Why in the News?

Many individuals, organizations, and zoos in India currently possess living specimens of exotic animal species listed under Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- These exotic species must be reported and registered as mandated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the PARIVESH 2.0 Portal.

Legal Framework for Reporting of Animals in Possession

The Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, were notified under Section 49 M of the Wild Life (Protection) Act via a Gazette Notification on February 28, 2024.
Who Must Register: Any person or entity in possession of a living specimen of species listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Failure to report and register these species within the stipulated time frame may result in penal actions.

	Details
Protection Level	Provides legal protection to species, prohibiting their hunting, capture, or trade. Protection is less stringent compared to Schedules I & II.
Offenses and Penalties	Violations can lead to fines and imprisonment, but penalties are generally less severe than those for species in higher schedules.
New Amendment (2022)	The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, inserted a new Schedule IV for specimens listed in the CITES Appendices.
Examples of Species	Flamingos, Hares, Falcons, Kingfishers, Magpie, and Horseshoe Crabs.
Purpose	Ensures legal protection to prevent exploitation and population decline of species that are not critically endangered but still need protection.
General Protection Role	Plays an important role in broader conservation efforts, offering safeguards to a wider range of species in India.

[2020] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?

(a) A licence in required to cultivate that plant.

(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.

(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.