UPSC Prelims 2022 · GS Paper I
Question 89: Environment and Ecology
With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements :
- 1.Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
- 2.When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled for equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
- 3.Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, protection attaches to the species listed in the Schedules wherever the animal is found, inside or outside a protected area, so statement 2 is true. Government ownership under Section 39 covers specified categories, such as animals hunted under permit, found dead or kept unlawfully, so 'sole property' overstates it. A mere apprehension of danger is not enough to capture or kill a protected animal: the Chief Wildlife Warden must be satisfied that it has become dangerous to human life.
- 1. Section 39 vests only specified categories of wild animals in the Government; 'sole property' is too broad.
- 2. A declared protected animal is protected whether inside or outside protected areas.
- 3. Capture or killing needs the Chief Wildlife Warden's satisfaction that the animal has become dangerous, not mere apprehension.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.
What you needed to know: Section 39 vests only specified categories of wild animals in the Government; 'sole property' is too broad.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: A declared protected animal is protected whether inside or outside protected areas.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong. Statement 1 overstates government ownership.
- (b) Correct. A protected species gets equal protection everywhere.
- (c) Wrong. Both statements 1 and 3 are incorrect.
- (d) Wrong. Mere apprehension of danger is not sufficient ground.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.