Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022

The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 incorporates the regulation of international trade under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, into Indian wildlife law. It regulates listed specimens through designated authorities, trade permits, registration, reporting and identification requirements.

Statutory framework

The amendment inserted Chapter VB into the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Species covered by the CITES Appendices are placed in Schedule IV, while a “scheduled specimen” means a specimen of a species listed in that Schedule.

• For this chapter, trade covers import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea.
• The Central Government designates a Management Authority and one or more institutions as Scientific Authorities.

Control of international trade

The Management Authority grants permits or certificates for trade in scheduled specimens in accordance with CITES and prescribed conditions. The Scientific Authority advises on matters such as whether the proposed trade would be detrimental to the survival of the species.

• A person trading in a scheduled specimen must report the transaction details to the Management Authority or an authorised officer.
• The Authority can require a specimen to carry an identification mark, which cannot lawfully be altered or removed.
• Permits or certificates may be cancelled when specimens are traded contrary to their conditions or the law.

Possession and traceability of live specimens

A person possessing a live specimen of an animal species in Schedule IV must report it and obtain registration under the prescribed procedure. These requirements create a traceable record linking possession and transfers to lawful acquisition.

• The transfer of a registered live specimen must be reported to the competent authority.
• The birth of offspring and the death of a registered specimen must also be reported.
• The registration and record system helps distinguish lawful captive possession from specimens entering through illegal wildlife trade.