WPA 1972 Amendment Law

The state of Kerala has formally requested the Union Government for a WPA 1972 amendment to permit the controlled killing of wild animals that pose a threat to human life or agriculture. This proposal comes amid rising human-wildlife conflicts, especially in rural areas across the state.

Kerala’s plea emphasizes the need to balance wildlife protection with farmer safety, highlighting real-world limitations in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Understanding the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is the cornerstone of wildlife conservation law in India, designed to protect wild animals, birds, plants, and their natural habitats.

However, the WPA 1972 amendment proposal sheds light on its implementation challenges, especially during emergencies.

Key Features of WPA 1972:

• Provides legal wildlife hunting provisions in India only under rare, tightly regulated circumstances.

• Categorizes species under different schedules based on the degree of protection needed.

• Aims to prevent poaching, maintain ecological balance, and protect biodiversity.

Problems That Prompted the WPA 1972 Amendment Request

1. Delayed Emergency Intervention

• Current rules, particularly those around Schedule I animal protection in India, require bureaucratic approval before action is taken.

• This delay can lead to fatal attacks on humans or destruction of crops, as seen in cases involving bonnet macaques in Kerala.

2. Judicial Restrictions

• While district collectors can declare animals a public nuisance, court interventions often stall their actions.

• The lack of swift response mechanisms has led to serious concerns, prompting the need for a WPA 1972 amendment.

Key Legal Provisions in WPA 1972

• Section 9:

  • Bans the hunting of animals listed in Schedules I–IV, unless exceptions apply.

• Section 11 (Wildlife Act Section 11 Explained):

  • Permits killing by order of the Chief Wildlife Warden if the animal:

    • Threatens human life

    • Is incurably diseased

    • Cannot be captured or relocated safely

• Section 62 (WPA Amendment on Vermin Animals):

  • Empowers the Central Government to declare certain animals as vermin,  excluding Schedule I species, for a specific area and time.

  • Kerala demands streamlining this clause under the WPA 1972 amendment for faster action.

Wildlife Protection Act Changes 2022

The Wildlife Protection Act changes 2022 introduced significant structural reforms to modernize the law and address conservation gaps.

Major Changes:

• WPA 1972 revised schedules: Reduced from six to four.

  • Schedule I: Maximum protection

  • Schedule II: Lesser protection

  • Schedule III: Protected plants

  • Schedule IV: Species under CITES

• Recognized international wildlife trade through the CITES listing

• Improved categorization of endangered and vulnerable species

Though these reforms aimed to simplify the law, the current demand for a WPA 1972 amendment shows that field-level policy gaps still need attention.

Kerala’s Wildlife Conflict Policy and Its Demands

The Kerala wildlife conflict policy emphasizes the coexistence of humans and wild animals. However, repeated incidents of crop damage and fatalities have led the state to call for a WPA 1972 amendment.

Kerala’s Key Demands:

• Fast-track process for declaring species as vermin

• Empowering local authorities for on-ground decision-making

• Decentralized management involving district-level officials

• A modern framework for wildlife law reforms in India

This push aims to ensure that wildlife conservation does not come at the cost of human safety or agricultural stability.

Static GK Recap – SSC Exam-Oriented

Why the WPA 1972 Amendment Matters for SSC Exams

• Frequently featured in Environment & Ecology sections

• Important for Polity, Legal Framework, and Current Affairs

• Expected in exams like SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, and SSC MTS

What to Focus On:

• Sections 11 and 62

• WPA 1972 revised schedules

• The purpose and impact of the WPA 1972 amendment

• India’s stance on wildlife conservation and law reforms

Final Thoughts

The call for a WPA 1972 amendment by Kerala highlights a growing concern—the conflict between wildlife protection and human safety.

While the Wildlife Protection Act changes 2022 modernized several aspects of the law, real-world application challenges remain.

For SSC aspirants, understanding the WPA 1972 amendment, its related provisions, and policy implications is critical. This topic offers valuable insights into Indian wildlife law, federal structure, and current affairs, making it a must-read for exam preparation.