The short and sweet answer to your question is Yes, hunting is legal in India, but not as you might think. You can’t just go ahead and kill any wild animal, it doesn’t work like that. First of all, there is a specific license you must acquire for hunting in India, and still, there are many strict rules and regulations to follow. Let’s talk about that, shall we?
A law by the name of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 protects animals and plants in India. It makes it an offense to hunt, catch, or kill most wild animals. This is very important as it keeps the many kinds of animals and plants of India, ensuring that they continue to live across the country.
Exceptions to the Hunting Ban
But the thing is, it’s not that hunting is always illegal in actual life. The Indian government has given permission, but only in some special cases. Scientific studies, if the wild animal is in larger numbers and hence required for scientific studies. Controlling the number of wild animals in case of overpopulation, or if the wild animal is hazardous to the people and their property, you are allowed to hunt them under certain regulations. You will need a special license from the government for this. It would seem then that these are the exceptions helping to strike a balance between the needs of the people and the necessity of protecting animals.
What Are The Penalties for Illegal Hunting In India?
If someone hunts without such a license, they may be given harsh punishment. People who break the Wildlife Protection Act might have to pay big fines or go to jail. The punishment depends on how serious the crime is. The law is there to stop people from hurting wildlife and to encourage them to follow animal protection rules.
The law also provides that wild animals sometimes become injurious to crops or human beings. In view of this, the law provides that sometimes animals injurious to crops or humans are hunted legally by people. These animals are called vermin, and killing them does not lead to punishment. This rule helps prevent losses for farmers and keeps people safe, while also trying to disturb the environment as little as possible.
All in all, India goes a long way in protecting wildlife. The number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India, where hunting is totally forbidden, is restricted and prohibited on an immense number of counts.
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