Wildlife Protection

The Indian Board for Wildlife was established in 1952. It was among the early national bodies that provided policy advice on wildlife conservation in India. The close distractor, 1972, is associated with the Wildlife (Protection) Act, not with the establishment of the Board. Exam tip: Remember 1952 for the Indian Board for Wildlife and 1972 for the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in India in 1972. It provides a legal framework for protecting wild animals, birds, plants, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 1973 is associated with the launch of Project Tiger, not with the enactment of this Act. Exam tip: Remember Wildlife Protection Act—1972; Project Tiger—1973.

Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in 1973 to conserve tigers and protect their natural habitats. While the Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972, Project Tiger itself began in 1973. Exam tip: remember 1972 for the Wildlife (Protection) Act and 1973 for Project Tiger.

Project Elephant was launched by the Government of India in 1992. It focuses on conserving Asian elephants, their habitats and elephant corridors, and reducing human-elephant conflict. The year 1991 is not the launch year of this project. Exam tip: Remember Project Elephant—1992 alongside Project Tiger—1973.

The revised second National Wildlife Action Plan covered 2002–2016. It focused on strengthening habitat conservation, protection of threatened species, and management of protected areas. 1983–2001 was the period of the first plan, while 2017–2031 relates to the subsequent plan. Exam tip: Remember the sequence of plan periods: 1983–2001, 2002–2016, and 2017–2031.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established in 2006 following an amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It strengthens tiger conservation and the implementation of Project Tiger. Although the Tiger Task Force report came in 2005, NTCA was established in 2006. Exam tip: Remember NTCA with Project Tiger and the year 2006.

Project Dolphin was announced in 2020. It aims to strengthen the conservation of riverine and marine dolphins in India. Although 2018 may seem plausible, the project was not announced that year. Exam tip: remember Project Dolphin with the Independence Day announcement of 2020.

Under Project Cheetah, eight African cheetahs brought from Namibia were released in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on 17 September 2022. Therefore, 2022 is correct. Another group of cheetahs arrived from South Africa in 2023, but the reintroduction programme began in 2022. Exam tip: Remember 2022 with Project Cheetah and Kuno National Park.

Project Crocodile was launched in India in 1975. It aimed to conserve threatened crocodilian species, including gharial, mugger and saltwater crocodile, along with their habitats. 1973 is a close distractor because it is associated with the launch of Project Tiger, not Project Crocodile. Exam tip: Remember the pair—Project Tiger: 1973; Project Crocodile: 1975.

Organised crocodile conservation and captive-breeding efforts gained momentum in India during the 1970s. Project Crocodile was launched in this period to protect declining populations of gharial, mugger and saltwater crocodile. The 1960s did not have such a broad national programme. Exam tip: associate Project Crocodile with the 1970s.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) was established in 1961. The organisation works for the conservation of wildlife, natural habitats, and biodiversity. Although 1972 is an important year in environmental history because of the Stockholm Conference, WWF had been founded earlier. Exam tip: Associate 1961 with WWF and wildlife conservation.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was adopted on 3 March 1973 in Washington, D.C. It aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The Stockholm Conference was held in 1972, but CITES itself was adopted in 1973. Exam tip: remember that CITES was adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975.

India acceded to CITES in 1976. CITES regulates international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora; it does not impose a complete ban on every form of wildlife trade. The year 1973 refers to the adoption of the Convention, not India’s accession. Exam tip: remember CITES—India: 1976.

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve was declared in 1988. It is located in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya and is known for its rich biodiversity, particularly wild citrus species. The year 1986 is more closely associated with the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Exam tip: Remember the link Nokrek—Meghalaya—1988.

Project Snow Leopard was launched by the Government of India in 2009. It focuses on conserving the snow leopard and its habitat in the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem. Although 2014 may be associated with other environmental initiatives, it was not the launch year of this project. Exam tip: Remember snow leopard conservation with Himalayan ecology and the year 2009.

Project Sea Turtle was launched in India in 1999. It focused on conserving sea turtles, especially Olive Ridley turtles, and their coastal habitats. Later dates such as 2002 do not refer to the launch year of this project. Exam tip: Remember environment projects along with their launch year and target species.

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was established in 1982 at Dehradun. It is a major institution for research and training related to wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and protected-area management. Although 1972 is important for the Wildlife (Protection) Act, it is not the year WII was established. Exam tip: Remember WII with 1982 and Dehradun.

The Central Zoo Authority was established in 1992 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It recognises zoos in India and helps ensure standards for their management and animal welfare. The year 1995 is not the year of its establishment. Exam tip: associate the regulation and recognition of zoos with 1992.

The National Zoological Park, Delhi was opened to the public on 1 November 1959. Therefore, 1959 is the correct year. Although 1972 is important for the Wildlife Protection Act, it is not the opening year of the park. Exam tip: Remember 1959 as the opening year of the National Zoological Park, Delhi.