Indian & World Geography·Policy Changes
Conservation Strategies — Policy Changes
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Version 1Updated 7 Mar 2026
| Entry | Year | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 | 2022 | Amended the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to align with CITES, rationalise schedules, and enhance protection. It reduced the number of schedules from six to four, simplified the management of protected areas, and introduced provisions for the designation of a 'management authority' for CITES implementation. | Strengthened legal provisions against illegal wildlife trade, streamlined the classification of protected species, and enhanced India's compliance with international obligations under CITES. However, it also raised concerns regarding potential dilution of protection for some species by reducing schedules and granting more power to the Central Government. |
| Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 | 2023 | Amended the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to clarify its applicability to certain lands. It exempted lands within 100 km of India's border for national security projects, linear projects like roads and railways, and certain eco-tourism facilities from requiring prior central government approval for diversion. | Aimed to expedite infrastructure development and national security projects in specific areas. Critics argue it could potentially dilute forest protection in ecologically sensitive border regions and facilitate diversion of forest land without adequate scrutiny, impacting biodiversity and tribal rights. Proponents emphasize its role in balancing development with conservation. |
| Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (passed 2023) | 2023 | Amended the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, to decriminalize certain offenses, encourage Indian traditional medicine practitioners, and facilitate research and patenting processes related to biological resources. It also aimed to simplify access and benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms. | Sought to promote ease of doing business and encourage research in traditional medicine, potentially boosting the bio-economy. Concerns were raised by environmental groups about potential dilution of the ABS mechanism and reduced oversight by Biodiversity Management Committees, which could impact local communities' rights over biological resources. |