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

1. licence is required to cultivate that plant.
2. Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
3. It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
4. Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Schedule VI of the Act includes certain plant species whose cultivation and planting are prohibited without a license. Therefore, if a plant species is listed under Schedule VI, obtaining a license is mandatory for its cultivation. The Act was amended in 2022, with the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, which came into effect from April 1, 2023. Among other significant changes, it also reduced the number of schedules from six to four.
• In the amendment act:
  • Schedule I specifies the animal species with the highest level of protection,
  • Schedule II specifies the animal species with a relatively lower degree of protection.
  • Schedule III in the amendment act is for plant species and
  • Schedule IV is for species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Answer: (a) licence is required to cultivate that plant; Difficulty Level: Hard