Deadline for declaring and registering exotic animals listed under Schedule IV

Deadline for declaring and registering exotic animals listed under Schedule IV

Context:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has set a deadline of 28th August 2024 for declaring and registering exotic animals listed under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The registration must be done through the PARIVESH 2.0 portal. This follows the notification of the Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, issued on 28th February 2024.

Relevance:
GS-03 (Conservation)

Key Highlights:

• Deadline for Registration:
  • The last date for declaring and registering exotic animal species listed under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, is 28th August 2024.
  • The registration is to be completed through the PARIVESH 2.0 portal.
• Notification of Rules:
  • The Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, were notified by the MoEFCC via Gazette Notification on 28th February 2024.
  • Under these rules, individuals, organizations, and zoos in possession of any living specimen of exotic species listed in Schedule IV are required to report and register these animals.
• Registration Process:
  • The details of such exotic animals must be reported electronically through the PARIVESH 2.0 portal.
  • The application for registration must be submitted to the Chief Wild Life Warden of the concerned State within six months from the date of the gazette notification or within thirty days of acquiring such an animal species.
• Legal Compliance: The six-month reporting period concludes on 28th August 2024. Non-compliance with these rules may lead to penal actions.

Significance:

• Regulation of Exotic Species: This initiative by the MoEFCC aims to regulate and monitor the possession of exotic species in India, ensuring that these animals are accounted for and managed within legal frameworks.
• Conservation Efforts: The registration of exotic species under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, is a significant step towards conserving and protecting India’s biodiversity by preventing illegal trade and ensuring proper management of these species.
• Legal Awareness and Compliance: The notification serves as a critical reminder for individuals and organizations to comply with wildlife protection laws, fostering a culture of legal awareness and responsibility towards wildlife conservation.
• Strengthening Wildlife Management: The use of the PARIVESH 2.0 portal for registration demonstrates the government’s commitment to leveraging digital platforms for efficient and transparent wildlife management, enhancing the overall effectiveness of conservation efforts in the country.

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: 

• Legal Framework for Wildlife Protection:
  • The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, provides a comprehensive legal structure for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants in India.
  • It governs the management of wildlife habitats and the regulation of trade in wild animals, plants, and products derived from them.
  • The Act includes schedules that classify plants and animals based on the degree of protection they require.
• Facilitation of CITES Membership: India’s entry into the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was streamlined due to the provisions of the Wildlife Act.
• Coverage Expansion to Jammu & Kashmir: Originally, Jammu and Kashmir were not under the purview of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. However, following the reorganization of the state, the Act now applies to the region.

Constitutional Provisions Supporting Wildlife Protection

• 42nd Amendment Act, 1976: This amendment moved “Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds” from the State List to the Concurrent List, allowing both the Centre and the States to legislate on these matters.
• Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(g)): Article 51A(g) mandates that it is every citizen’s fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests and wildlife.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 48A): Article 48A directs the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

Schedules Under the Wildlife Act

Schedule I:

• Endangered Species: Covers species requiring strict protection.
• Penalties: Violations result in the harshest penalties.
• Hunting Prohibition: Hunting is banned except in cases of threat to human life or incurable disease.
• Examples: Black Buck, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Asiatic Cheetah.

Schedule II:

• High Protection: Species are protected with trade prohibitions.
• Examples: Assamese Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Cobra.

Schedule III & IV:

• Protected Species: Includes species that are not endangered but still protected with lesser penalties for violations.
• Schedule III Examples: Chital (spotted deer), Bharal (blue sheep), Hyena, Sambhar (deer).
• Schedule IV Examples: Flamingo, Hares, Falcons, Kingfishers, Magpie, Horseshoe Crabs.

Schedule V:

• Vermin Species: Animals classified as vermin, which can be hunted.
• Examples: Common Crows, Fruit Bats, Rats, Mice.

Schedule VI:

• Regulated Plants: Governs the cultivation and trade of specified plants, which require prior permission from the competent authority.
• Protected Plants: Beddomes’ cycad, Blue Vanda (Orchid), Red Vanda (Orchid), Kuth, Slipper orchids, Pitcher plant.