The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, was enacted to protect wild animals, birds, and plants. Over time, the Act has been amended to expand the list of protected species, incorporating various invertebrates and flora into its Schedules.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Insects were brought under the purview of the Wildlife (Protection) Act before plants.
1 and 3 only
significant number of insects, including butterflies, moths, and beetles, were added to the list of protected species through government notifications in 1980 and 1986. Plants were subsequently added via the 1991 Amendment.Statement 2 is Correct: The notifications issued in 1980 and 1986 did not remove butterflies and moths; rather, they added several species of butterflies, moths, and beetles to the Schedules of the Act, thereby granting them legal protection. Prior to this, the Act primarily focused on larger vertebrate animals.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Plants have been added to the list of protected species. The 1991 Amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act introduced a new Chapter IIIA titled Protection of Specified Plants and added Schedule VI, which lists protected plant species such as the Blue Vanda, Red Vanda, Kuth, and Pitcher Plant.
Key Takeaway: Insects were included in the protected list of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in the 1980s, whereas specific plant species were accorded protection later through the 1991 Amendment (Schedule VI).