With reference to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, consider the following statements: 1. The Act prohibited the publication of any list of protected species. 2. The primary thrust was to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting. 3. It gave full legal protection against hunting to the Indian elephant and the snow leopard in the initial 1972 draft itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only Explanation The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is a landmark legislation enacted to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto. It establishes a framework for wildlife conservation and management in India. Statement-wise Analysis 1. Statement 1: The Act prohibited the publication of any list of protected species. Incorrect. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, specifically provides for the creation and publication of schedules listing protected species. These schedules (I to VI) categorize species based on their conservation status, with Schedule I offering the highest level of protection. The Act's purpose is to identify and protect species, which necessitates listing them. 2. Statement 2: The primary thrust was to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting. Correct. A central objective of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, was to curb the rampant hunting of wild animals, which had led to a significant decline in their populations, particularly endangered species. The Act introduced stringent prohibitions on hunting and provided for penalties for violations, thereby aiming to conserve the remaining wildlife. 3. Statement 3: It gave full legal protection against hunting to the Indian elephant and the snow leopard in the initial 1972 draft itself. Incorrect. While the Indian elephant and snow leopard are indeed highly protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, their inclusion in Schedule I (providing absolute protection) was not necessarily in the initial 1972 draft itself for all species. The schedules have been amended and updated over time to include or reclassify species based on their conservation status. The Act provided a framework for protection, and specific species were listed in schedules, which have seen revisions. For instance, the snow leopard was added to Schedule I in 1977. Key Takeaway The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, primarily aimed to protect endangered species by prohibiting hunting and establishing a framework for their conservation through scheduled listings.

NCERT Class 10 Geography — Chapter 1: Forest and Wildlife Resources

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With reference to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, consider the following statements:

The Act prohibited the publication of any list of protected species.
The primary thrust was to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting.
It gave full legal protection against hunting to the Indian elephant and the snow leopard in the initial 1972 draft itself.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 2 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 only

Explanation

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is a landmark legislation enacted to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and for matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto. It establishes a framework for wildlife conservation and management in India.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1: The Act prohibited the publication of any list of protected species.
Incorrect. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, specifically provides for the creation and publication of schedules listing protected species. These schedules (I to VI) categorize species based on their conservation status, with Schedule I offering the highest level of protection. The Act's purpose is to identify and protect species, which necessitates listing them.
Statement 2: The primary thrust was to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting.
Correct. A central objective of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, was to curb the rampant hunting of wild animals, which had led to a significant decline in their populations, particularly endangered species. The Act introduced stringent prohibitions on hunting and provided for penalties for violations, thereby aiming to conserve the remaining wildlife.
Statement 3: It gave full legal protection against hunting to the Indian elephant and the snow leopard in the initial 1972 draft itself.
Incorrect. While the Indian elephant and snow leopard are indeed highly protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, their inclusion in Schedule I (providing absolute protection) was not necessarily in the initial 1972 draft itself for all species. The schedules have been amended and updated over time to include or reclassify species based on their conservation status. The Act provided a framework for protection, and specific species were listed in schedules, which have seen revisions. For instance, the snow leopard was added to Schedule I in 1977.

Key Takeaway

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, primarily aimed to protect endangered species by prohibiting hunting and establishing a framework for their conservation through scheduled listings.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Forest and Wildlife Resources

With reference to the 'Bishnoi' community in Rajasthan, consider the following statements: 1. They are an agricultural community inhabiting the western parts of Rajasthan. 2. They consider the blackbuck to be a pest and actively hunt it. 3. They actively protect wildlife around their villages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the 'Project Tiger' reserves: 1. Corbett National Park is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. 2. Bandhavgarh National Park is in Madhya Pradesh. 3. Manas Tiger Reserve is located in Assam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding 'Project Tiger': 1. It viewed tiger conservation solely as an effort to save an endangered species. 2. It was launched in 1973. 3. India and Nepal provide habitat to less than 10 % of the surviving tiger population in the world. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the conservation of forests and wildlife in India: 1. Conservation preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth of species and breeding. 2. Fisheries production is independent of the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity. 3. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972 to provide legal protection to habitats and ban hunting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Which of the following were identified as major threats to the tiger population in India? 1. Shrinking habitat 2. Depletion of prey base species 3. Use of tiger bones in traditional medicines 4. Increase in the population of prey base species Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

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The correct option is 2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1: The Act prohibited the publication of any list of protected species.
Incorrect. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, specifically provides for the creation and publication of schedules listing protected species. These schedules (I to VI) categorize species based on their conservation status, with Schedule I offering the highest level of protection. The Act's purpose is to identify and protect species, which necessitates listing them.
Statement 2: The primary thrust was to protect the remaining population of endangered species by banning hunting.
Correct. A central objective of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, was to curb the rampant hunting of wild animals, which had led to a significant decline in their populations, particularly endangered species. The Act introduced stringent prohibitions on hunting and provided for penalties for violations, thereby aiming to conserve the remaining wildlife.
Statement 3: It gave full legal protection against hunting to the Indian elephant and the snow leopard in the initial 1972 draft itself.
Incorrect. While the Indian elephant and snow leopard are indeed highly protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, their inclusion in Schedule I (providing absolute protection) was not necessarily in the initial 1972 draft itself for all species. The schedules have been amended and updated over time to include or reclassify species based on their conservation status. The Act provided a framework for protection, and specific species were listed in schedules, which have seen revisions. For instance, the snow leopard was added to Schedule I in 1977.

Key Takeaway

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, primarily aimed to protect endangered species by prohibiting hunting and establishing a framework for their conservation through scheduled listings.