With reference to Indian laws about Wildlife Protection, Consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements:

1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 only

c) 1 and 3

d) 3 only

Correct Answer: Option a) 1 and 2

Learn more about the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 in the given explanation below.

Explanation:

According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, wild animals are the property of the Government (State or Central). In 2012, in a significant verdict, the Bombay High Court ruled that wild animals including tigers should be treated as government property for all purposes and any damage caused by them should be compensated by the Government. So, statement 1 is correct.

Indian Laws on Wildlife Protection

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, does not discriminate between animals found in protected areas and outside. It provides for equal protection for wild animals irrespective of where they are found. So, statement 2 is correct.
• Just the apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is not a sufficient ground for its capture or killing. Only if the wild animal becomes a danger to human life or is diseased or disabled beyond recovery can it be allowed to be captured or killed by the competent authority i.e., the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State.So, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

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