This edition of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 presents the updated bare text of India’s principal legislation for the protection, conservation, and management of wild animals, birds, and plants. Enacted as Act 53 of 1972, the Act is reproduced in this volume as amended by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 (Act No. 18 of 2022), brought into force with effect from 1 April 2023, ensuring full statutory accuracy as applicable for 2026.

The book provides a comprehensive compilation of the Act along with all allied rules, regulations, notifications, and guidelines notified thereunder. It includes, inter alia, the Wild Life (Protection) Rules, 1995; rules relating to specified plants, taxidermy, trade and transport of wildlife articles; constitution and functioning of the National Board for Wild Life and State Boards; declaration and management of sanctuaries, national parks, conservation reserves, and community reserves; and provisions concerning wildlife crime control, licensing, seizures, penalties, and adjudication. The volume also incorporates rules and notifications relating to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Project Tiger, wildlife conservation authorities, and recent regulatory frameworks governing trade, possession, and conservation measures.

Presented as a bare act with short comments, the text faithfully reproduces the statutory provisions without extensive interpretation, making it particularly suitable for examination purposes and precise legal referencing.

This edition is especially useful for law students, judicial services aspirants, advocates, environmental law practitioners, forest and wildlife officials, academicians, and policy professionals. By consolidating the principal Act with all relevant subordinate legislation in force, this volume serves as an authoritative and up-to-date legal reference on wildlife protection law in India.