According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

All three are protected against hunting except as the law allows.

Statement by statement

1. ✓ YES The gharial is in Schedule I.

2. ✓ YES The Indian wild ass is in Schedule I.

3. ✓ YES The wild buffalo is in Schedule I.

The idea

The Act bans hunting of every wild animal listed in its schedules. The phrase “except under some provisions provided by law” points to the two exceptions written in the Act itself.

Section 9: no hunting of scheduled animals → Exception 1 (Section 11): the animal has become dangerous to human life, or is diseased beyond recovery; or in self-defence → Exception 2 (Section 12): permit for education, research or scientific management

Also know

“Hunting” in the Act is wide: it covers killing, capturing, trapping, and even damaging eggs or nests. Gharial: Critically Endangered, mainly in the Chambal. Indian wild ass: Little Rann of Kutch. Wild buffalo: Endangered, mainly Assam, with a small group in Chhattisgarh, where it is the State animal.