The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for conservation, protection and management of wildlife. The Act regulates hunting of wild animals, provides for declaration of Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves and also for penalties for violation of the provisions of the Act.

The Ministry provides the financial assistance to States and Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, of ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’ which aims at conservation and protection of wildlife and improvement of its habitats.

These schemes support activities like  removal of invasive species, creation of water holes, grassland management, maintenance of fire lines, soil and moisture conservation works, establishment and maintenance of anti-poaching camps, patrolling squads, improved wireless communication, wildlife veterinary care, use of technology like camera traps, drones, e-surveillance etc. for monitoring of wild animals, detecting illegal intrusions,early warning system in relaying information to quick reaction teams in the field for managing human wildlife conflict, eco-development activities involving communities.

Conservation of flagship species such as Tiger, Elephant,  Dolphin etc are implemented in  project mode  like Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Lion, Project Snow Leopard, Project Dolphin. Under a species specific component ‘Recovery programme for saving critically endangered species and habitats’, States and Union Territories are assisted for focused conservation action on identified 24 critically endangered species.

The population assessment of wild animals is carried out by the respective States and Union Territories from time to time. The population assessment of the identified flagship species are carried out at National level. The first ever scientific assessment of the snow leopards and river dolphin have indicated a population of 718 snow leopards and 6327 river dolphins in the country. The tiger population has shown increase as per the All India Tiger Estimation done in 2022, with an estimated number of 3682 (range 3167-3925) as compared to the 2018 estimation of 2967 (range 2603-3346). Further, as per ‘Status of Leopards in India- 2022’ report, leopard population in country is estimated at 13,874 (Range: 12,616 – 15,132) individuals, in comparison to 12852 (12,172-13,535) individuals as per 2018 report.

Further, with a view to protecting, propagating and developing wildlife a network of Protected Areas have been created in the country. The number of Protected Areas have increased from 981 in 2020 to 1134 in 2025. Similarly, the Tiger Reserves have increased from 50 to 58 and Elephant Reserves have increased from 30 to 33 during the same period. In addition, for maintaining the ecological connectivity, 32 tiger corridors and 150 Elephant corridors have been identified. The Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) exercise for the National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and Elephant Reserves, have also been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of management.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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VM/GS/SK

(Rajya Sabha US Q691)

 

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