Environment & Ecology·Environmental Laws
Biodiversity — Environmental Laws
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Version 1Updated 9 Mar 2026
| Entry | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 | 2022 | This amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was enacted to enhance the protection of wild animals and plants and to align India's domestic legislation with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It rationalized the schedules for protected species, introduced provisions for the management of invasive alien species, and strengthened penalties for wildlife crimes. It also introduced a new chapter on the regulation of international trade in endangered species, streamlining the CITES permit system. | Strengthened legal framework for wildlife protection and CITES implementation. Rationalized species schedules for better management. Enhanced penalties aim to deter wildlife crime. Provisions for invasive species management address a critical threat to biodiversity. |
| Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 | 2023 | This amendment to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, aimed to clarify the applicability of the Act to various lands, including those recorded as forests but not notified, and to exempt certain categories of land from its purview for strategic and developmental projects. It also introduced provisions for compensatory afforestation and allowed for the establishment of zoos and safaris on forest land. The amendment sought to balance conservation with developmental needs, particularly for national security and public utility projects. | Generated debate regarding its potential impact on forest cover and biodiversity protection by narrowing the scope of the original Act. Facilitates faster clearances for certain projects but raises concerns about the dilution of forest protection norms, especially for unrecorded forests and private forest lands, potentially impacting biodiversity in these areas. |