Kohima, January 8 (MExN): The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (as Amended in 2002) is applicable to the state of Nagaland. The Act adopts a two-pronged conservation strategy – specified endangered species are to be protected regardless of location and all species are to be protected. According to the department of Forests, Ecology, Environment & Wildlife, the object of the Act is to arrest the rapid decline and provide protection to the wildlife population. The Act also strives to regulating hunting of wild animals and birds (Chapter-III). Procedure for declaring areas as sanctuaries and national parks are prescribed in Chapter-IV. There is prohibition on hunting of all animals as mentioned in Schedule I-IV. The Act also regulates trade in wild animals, animal articles, trophies and subject to provision of Chapter- V (A), prohibits dealing therein without a license. Further, through an Amendment Bill 2002, the amended Act proposed two new categories of Protected Areas i.e conservation reserves and community reserves.
