under this Act and where any right  

in or over any land in any such National Park which had not been extinguished under the said Act, at or 
before the commencement of this Act, the extinguishment of such rights shall be made in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act. 

1[(4)  For  the  removal  of  doubts,  it  is  hereby  further  declared  that  where  any  proceeding  under  any 
provision of section 19 to 25 (both inclusive) is pending on the date of commencement of the Wild Life 
(Protection)  Amendment  Act,  1991  (44  of  1991),  any  reserve  forest  or  a  part  of  territorial  waters 
comprised  within  a  sanctuary  declared  under  section  18  to  be  a  sanctuary  before  the  date  of  such 
commencement shall be deemed to be a sanctuary declared under section. 26A.] 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 48 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

54 

 
 
 
                                                           
SCHEDULE I 

(See Sections 2, 8, 9, 11, 40, 41, 43, 48, 51, 61 and 62) 

PART I  

MAMMALS 

Andaman Wild pig (Susandamanensis).] 

Bharal (Ovis nahura).] 

Binturong (Arctictis binturong).] 

Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) 

***] 

Brow-antlered deer or Thamin (Cervus eldi.) 

Himalayan Brown bear (Ursus Arctos).] 

Capped Langur (Presbyx pileatus).] 

Caracal (Felis caracal).] 

Catecean spp.] 

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus). 

Chinese Pangolin (Mainis pentadactyla).] 

Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella bennetti).] 

Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). 

Crab-eating Macaque (Macaca irus umbrosa).] 

Desert Cat (Felis libyca).] 

Desert fox (Vulpes bucapus).] 

Dugong (Dugong dugon). 

Ermine (Mustele erminea).] 

Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina). 

Four-horned antelope (Tetraceros quadricornis).] 

***] 

***] 

Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica).] 

Gaur or Indian bison (Bos gaurus).] 

Golden cat (Felis temmincki). 

1[1.  
2[1-A. 
2[1-B. 
2.    
2[2-A. 
3.    
3[3-A. 
3[3-B. 
4.    
2[4A. 
5.    
4[5-A. 
1[5-B. 
6.    
2[6-A. 
2[6-B.] 
3[6-C. 
7.    
2[7-A. 
8. 
1[8-A. 
2[8-B. 
3[8-C. 
3[8-D. 
3[8-E. 
9.    

10.  Golden langur (Presbytis geei). 
3[10-A. 
3[10-B.]  HimalayanIbex (Capra ibex).] 

Giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura).] 

1. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

2.  Vide  Notification  No.  F1-28/78  FRY(WL),  dated  9th  September,  1980,  published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  Extra.,  Pt.  II, 

Sec.3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

3. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

4. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p. 333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

55 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
1[10-C.]  Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus).] 

11.  Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus). 
1[11-A. 

Hog badger (Arctonyx collaris).] 

12.   
2[12-A. 
1[12-B. 

13.   

14.   
3[15.  

16.   

Hoolock(Hylobates hoolock).] 

[***] 

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus).] 

Indian lion (panthera leo persica). 

Indian wild Ass (Equus homionus khur). 

Indian wolf (Canis lupas pallipes).] 

Kashmir Stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu). 

2[16-A. Leaf monkey (Presbytis phayrei).] 
2[16-B.  Leopard or Panther (Panthera pardus).] 

17.   

18.   

19.   

Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis). 

Lesser or Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens). 

Lion-Tailed macaque (Macaca silenus). 

20.   

Loris (Loris tardigradus). 
1[20-A. Little Indian Porpoise (Neomeris phocenoides).] 

21.   

Lynx (Felis lynx isabellinus). 

22.   

Malabar Civet (Viverra megaspila). 
2[22-A. Malay or Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus).] 

23.   

Marbled cat (Felis marmorata). 

24.   

Markhor (Capra falconeri). 
4[24-A. Mouse Deer (Tragulus meminna).] 

25.   

Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus). 

1[25-A. Nilgiri Lungur (Presbytis johni).] 
1[25-B.  Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius).] 

26.   

27.   

28.   

Nyan or Great Tibetan sheep(Ovis ammon hodgsoni). 

Pallas’s cat (Felis manul). 

Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata). 

29.   
2[29-A. 

Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius). 

Ratel (Mellivora capensis).] 

30.   

Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). 

31.   
4[31-A. 

Rusty Spotted Cat (Felis rubiginosa). 

Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis).] 

1. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986 published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

2. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

3. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II,Sec. 

3(i), p. 333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

4. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

56 

 
                                                           
Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus).] 
Slow Loris (Nyeticebus coucang). 
Small Travancore Flying Squirrel (Petinomys fuscopapillus).] 
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia). 
Snubfin Dolphin (Orcaella brevezastris).] 
Spotted Linsang (Prionodon pardicolor). 
Swamp Deer (All sub-species of Cervus duvauceli). 
Takin or Mishmi Takin (Budorcas taxicolor). 
Tibetan Antelope or Chiru (Panthelops hodgsoni).] 
Tibetan Fox (Vulpes ferrilatus).] 
Tibetan Gazelle (Procapra picticaudata). 
Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus hemionus kiang). 
Tiger (Panthera tigris). 
Urial or Shapu (Ovis vignei). 
Wild Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). 

1[31-B.Clawless Otter (Aonyx cinerea).] 
1[31-C.] 
32.   
1[32-A. 
33.   
1[33-A. 
34.   
35.   
36.   
2[36-A. 
1[36-B. 
37.   
38.   
39.   
40.   
41.   
2[41-A.  Wild Yak (Bos grunniens).] 
1[41-B. 
3[42. Wroughton’s free tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) 
43. Salim Ali’s fruit bat (Latidens salimalii)] 
4[44. Hog Deer (Axis Porcinus)] 

Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco).] 

PART II 
AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES 

***] 

2[1. Agra Monitor Lizard [Varanus griseus (Daudin).]] 
5[1-A. 
1[1-B. 
1[1-C]. 
1[1-D]. 

Audithia Turtle (Pelochelys bibroni).] 

Barred, Oval, or Yellow Monitor Lizard (Varanus flavescens).] 

Crocodiles  (Including  the  Estuarine  or  saltwater  crocodile)(Crocodilus  porusus  and 
Crocodilus palustris).] 

5[1-E. 
1-F. 

2.   
6[3.  
1[3-A. 
4.   

Terrapin (Batagur baska).] 

Eastern Hill Terrapin (Melanochelys tricarinata).] 

Gharial (Gravialis gangeticus). 

Ganges Soft-shelled Turtle (Trionyx gangeticus).] 

Golden Gecko (Caloductyloides aureus).] 
Green Sea Turle (Chelonia Mydas). 

1. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

2. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL),dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p.385, dated 5th October, 1977 

3. Vide Notification No. S.O.  1085(E),dated 30th September, 2002, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), 

dated 11th October, 2002. 

4.  Ins.  by  S.O.  3653(E),  dated  6th  December,  2013,  published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  Extra.,  Pt.  II,  Sec.  3(ii),  dated  12th 

December, 2013. 

5.  Vide  Notification  No. F1-28/78  FRY(WL),  dated 9th  September,  1980, published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  Extra.,Pt.  II,  Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

6. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated  29th August, 1977, published in the Gezette of India, Extra., pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p. 333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

57 

 
                                                           
5.   
1[6.  
7.   
8.   
9.   
9-A. 
10.  
11.   
12.   
13.   
14.   
1[14-A. 
1[14B. 
14C.  
2[15.  
2[16. 
2[17. 
3[17-A.  Water Lizard (Varanus salvator).] 

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata imbriscata). 
*****] 
Indian Egg eating Snake (Elachistodon westermanni). 
Indian Soft-shelled Turtle (Lissemys punctata punctata). 
Indian Tent Turtle (Kachuga tecta tecta). 
Kerala Forest Terrapin (Hoesemys sylratica). 
Large Bengal Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis). 
Leathery Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). 
Logger Head Turtle (Caretta caretta). 
Olive Back Logger Head Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). 
Peacock-marked Solf-shelled Turtle (Trionyx hurum). 
Pythons (Genus python).] 
Sail terrapin (Kachuga kachuga).] 
Spotted black Terrapin (Geoclemys hamiltoni).] 
***] 
***] 
***] 

4[PART IIA 
FISHES 

1. Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus).] 
5[6[2. Shark and Ray. 

(i) 

Anoxypristis cuspidata 

(ii) 

Carcharhinus hemiodon 

(iii)  Glyphis gangeticus 

(iv)  Glyphis glyphis 

(v) 

Himantura fluviatilis 

(vi) 

Pristis microdon 

(vii)  Pristis zijsron 

(viii)  Rhybchobatus djiddensis 

(ix)  Urogymnus asperrimus.] 

3. Sea Horse (All Sygnathidians). 

1. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Section 3(i), 

dated 24th November, 1986.  

2. Vide Notification NO. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

3. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p.333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

4. Vide Notification No. S.O. 474(E), dated 28th May,2001, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Section 3(ii), dated      

29th May, 2001. 

5. Ins. videNotification No. S.O. 665(E) dated 11th July, 2001. 
6. Subs by Notification No. S.O. 1197(E), dated 5th December, 2001 (w.e.f. 6-12-2001) and corrected by S.O. 233(E), dated 19th 

February, 2002. 

58 

 
                                                           
4. Giant Grouper (Ephinephelus lanceolatus).] 

PART III 

BIRDS 

1[1.  

1-A. 

Andaman Teal (Anas gibberifrons allagularis). 

Assam Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytchii).] 

2[1-B.  Bazas (Aviceda jeordone and Aviceda leuphotes).] 
2[1-C.  Bengal Florican (Eupodotis bengalensis).] 

1-D. 

Black-necked crane (Grus nigriocollis). 

1-E. 
3[1-F.  ***] 

2.    
3[2-A. 

4[2-B. 

Blood Pheasants (Ithaginis cruentus tibetanus, lthagins Cruentus kuseri). 

Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichi). 

Eastern White Stork (Ciconia ciconia boyciana).] 

Forest spotted Owlet (Athene blewitti).] 

4[2-C.  Frogmouths (Genus batrachostomus). 

3.    

4.    

Great Indian Bustard (Choriotis nigriceps). 

Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). 

3[4-A.  Hawks (Accipitridae).] 
4[4-B.  Hooded Crane (Grus monacha).] 

4[4-C. 

4[4-D. 
4[4-E. 
4[4-F. 

5.    

6.    

7.    

Hornbills  (Ptilolaemus 
ticehursti).] 

tickelli  austeni,  Aceros  nipalensis,  Rhyticeros  undulatus 

Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata).] 

Humes Bar-backed Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae).] 

Indian Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros malabaricus).] 

Jerdon’s Courser (Cursorius bitorquatus). 

Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). 

Large Falcons (Falco peregrinus, Falco biarmicus and Falco chicuera).] 

4[7-A.  Large Whistling Teal (Dendrocygna bicolor).] 
5[7-B.  Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indica).] 
5[7-C].  Monal Pheasants (Lophophorus imperyanus, Lophophorus Sclateri).] 

8.    

Mountain Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa). 

9.    
5[9-A.  ***] 

Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros (undulatus )narcondami).] 

1. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5thOctober, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

2. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p.333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

3. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

4. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p. 333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

5. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

59 

 
                                                           
10.   

Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius freycinet). 
1[10-A. Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica pelewensis).] 

1[10-B. 

Osprey or Fish-eating Eagle (Pandion haliatetus).] 

1[10-C.  Peacock Pheasants (Polyplectron bicalcaratum).] 

11. Peafowl (Pavo cristatus). 

12. Pink-headed duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea). 

13.  Scalater’s Monal (Lophophorus sclateri). 

14.  Siberian White Crane (Grus leucogeranus). 
2[14-A.***] 
1[14B.Tibetan Snow-Cock (Tetraogallus tibetanus).] 

15.  Tragopan  Pheasants  (Tragopan  melanocephalus,  Tragopan  blythii,  Tragopan  satyra,  Tragopan 

temminckii). 

16.  White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaetus leucogaster). 

17.  White-eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon). 
3[17-A. White Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia).] 

18.  White-winged Wood Duck (Cairina scutulata). 
4[19. Swiftlets (Collocaliaunicolor and 5[***]) 

20. Hill myna (Gracula religiosa intermedia,Gracula religiosa peninsularis, Gracula religiosa indica 

and Gracula religiosa andamanesis) 

21. Tibetan ear pheasant (Crossoptilon harmani) 

22. Kalij pheasant (Lophurs leucomelana) 

23. Lord Derby’s parakeet (Psittacula derbyana) 

24. Vultures (Gyps indicus, Gyps bengalensis, Gypstenuirostris) 

25. White bellied hereon (Ardea insignis)] 

1[PART IV 

CRUSTACEA AND INSECTS 

 3[1.] Butterflies and Moths 

Common English name 

Family Amathusildae 

Discophora deo deo 

Duffer, banded 

1. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p.333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

2. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

3. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

4.  Vide  Notification  No.  S.O.  1085(E)  dated 30thSeptember,  2002,  published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  Extra.,  Pt.  II,  Sec.  3(ii), 

dated11th October, 2002. 

5. The word “Collacalia fusiphaga” in entry 19 omitted by S.O. 3653 (E), dated 6th December,2013,published in the Gazette of 

India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), dated 12th December, 2013. 

60 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
 
Discophora sondaica muscina 

Duffer, common 

Faunis faunula faunuloides 

Pallid fauna 

Family Danaidae 

Danaus gautama gautamoides 

Tigers 

Euploea crameri nicevillei 

Crow, spotted Black 

Euploea midamus roepstorfti 

Crow, Blue-spotted 

Family Lycaenidae 

Allotinus drumila 

Darkie, crenulate/Great 

Allotinus fabius penormis 

Angled darkie 

Amblopala avidiena 

Hairstreak, Chinese 

Amblypodia ace arata 

Leaf Blue 

Amblypodia alea constanceae 

Rosy Oakblue 

Amblypodia ammonariel 

Malayan Bush blue 

Amblypodia arvina ardea 

Purple Brown tailless Oakblue 

Amblypodia asopia 

Amblypodia comica 

Amblypodia opalima 

Amblypodia zeta 

Biduanda Melisa Cyara 

Plain tailless Oakblue 

Comic Oakblue 

Opal Oakblue 

Andaman tailless Oakblue 

Biduanda melisa cyara 

Blue posy 

Callophyrs leechii 

Hairstreak, Ferruginous 

Catalius rosimon alarbus 

Pierrot, common 

Charana cepheis 

Chiloria othona 

Mandar in Blue, Cachar 

Tit, orchid 

Deudoryx epijarbas amatius 

Cornelian, scarce 

Everes moorei 

Gerydus biggsii 

Cupid, Moore’s 

Bigg’s Brownie 

Gerydus symethus diopeithes 

Great Brownie 

Helipohorus hybrida 

Horaga albimacula 

Jamides ferrari 

Liphyra brassolis 

Sapphires 

Onyxes 

Caeruleans 

Butterfly, Moth 

61 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
Listeria dudgeni 

Lister’s hairstreak 

Logania Watsoniana subfasciate 

Mottle, Watsen’s 

Lycaenopsis binghami 

Hedge Blue 

Lycaenopsis haraldus ananga 

Hedge Blue, Felder’s 

Lycaenopsis puspa prominens 

Common hedge Blue 

Lycaenopsis quadriplaga dohertyi 

Naga hedge Blue 

Nacaduba noreia hampsoni 

Lineblue, White-tipped 

Polymmatus oritulus leela 

Greenish mountain Blue 

Pratapa lcetas mishmia 

Royal, dark Blue 

Simiskina phalena harterti 

Brilliant, Broadlanded 

Sinthusa Virgo 

Spindasis elwesi 

Spindasis rukmini 

Spark, Pale 

Silverline, Elwes’s 

Silverline, Khaki 

Strymoni mackwoodi 

Hairstreak, Mackwood’s 

Tajuria ister 

Tajuria luculentus nela 

Tajuria yajna yajna 

Thecla ataxus zulla 

Royal, uncertain 

Royal, Chinese 

Royal, Chestnut and Black 

Wonderful hairstreak 

Thecla bleti mendera 

Indian Purple hairstreak 

Thecla letha 

Thecla paona 

Thecla pavo 

Virachola smilis 

Family Nymphalidae 

Apatura ulupi ulupi 

Argynnis hegemone 

Callnaga buddha 

Watson’s hairstreak 

Paona hairstreak 

Peacock hairstreak 

Guava Blues 

Emperor, Tawny 

Silver-washed fritillary 

Freak 

Chraxes durnfordi nicholi 

Rajah, chestnut 

Cirrochroa fasciata 

Diagora nicevillei 

Dillpa morgiana 

Yeomen 

Siren, Scarce 

Emperor, Golden 

Doleschallia bisaltide andamana 

Autuman leaf 

Eriboea moori sandakanas 

Malyan Nawab 

Eriboea schreiberi 

Blue Nawab 

62 

 
  
Eulaceura manipurensis 

Emperor, Tytler’s 

Euthaila durga splendens 

Barons/Connis/Duchesses 

Euthalia iva 

Euthalia Khama Curvifascia 

Euthalia tellchinia 

Helcyra hemina 

Hypolimnas missipus 

Duke, Grand 

Duke, Naga 

Baron, Blue 

Emperor, White 

Eggfly, Danaid 

Limenitis austenia purpurascens 

Commodore, Grey 

Limenitis zulema 

Melitaea shandura 

Neptis antilope 

Neptis aspasia 

Admirals 

Fritillaries/Silverstripes 

Sailer, variegated 

Sailer, Great Hockeystick 

Neptis columella kankena 

Sailer, Short-banded 

Neptis cydippe kirbariensis 

Sailer, Chinese yellow 

Neptis ebusa 

Sailer/ Lascar 

Neptis jumbah binghami 

Sailer, chestnut-streaked 

Neptis manasa 

Neptis nycteus 

Neptis poona 

Neptis sankara 

Sailer, Pale Hockeystick 

Sailer, Hockeystick 

Lascar, tytler’s 

Sailer, Board-banded 

Panthoporia jina jina 

Bhutan sergeant 

Panthorpria reta moorei 

Malay staff sergeant 

Prothoc franckii regalis 

Sasakia funebris 

Seophisa chandra 

Symbrenthia silana 

Vanessa antiopa yedunula 

Family Papilionidae 

Begum, Blue 

Empress 

Courtier, Eastern 

Jester, Scarce 

Admirable 

Chilasa clytea clytea f. commixtus 

Common mime 

Papilio elephenor 

Papilio liomedon 

Spangle, yellow-crested 

Swallowtail, Malabar Banded 

Parnassius aeco geminifer 

Apollo 

Parnassius delphius 

Banded apollo 

Parnassius hannyngtoni 

Hannyngton’s apollo 

63 

 
  
Parnassius imperator augustus 

Imperial apollo 

Parnassium stoliezkanus 

Ladakh Banded Apollo 

Polydorus coon sambilanga 

Common clubtail 

Polydorus cerassipes 

Polydorus hector 

Polydorus nevilli 

Black windmill 

Crimson rose 

Nevill’s windmill 

Polydorus plutonius pembertoni 

Chinese windmill 

Polydorus polla 

Family Pleridae 

Deniceylle’s windmill. 

Aporia harrietae harrietae 

Black veins 

Baltia butleri sikkima 

Colias colians thrasibulus 

Colias dubi 

Delias samaca 

Pieris krueperi devta 

Family Satyriidae 

White butterfly 

Clouded yellows 

Dwarf clouded yellow 

Jezebel, pale 

Butterfly cabbage/White II 

Coelitis monthis adamsoni 

Cat’s eye, Scarce 

Cyllogenes janetae 

Elymnias peali 

Elymnias penanga philasis 

Erebia annada annada 

Evening Brown, Scarce 

Palmfly, Peal’s 

Palmfly, Painted 

Argus, ringed 

Erebia nara singha nara singha 

Argus, Mottled 

Lethe, distans 

Lethe dura gammiee 

Lethe europa tamuna 

Lethe gemina gafuri 

Forester, Scarce Red 

Lilacfork, Scarce 

Bamboo tree brown 

Tayler’s tree brown 

Lethe guluihal guluihal 

Forester, Dull 

Lethe margaritae 

Lethe ocellata lyncus 

Lethe ramadeva 

Lethe satyabati 

Tree brown, Bhutan 

Mystic, dismal 

Silverstripe, Single 

Forester, pallid 

Mycalesis orseis nautilus 

Bushbrown, Purple 

Pararge menava maeroides 

Wall dark 

Yothima dohertyi persimisis 

Five ring, Great] 

1[1-A.Coconut or Robber Carb (Bigrus latro)] 
1[2.Dragon Fly (Epioplebia laidlawi)] 

1. Vide Notification NO. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Section 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October,1980. 

64 

 
  
  
                                                           
1[PART IVA 

COELENTERATES 

1. Reef Building Coral (All Scleractinians). 

2. Black Coral (All Antipatharians). 

3. Organ Pipe Coral (Tubipora musica). 

4. Fire Coral (All Millipora Species). 

5. Sea Fan (All Gorgonians).] 

2[PART IVB 

MOLLUSCA 

1. Cassis cornuta 

2. Charonia tritonis 

3. Conus milneedwardsi 

4. Cypraecassis rufa 

5. Hippopus hippopus 

6. Nautilus pompilicis 

7. Tridacna maxima 

8. Tridacna squamosa 

9. Tudicla spirillus.] 

PART IVC 

ECHINODERMATA 

Sea Cucumber (All Holothurians).] 

1. Ins. vide Notification F. 1-4/95 WL-I, dated 11th July, 2001. 
2. Subs. by S.O. 1197(E) dated 5th December, 2001 (w.e.f. 6-12-2001) and corrected by S.O. 233(E), dated 19th February, 2002. 

65 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
SCHEDULE II 
(See sections 2, 8, 9,1[***], 11, 40, 41, 43, 48, 51, 61, and 62) 
2[***] 
PART I 

Bengal Porcupine (Atherurus mecrourus assamensis).] 

Cetatean spp. (other than those listed in Sch. I and Sch.II, Part II).] 

***] 

***] 

***] 

Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis).] 

Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata).] 

Common langur (Presbytis entellus).] 

[1. ***] 
3[1-A. 
4[2.  
3.  
3[3-A. 
4[3-B. 
5[3-C. 
4[4. ***] 
3[4-A. 
6[5.  
3[6. ***] 
7.    
3[8. ***] 
3[9. ***] 
3[10. 
11.  Himalayan Crestless Porcupine(Hystrix hodgsoni). 
5[11-A. 
6[12. 
6[13. 
6[14. 
4[15. 
16.  Pig-tailed macaque(Macaca nemestrina). 
4[17. 
4[17-A. 
6[18.***] 
19.  Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca speciosa). 
6[20.***] 
21.  *** 

Rhesus macaque(Macaca mulatta). 

***] 

***] 

***] 

***] 

***] 

***] 

Ferret Badgers (Melogale moschata,Melogale personata). 

Himalayan Newtor Salamander (Tyletotriton verrucosus).] 

22.  Wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus). 
6[23. ***] 

1. The figures “10” omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 49 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. The words “SPECIAL GAME” omitted by s. 49, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra.,  Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p.333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

4. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

5. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E) dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

6. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

66 

 
                                                           
1[24. Chameleon (Chameleon calcaratus).] 

25. Spiny-tailed Lizard or Sanda (Uromastix hardwickii).] 

PART II 

2[1.]Beetles 

Family Carabidae 

Agonotrechus andrewesi 

Callistominus belli 

Amara brucei 

Chlaenius championi 

Amara eleganfula 

Chlaenius kanarae 

Brachinus atripennis 

Chlaenius masoni 

Broscosoma gracile 

Chlaenius nilgiricus 

Brosous bipillifer 

Broter ovicollis 

Family Chrysomelidae 

Acrocrypta rotundata 

Calatlius amaroides 

Bimala indica 

Clitea indica 

Gopala pita 

Griva cyanipennis 

Nisotra cardoni 

Nisotra madurensis 

Nisotra nigripennis 

Nisotra semicoerulea 

Family Erycinidae 

Abisara kausambi 

Dodona adonira 

Dodona dipoea 

Dodona egeon 

Libythea lepita 

Nisotra striatipennis 

Family Hesperiidae 

Nonarthra patkaia 

Baoris phidippina 

Psylliodes plana 

Psylliodes shira 

Sebaethe cervina 

Sebaethe patkaia 

Bebasa sena 

Halpe homolea 

 Family Lycaenidae 

Allotinus subviolaceus manychus 

Sphaeroderma brevicorne 

Amblypodia aberrans 

Amblypodia aenea 

Family Cucujidae 

Amblypodia agaba aurelia 

Carinophlocus raffrayi 

Amblypodia agrata 

Cucujus bicolor 

Amblypodia alesia 

Cucujus grouvelle 

Amblypodia apidanus ahamus 

1. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p.333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

2. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

67 

 
  
  
  
                                                           
Cucujus imperialis 

Amblypodia areste areste 

Heterojinus semilaetaneus 

Amblypodia bazaloides 

Laemophloeus belli 

Amblypodia camdeo 

Laemophloeus incertus 

Amblypodia ellisi 

Pediacus rufipes 

Amblypodia fulla ignara 

Family Inopeplidae 

Amblypodia paraganesa zephyreeta 

Amblypodia genesa watsoni 

Inopeplus albonotalus 

 Family Amathusidae 

Amblypodia paralea 

Aemona amathusia amathusia 

Amblypodia silhetensis 

Amathusia phildippus 
andamanicus 

Amblypodia suffusa suffusa 

Amathusia amythaonam 

Amblypodia yendava 

Discophora deo deodoides 

Apharitis lilacinus 

Discophora lepida lepida 

Araotes lapithis 

Discophora timora andamanensi 

Artipe eryx 

Enispe cycnus 

Bindahara phocides 

Faurds sumeus assama 

Bothrinia chennellial 

Sticopthalma nourmahal 

Castalius roxus manluena 

Thauria aliris amplifascia 

Catapoecilma delicatum 

Catapoecilma elegans myositina 

Family Danaidae 

Charana jalindra 

Euploea melanaleuca 

Cheritrella truncipennis 

Euploea midamus rogenhofer 

Chliaria kina 

Deudoryx hypargyria gaetulia 

Pratapa blanka 

Enchrysops onejus 

Everes kalaroi 

Pratapa deva 

Pratapa icetas 

Helipphorus androcles moorei 

Rapala buxaria 

Horage onyx 

Horage viola 

Rapala chandrana chandrana 

Rapala nasaka 

Hypolycaena nilgirica 

Rapala refalgens 

Hypolycaena thecloides 
nicobarica 

Rapala rubida 

Iraota rochana boswelliana 

Rapala scintilla 

Jamides alectokandulana 

Rapala ophinx ophinx 

68 

 
  
 
 
Jamides celeodus pura 

Rapala varuna 

Jamides kankena 

Spindasis elima elima 

Lampides boeticus 

Spindasis lohita 

Lilacea albocaerulea 

Spindasis nipalicus . 

Lilacea atroguttata 

Suasa lisides 

Lilacea lilacea 

Lilacea melaena 

Lilacea minima 

Surendra todara 

Tajuria albiplaga 

Tajuria cippus cippus 

Logania massalia 

Tajuria culta 

Lycaenesthes lycaenina 

Tajuria diaeus 

Mahathala ameria 

Tajuria illurgoodes 

Mahathala atkinsoni 

Tajuria illurgis 

Magisba malaya presbyter 

Tajuria jangala andamanica 

Nacaduba aluta coelestis 

Tajuria melastigma 

Nacaduba ancyra aberrans 

Tajuria sebonga 

Nacaduba dubiosa fulva 

Tajuria thydia 

Nacaduba helicon 

Tajuria yajna istroides 

Nacaduba hermus majoi 

Tarucus callinara 

Nacaduba pactolus 

Tarucus dharta 

Neucheritra febronia 

Thaduka malticaudata malkarnda 

Niphanda cymbia 

Orthomiella pontis 

Pithecops fulgens 

Thecla ataxus ataxus 

Thecla bitel 

Thecla icana 

Polyminatus devanica devanica 

Thecla jakamensis 

Polymmatus metallica metallica 

Thecla kabrea 

Polymmatus orbitulus jaloka 

Thecla khasia 

Polymmatus yeonghusbandi 

Thecla kirbariensis 

Poritia erycinoides elsiei 

Thecla suroia 

Poritia hewitsoni 

Thecla syla assamica 

Poritia plusrata geta 

Pratapa bhotes 

Thecla vittata 

 Thecla ziba 

Thecla zoa 

Thecla usta 

Una usta 

Euthalia merta eriphyle 

Euthalia nara nara 

Euthalia patala taocana 

69 

 
Yasoda tripunctata 

Euthalia teuta 

Family Nymphalidae 

Herona marathus andamana 

Adolias cyanipardus 

Hypolimnas missipus 

Adolias dirtea 

Adolias khasiana 

Apatura chevana 

Apatura parvata 

Apatura sordida 

Hypolimnas polynice birmana 

Kallima albofasciata 

KaIIima alompra 

Kallima philarchus horsfieldii 

Limenitis austenia austenia 

Apatura ulupi florenciae 

Limenitis damava 

Argyrmis adippe pallida 

Limenitis dudu 

Argynnis altissima 

Melitaea robertsi lutko 

Argynnis clara clara 

Neptis anjana nashona 

Argynnis pales horla 

Neptis aurelia 

Atella Iscippe 

Neptis magadh khasiana 

Calinaga buddha brahaman 

Neptis nandina hamsoni 

Charaxes aristogiton 

Neptis narayana 

Charaxes fabius sulphureus 

Neptis radha radha 

Charaxes nabruba 

Cliaraxes marmax 

Neptis soma 

Charaxes polyxena herman 

Neptis zaida 

Chersonesia rahria arahrioides 

Neurosigma doublodayi doubledayi 

Cyrestis cocles 

Pantoporia asura asura 

Diagora persimilis 

Pantoporia kanwa phorkys 

Doleschallia bisaltide 
malabarica 

Pantoporia larymna siamensis 

Eriboea athames andamanicus 

Pantoporia pravara a cutipennis 

Eriboea delphis 

Eriboea dolon 

Pantoporia ranga 

Parthenos sylvia 

Eriboea harcoea lissainei 

Penthema lisarda 

Euripus consimilis 

Euripus halitherses 

Euthalia anosia 

Euthalia cocytus 

Euthalia duda 

Symbrenthia niphanda 

Vanesa egea agnicula 

Vanesa lalbum 

Vanesa polychloros fervida 

Vanesa prarsoides dohertyi 

Euthalia durga durga 

Vanesa urticoe rizama 

70 

 
 
Futhalia evalina landabilis 

 Family Papilionidae 

Euthalia franciae 

Bhutanitis liderdalii 

Euthalia garuda acontius 

Chilasa epycides epycides 

Euthalia lepidea 

Chilasa paradoxa telearchus 

Chilasa slateri slateri 

Family Satyridae 

Graphium aristeus anticrates 

Aulocera brahminus 

Graphium arycies arycles 

Cyllogenes suradeva 

Graphium Graphium macronius 

Elymnias melilas milamba 

Graphium evemon aibociliates 

Elymnias vasudeva 

Graphium gyas gyas 

Erebia annada suroia 

Graphium megarus megaras 

Erebia hygriva 

Papilio bootes 

Papilio buddba 

Erebia kalinda kalinda 

Erebia manii manii 

Papilio fuscus andamanicus 

Erebia seanda opima 

Papilio machaon verityi 

Erites falcipennis 

Papilio mayo 

Hipparchis heydenreichi shandura 

Parnassius charltonius 
charltonius 

Lethe atkinsoni 

Parnassius epaphus hillensis 

Lethe baladeva 

Parnassius jacquemonti 
jacquemonti 

Lethe brisanda 

Polydorus latreillei kabrua 

Lethe goalpara goalpara 

Polydorus plutonius tytleri 

Lethe insana insana 

Teinopalpus imperialis 
imperialis 

Family Pieridae 

Aporia nabellica 

Lethe jalaurida 

Lethe kaubra 

Lethe Iatiaris latiaris 

Appias albina darada 

Lethe moelleri moelleri 

Appias indra shiva 

Lethe naga naga 

Appias lyncida latifasciata 

Lethe nicetella 

Appias wardi 

Baltia butleri butleri 

Cepora nadian remba 

Cepora nerissa dapha 

Lethe pulaha 

Lethe scanda 

Lethe serbonis 

Lethe siderca 

Colias eocandica hinducucica 

Lethe sinorix 

71 

 
Colias eogene 

Lethe tristigmata 

Colias ladakensis 

Lethe violaceudicta kanjupkula 

Colias stoliczkana miranda 

Lethe visrava 

Delias lativitta 

Dercas lycorias 

Lethe yama 

Maniola davendra davendra 

Euchloe charlonia Iucilla 

Melanitis zitanius 

Eurema andersoni ormistoni 

Mycalesis adamsoni 

Metaporia agathon 

Mycalesis anaxias 

Pieris deota 

Mycalesis botama chamka 

Pontia chloridice alipina 

Mycalesis heri 

Saletara panda Chrysaea 

Mycalesis lepcha bethami 

Valeria avatar avatar 

Mycalesis malsarida 

Mycalesis misenus 

Pararge macrula maefula 

Mycalesis mestra 

Ragadia crislda crito 

Mycalesis mystes 

Rhapicera sitricus kabrua 

Mycalesis suavolens 

Ypthima bolanica 

Neorina hilda 

Ypthima lycus lycus 

Neorina patria westwoodii 

Ypthima mathora mathora 

Oeneis buddha gurhwalica 

Ypthima similis affectata 

Parantirrhoea marshali 

Zipotis saitis] 

1[1-A. Civets (all species of Viverridae except Malabar civet).] 

1[1-B. Common fox (Vulpesbengalensis).] 

1[1-C. Flying squirrels (all species of the genera Bulopetes, Petaurista, Pelomys and Eupetaurus).] 

1[1-D. Giant squirrels (Ratufa indica, and Ratufabicolor).] 

1[2.Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos).] 

2[2-A. Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus).] 

1[2-B. Jackal (Canis aureus).] 

1. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

2. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

72 

 
 
 
                                                           
1[2-C. Jungle cat (Felis chaus).] 
1[2-D. Marmots (Marmota bobak himalayana, M. caudata).] 
1[2-E. Martens (Martes foria intermedia, Martes flovigule, Martes gwatkinsii).] 
1[(3.***] 
1[4. ***] 
4. Otters (Luthra, L. perspicillata). 
2[4-A. Pole cats (Vormela peregusna, Mustila putorius). 
[4-B. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes, vulpes Montana, vulpes griffithi).] 
3[***] 
2[5A. Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).] 
2[6. ***] 
2[7.Weasels (Mustela Sibirica, Mustela Kathian, Mustela Altaica).] 
2[8. Checkered keelback snake (Xenochrophis piscatar). 

9. Dhaman or rat snak (Plyas mucosus). 

10. Dog-faced water snake (Cerberus rhynchopi). 

11. Indian cobras (all sub-species belonging to genus Naja). 

12. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah). 

13. Oliveceous keel back (Artretium schistosum). 

14. Russel’s viper (Vipera ruselli). 

15. Varanus species (excluding yellow monitor lizard).] 
4[16. Mongooses (All species of genus Herpestes) 

17. Grey jungle fowl (Gallus sonnerati)] 

1. Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

2.  Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

3.  Entry  5  related  to  “Sloth  bear  (Melursus  ursinus)”  omitted  by  S.O.  3653(E),  dated  6th  December,  2013,  published  in  the 

Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), dated 12th December, 2013. 

4. Vide Notification No. S.O. 1085(E), dated 30th September, 2002, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), 

dated 11th October, 2002. 

73 

 
 
                                                           
SCHEDULE III 
(See secs. 2, 8,1[***]9, 11, and 61) 
2[***] 

3[1.***] 

2. Barking deer or muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak). 
2[3. ***] 
4[4. ***] 

5. Chital (Axix axis). 
4[6. ***] 

7. Gorals (Nemorhaedus goral, Nemorhaedus hodgsoni). 
4[8. ***] 
5[9. ***] 
4[10. ***] 
6[***] 

12. Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena). 
4[13. ***] 

14. Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus). 
4[15. ***] 

16. Sambar (Cervus unicolor). 
4[17. ***] 
4[18. ***] 

19. Wild pig (Sus scrofa). 
7[20. Sponges (All calcareans).] 

1. The figures “10” omitted byAct 44 of 1991, s. 50 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. The words “BIG GAME” omitted by s. 50, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
3.Vide Notification No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

4. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

5. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

6. Entry 11 related to “Hogdeer (Axis porcinus)” omitted by S.O. 3653(E), dated 6th December, 2013, published in the Gazette of 

India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), dated 12th December, 2013. 

7. Ins. Vide Notification No. F. 1-4/95 WL-I, dated 11th July, 2001. 

74 

 
 
                                                           
SCHEDULE IV 

(See secs. 2, 8, 9, 11 and 61) 
1[***] 

2[1. ***]  
3[1-A. ***] 
2[2. ***] 

3. *** 
3[3-A Five-striped palm squirrel (Funambulus pennanti).] 

4. Hares (Black Naped, Common Indian, Desert, Himalayan mouse hare). 
4[4-A. Hedge hog (Hemiechinus auritus).] 
5[4-B. ***] 
5[4-C. ***] 
5[4-D. ***] 
5[4-E. Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica).] 
5[5. ***] 
5[6. ***] 
6[6-A. ***] 
7[6-B. ***] 
7[7. ***] 
4[7-A. Pole cats (Vormela peregusna, Mustela putorius).] 
7[7-B ***] 

[8. ***] 
7[8-A. ***] 
5[9. ***] 
5[9-A. ***] 

10. *** 
3[11. Birds 3[(other than those which appear in other Schedules)]]: 

1. Avadavat (Estrildinae); 

2. Avocet (Recurvirostridae); 

1. The word “SMALL GAME” omitted by Act 44 of 1991, s. 51 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 
2. The word “BIG GAME” omitted by, s. 50, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1971). 
3. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

4. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 29th August, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, 

Sec. 3(i), p. 333, dated 3rd September, 1977. 

5. Vide Notificatio No. S.O. 859(E), dated 24th November, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 

24th November, 1986. 

6. Vide Notification No. S.O. 1085(E), dated 30th September, 2002, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), 

dated 11th October, 2002. 

7. Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31/76 FRY(WL), dated 5th October, 1977, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

75 

 
 
 
                                                           
3. Babblers (Timaliinae); 

4. Barbets (Capitonidae); 

5. Barnowls (Tytonknae); 

6. Bitterns (Ardeidae); 

7. Brown-headed gull (Larus brunnicephalus); 

8. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae). 

9. Buntings (Emberizidae). 

10. Bustorda (Otididae). 

11. Bustard-Qualis (Turnicidae). 

12. Chloropsis (Irendae). 

13. Comb duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos). 

14. Coots (Rallidae). 

15. Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae). 

16. Cranes (Gruidae). 

17. Cuckoos (Cuculidae). 

17-A Curlews (Scolopacinae). 

18. Darters (Phalacrocoracidae). 

19. Doves including the Emerald Dove (Columbidae). 

20. Drongos (Dicruridae). 

21. Duck (Anatidae). 

22. Egrets (Ardeidae). 

23. Fairy Blue Bird (Irenidae). 

24. Falcons (Falconidae), excepting the Shaheen and Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), the 
saker or churrug, shankghar and lagger falcons (F.biarmicus), and the refheaded merlin 
(F.chicquera). 

25. Finches including the chaffinch (Fringillidae). 

26. Falmingos (Phoenicopteridae). 

27. Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae). 

28. Flcatchers (Muscicapidae). 

29. Geese (Anatidae). 

30. Goldfinch and allies (Carduelinae). 

31. Grebes (Podicipididae). 

32. Gerons (Ardeidae). 

33. Ibises (Thereskiomithidae). 

34. Iorars (Irenidae). 

35. Jays (Corvidae). 

36. Jacanas (Jacanidae). 

36-A. Junglefowl (Phasianidae). 

76 

 
37. Kingfishers (Alcedinidae). 

38. Larks (Alaudidae). 

39. Lorikeets (Psittacidae). 

40. Magpies including the Hunting magpie (Corvidae). 

41. Mannikins (Estrildinae). 

42. Megapodes (Megapodidae). 

43. Minivets (Campephagidae). 

44. Munias (Estrildinae). 

45. Mynas (Sturnidae). 

46. Nightjara (Caprimulgidae). 

47. Orioles (Oriolidae). 

48. Owls (Strigidae). 

49. Oysteractchers (Haematopodidae). 

50. Parakeets (Psittacidae). 

51. Partridges (Phasianidae). 

52. Pelicans (Pelecandae). 

53. Pheasants (Phasianidae). 

54. Pigeons (Columbidae)except the Blue Rock Pigon (Columba livia). 

55. Pipits (Motacillidae). 

55-A. Pittas (Pittidae). 

56. Plovers (Charadriinae). 
1[57. Quails (Phasinidae)-except Coturnix japonica (Japanese Quails) of farm bred variety.] 

58. Rails (Rallidae). 

59. Rollers or Blue Jays (Coraciidae). 

60. Sandgrouses (Pteroclididae). 

61. Sandpipers (Scolopacinae). 

62. Snipes (Scolopacinae). 

63. Spurfowls (Phasianidae). 

64. Starlings (Sturnidae). 

65. Stone Curlew (Burhinidae). 

66. Storks (Ciconiidae). 

67. Stilts (Recurvirostridae). 

68. Sunbirds (Nectariniidae). 

69. Swans (Anatidae). 

70. Teals (Anatidae). 

71. Thurushes (Turadinae). 

1.  Subs.  by  S.O.  3653(E),dated  6th  December,  2013,  published  in  the  Gazette  of  IndiaExtra.,  Pt.  II,  Sec.  3(ii),  dated  12th 

December, 2013. 

77 

 
                                                           
72. Tits (Paridae). 

73. Tree pies (Corvidae). 

74. Trogons (Trogonidae). 

75. Vultures (Accipitridae). 

76. Waxbills (Extrildinae). 

77. Weaver Birds or Bayas (Ploceidae). 

78. White-eyes (Zosteropidesa). 

79. Woodpeckers (Picidae). 

80. Wrens (Troglodytidae). 

1[12. Snakes2[other than those species listed in Sch.I,Pt.II; and Sch.II, Pt.II]: 

(i) Amblycaphalidae 

(ii) Amilidae 

(iii) Boldae 

(iv) Colubridae 

(v) Dasypeptidae (Egg-eating snakes) 

(vi) Elapidae (Cobras, Kraits, and Coral Snakes) 

(vii) Glauconidae 

(viii) Hydrophidae (Fresh water and sea snakes) 

(ix) Tlyscidae 

(x) Leptotyphlopidae 

(xi) Typhlopidae 

(xii) Uropeltidae 

(xiii) Viperidae 

(xiv) Xenopeltidae.] 

1[13.Fresh Water Frogs (Rana spp.)] 

1[14. Three-keeled Turtle (Geocmydas tricarinata)] 

1[15.Tortoise (Testudinidae, Tryonychidae).] 

3[15A. Tokay geeko (Gekko geeko).] 

1[16.Viviparous toads (Nectophyrynoides sp.)] 

1[17. Voles] 

1. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980.  

2. Ins. by notification No. S.O. 859 (E), dated 24-11-1986, published in the Gazetted of India, Extra., pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 24th 

November, 1986. 

3. Ins. by Notification No. S.O. 3653(E), dated 6-12-2013, published in the Gazetted of India, Extra., pt. II, Sec. 3(ii), dated 12th 

December, 2013. 

78 

 
                                                           
1[18. Butterflies and Moths] 

Family Danaidae 

Euploca core simulatrix 

Euploca crassa 

Euploca dioeletianus ramsahai 

Euploca mulciber 

Family Hesperiidae 

Baoris farri 

Hasora vitta 

Hyarotic adrastus 

Oriens concinna 

Pelopidas assamensis 

Pelopidas sinensis 

Polytrema discreta 

Polytrema rubricans 

Thoressa horiorei 

Family Lycaenidae 

Tarucus ananda 

Family Nymphalidae 

Eiuthalia lubentina 

Family Pigeridae 

Aporia agathon ariaca 

Appians libythea 

Appiasnero galba 

Prioneris sita 

2[19. Mollusca 

(i) Cypraea lamacina 

(ii) Cypraea mappa 

(iii) Cypraea talpa 

(iv) Fasciolaria trapezium 

(v) Harpulina arausiaca 

(vi) Lambis chiragra 

(vii) Lambis chiragra arthritica 

(viii) Lambis crocea 

(ix) Lambis millepeda 

1. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

2.  Added  by  notification  No.  S.O.  1197(E),  dated  5-12-2001  (w.e.f.  6-12-2001)  and  corrected  by  S.O.  233(E),  dated  19th 

February, 2002. 

79 

 
                                                           
(x) Lambis scorpius 

(xi) Lambis truncate 

(xii) Placenta placenta 

(xiii) Strombus plicatus sibbaldi 

(xiv) Trochus niloticus 

(xv) Turbo marmoratus.] 

1[(20) Horeshoe Crabs (Tachypleaus gigas and Carcinoscopius rotundicauda).] 

1. Ins. by Notification No. S.O. 2293 (E), dated 4th September, 2009 (w.e.f. 9-9-2009). 

80 

 
 
                                                           
SCHEDULE V 

(See section 2, 8, 61, and 62) 

1. Common crow 
1[2. ***] 

3. Fruit bats 
1[4. ***] 

5. Mice 

6. Rats 
2[7. ***] 

1.  Vide  Notification  No. FJ  11012/31/76  FRY(WL),  dated  5th  October, 1977,  published  in  the  Gazette  of  India,  Extra., Pt.  II, 

Section 3(i), p.385, dated 5th October, 1977. 

2. Vide Notification No. F1-28/78 FRY(WL), dated 9th September, 1980, Published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Section 

3(i), p. 431, dated 2nd October, 1980. 

81 

 
 
                                                           
1[SCHEDULE VI 

(See section 2) 

1. Beddomes’ cycad (Cycas beddomei). 

2. Blue Vanda (Vanda eoerulea). 

3. Kuth (Saussurea costus). 

4. Ladies slipper orchids (Paphiopedilium spp.). 

5. Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana). 

6. Red Vanda (Rananthera imschootiana).] 

1. Ins. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 52 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991). 

82 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
