[Answered] The Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, has significantly expanded the list of species under its protection, often without clear criteria for inclusion. Critically analyze the potential ecological, administrative, and socio-economic implications of this expanded protection.

Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 seeks to conserve and protect wildlife through better management of protected areas and rationalize schedules that list out species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, expands the list of species under its protection, & is a commendable step in conserving biodiversity and addressing the global concern of species extinction.

Ecological implications

• Biodiversity Conservation: Since the new amendment seeks to increase the species protected under the law and implement the CITES it has expanded the scope of biodiversity conservation while providing no clear connection between endangerment and conservation.
• Preventing Extinction: The legislation may help save species from becoming extinct and support the recovery of vulnerable populations by incorporating a greater number of species, particularly those that are severely endangered or risk habitat degradation.
• Ecosystem Services: Many species offer services that are essential to agriculture and human well-being, such as seed distribution, pest management, and pollination. People gain inadvertently from the protection of these creatures.

Administrative implications

• Administrative Burden: The new listing will involve prioritizing species for biodiversity conservation as resources will have to be prioritized according to the degree of protection available to each species. Such prioritizing will impose an additional burden on the administration. Expanding the list without adequate resources, personnel, and infrastructure may strain the capacity of wildlife authorities.
• Species Identification and Monitoring: Identifying and monitoring a larger number of species can be challenging. It requires skilled personnel, technology, and a comprehensive database to track changes in population sizes and distribution.

Socio-Economic implications

• Livelihood of farmers: Since wild pigs and nilgai are now classified as Schedule 1 under the new Act, the few States that still permit the restricted killing of problematic animals may not be able to maintain that policy. This demonstrates complete disregard for the predicament of farmers. Various Schedule 1 species like crocodiles, elephants, and leopards pose enormous physical, mental, and economic harm to people.
• Conflict with Human Activities: Developing infrastructure, mining, and other human activities could clash with the expansion of protection. Economic ramifications of these disputes may include lost revenue and employment.
• Awareness & Education: Raising the number of protected species can help spread knowledge and encourage ecotourism, which may lead to the creation of job opportunities and local support for conservation.

Conclusion

The expansion of the Wildlife Protection Act to include more species is a significant step toward conserving India’s rich biodiversity. However, it must be accompanied by careful planning, adequate resources, and community engagement to mitigate potential negative ecological, administrative, and socio-economic implications. Striking a balance between conservation and sustainable development is essential to ensure the long-term well-being of both wildlife and people.