The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 1974
The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 1974 is a provincial legislation enacted in the province of Punjab, aimed at safeguarding and managing the rich biodiversity and wildlife resources within the region. The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 1974 is designed to regulate and protect the diverse flora and fauna, promoting their conservation and sustainable management. The Act delineates the legal framework for the protection of wildlife and the preservation of their habitats, recognizing their ecological and economic significance. Under this Act, the Punjab province established a Wildlife Department tasked with implementing policies and strategies for wildlife conservation, including the creation of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 1974 categorizes wildlife into different Schedules, differentiating between protected, game, and vermin species, each with its specific regulations governing hunting, possession, and trade. The Act also deals with the prevention of illegal hunting, poaching, and the unauthorized trade of wildlife and their products. The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management) Act, 1974 outlines the penalties and legal consequences for individuals or organizations found guilty of contravening the provisions of the Act.
The Act was amended from time to time. The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2007 was enacted to amend the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1974. The Sections 2(bb), 2(cc), 2(ccc), 2(d), 2(mm), 2(mmm), 2(s), 2(tt), 2(ttt), 2(tttt), 2(w), 16-A, 18-A, 44-A were inserted. Clause (i) of Sections 9 was substituted. Sections 20 & 21 was also substituted.
The Sections 16, 17, 18 and 19 of Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, 1974 were repealed by the Punjab Protected Areas Act, 2020. In the year 2023 the law was amended vide The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2023 in Section 9 to insert the expression PCP air guns, CO2 air. In the year 2025 the law is amended to re-organize the wildlife department and increase the violation punishments with respect to poaching or hunting of wild animals/birds.
Recently the act was amended through The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2025
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