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 ?
Show answer
Answer: B. Statement 1 is wrong: Section 39 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 makes only certain wild animals (for example those hunted or found dead) government property, not all wild animals. Statement 2 is correct: a protected animal gets the same protection inside or outside protected areas. Statement 3 is wrong: under Section 11 the animal must actually have become dangerous, and only the Chief Wildlife Warden can permit its capture or killing; mere apprehension is not enough. So 2 only.
Watch for: Statement 3 sounds sensible for human safety, but the Act requires a real threat and official permission.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because not all wild animals are government property.
- C. Wrong because statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.
- D. Wrong because mere apprehension is not sufficient ground under the Act.
Source to check: Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Sections 9, 11 and 39
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.