According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? [2017]

According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law?

Gharial
Indian wild ass
Wild buffalo

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Option (d) is correct

All of the given animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals, management of their habitat and also for the regulation and control of trade in the products derived from various parts of wild animals.

Additional Information

Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
Distribution: The only viable population in the National Chambal Sanctuary is spread across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh in India. Small non-breeding populations exist in Son, Gandak, Hoogly and Ghagra rivers.
Habitat: Clean rivers with sand banks (Fresh Water).
Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered | WPA, 1972: Schedule-I
Threats: The combined effects of dams, barrages, artificial embankments, changes in river course, pollution, sand-mining, riparian agriculture and ingress of domestic and feral livestock.

Photograph showing a crocodile partially submerged in water with its head and open mouth visible. Adjacent map highlights northeastern India and surrounding regions, including Bangladesh and Myanmar, with labeled cities and borders.

Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur) is a sub-species of Asian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus).
It is locally called as khur in Gujarat region.
It is solitary and shy animal, present in low densities across its distribution range.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Near Threatened (NT) | WPA, 1972: Schedule-I
Distribution: The khur was formerly widespread in the arid zone of northwestern India and Pakistan, westwards through much of central Asia. It is now primarily found in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) in Gujarat, in a protected area called the Wild Ass Sanctuary.

Photograph of a light brown and white donkey standing on dry, sandy ground with a blurred background. Adjacent map shows Gujarat, India, highlighting districts in various colors with labeled cities, Arabian Sea coastline, and neighboring states for geographic context.

The wild water buffalo, also called Asian buffalo, Asiatic buffalo and wild buffalo, is a large bovine native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is the state animal of Chhatisgarh.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Endangered | WPA, 1972: Schedule-I
Once occupying the parts of present Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Telangana states in Central India, it is now restricted to only three small pockets in Indravati Tiger Reserve and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) in Chhattisgarh and a few animals in the Kopela-Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Maharashtra.

Photograph of a water buffalo standing in shallow water surrounded by green vegetation, highlighting its large curved horns and sturdy build. Adjacent map shows South Asia and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, indicating the geographical habitat of the water buffalo.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Easy

2017, PYQs