In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protectio

Question

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

Accepted Answer

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto. It extends to the whole of India, except the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which has its own wildlife act.The Act has six schedules which give varying degrees of protection:Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection - offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted.Therefore, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I, it enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.Source: NCERT: Contemporary India II, Chapter 2 Forest and Wildlife Resources