UPSC Prelims 2017 Q91: Environment & Ecology – Environmental Governance & Legislation
In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
- (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
- (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
- (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.
- (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
Answer: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
Explanation
Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
Schedule I gives the highest level of legal protection.
Every species in it is protected equally, whether a tiger or a tortoise.
| What Schedule I means | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hunting | Prohibited (Section 9) |
| Trade | Banned |
| Penalty | The highest under the Act |
What Schedule I does not mean:
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Same level of protection as the tiger | Correct | The tiger is also a Schedule I animal |
| (b) No longer exists in the wild; extinction cannot be prevented | Incorrect | That is an IUCN category (Extinct in the Wild), not a legal schedule |
| (c) Endemic to a particular region of India | Incorrect | Listing does not depend on endemism |
| (d) Both (b) and (c) | Incorrect | Neither holds |
Answer: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. A Schedule I species of tortoise gets the same protection as the tiger.
- (b) Incorrect. Schedule I says nothing about a species being extinct in the wild.
- (c) Incorrect. A protected species need not be endemic to a particular region.
- (d) Incorrect. Neither (b) nor (c) follows from a Schedule I listing.
Key point
Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 = highest legal protection; hunting and trade banned; same status for every listed species.
Remember
Schedule I = protection equal to the tiger.
Common mistakes
- Confusing a legal schedule with an IUCN Red List category.
- Assuming only large mammals can have top protection.
- Thinking protected status means the species is endemic or nearly extinct.
Exam tip
Schedules = law (India); Red List = conservation status (IUCN). Keep them apart.
Sources
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 — Section 9 and Schedule I
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — Wildlife Division