HUNTING OF WILD ANIMALSCentral

Section 11 of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and subject to the provisions of Chapter IV,--
1. (a)the Chief Wild Life Warden may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule I has become dangerous to human life or is so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery, by Order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt such animal or cause such animal to be hunted; 1[Provided that no wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated: Provided further that no such captured animal shall be kept in captivity unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be rehabilitated in the wild and the reasons for the same are recorded in writing. Explanation.-- For the purposes of clause (a), the process of capture or translocation, as the case may be, of such animal shall be made in such manner as to cause minimum trauma to the said animal]
2. (b)the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule II, 2***, has become dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land) or is so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery, by order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt 3[such animal or group of animals in a specified area or cause such animal or group of animals in that specified area to be hunted].
(2)The killing or wounding in good faith of any wild animal in defence of oneself or of any other person shall not be an offence: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall exonerate any person who, when such defence becomes necessary, was committing any act in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.
(3)Amy wild animal killed or wounded in defence of any person shall be Government property.

Summary

The Chief Wild Life Warden can permit hunting of Schedule I animals if they are dangerous to humans or terminally ill.
Permission to kill must be in writing, and killing is only allowed if the animal cannot be captured or moved.
Schedule II animals can be hunted if they threaten humans, property, or standing crops.
Killing or wounding an animal in good faith to defend yourself or others is not an offence.
If you were already breaking a wildlife law when the "defence" happened, you are not exempt from punishment.
Any animal killed or wounded in self-defence becomes the property of the Government.

Practical examples

1A Warden discovers a leopard has contracted a terminal, painful disease; after recording the reasons in writing, he permits a trained officer to put the animal down humanely.

2Ravi is walking in the forest when a wild bear suddenly attacks him; he uses a heavy stick to wound the bear to escape, which is legal self-defence under Section 11.

3A farmer who wounded a deer in self-defence while he was actually in the forest to illegally cut protected timber is still charged with a crime because he was breaking the law during the encounter.

FAQ

1. Who can authorize the hunting of a dangerous animal under Section 11 of the Wild Life Act?

The Chief Wild Life Warden or an authorised officer can grant this permission in writing.

2. Can I kill a Schedule I animal for damaging my crops under Section 11?

No, Section 11 only allows hunting Schedule I animals if they are dangerous to humans or beyond recovery; crop damage only applies to Schedule II animals.

3. Is self-defence a valid legal excuse under the Wild Life Protection Act?

Yes, Section 11(2) states that killing or wounding an animal in good faith to defend a person is not an offence.

4. If I kill an animal in self-defence, can I keep the body under Section 11?

No, Section 11(3) states that any animal killed or wounded in defence is Government property.

5. What is the rule for "last resort" hunting in Section 11?

A Warden cannot order a Schedule I animal killed unless they are satisfied it cannot be captured, tranquilised, or moved to a new home.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 11, which official must be "satisfied" before a Schedule I animal is hunted?

Q2.For which group of animals can a hunting permit be issued due to "damage to property" under Section 11?

Q3.According to Section 11(2), when is self-defence NOT an excuse for killing an animal?

Q4.What happens to a tiger killed in self-defence under Section 11 of the Act?

Q5.In Section 11, what must be tried for a Schedule I animal before it is ordered to be killed?

10PreviousSection 10 Omitted..12NextSection 12 Grant of permit for special purposes.

←Section 10 Section 12→

HUNTING OF WILD ANIMALSCentral

Section 11 of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and subject to the provisions of Chapter IV,--
1. (a)the Chief Wild Life Warden may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule I has become dangerous to human life or is so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery, by Order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt such animal or cause such animal to be hunted; 1[Provided that no wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated: Provided further that no such captured animal shall be kept in captivity unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be rehabilitated in the wild and the reasons for the same are recorded in writing. Explanation.-- For the purposes of clause (a), the process of capture or translocation, as the case may be, of such animal shall be made in such manner as to cause minimum trauma to the said animal]
2. (b)the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule II, 2***, has become dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land) or is so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery, by order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt 3[such animal or group of animals in a specified area or cause such animal or group of animals in that specified area to be hunted].
(2)The killing or wounding in good faith of any wild animal in defence of oneself or of any other person shall not be an offence: Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall exonerate any person who, when such defence becomes necessary, was committing any act in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.
(3)Amy wild animal killed or wounded in defence of any person shall be Government property.

Summary

The Chief Wild Life Warden can permit hunting of Schedule I animals if they are dangerous to humans or terminally ill.
Permission to kill must be in writing, and killing is only allowed if the animal cannot be captured or moved.
Schedule II animals can be hunted if they threaten humans, property, or standing crops.
Killing or wounding an animal in good faith to defend yourself or others is not an offence.
If you were already breaking a wildlife law when the "defence" happened, you are not exempt from punishment.
Any animal killed or wounded in self-defence becomes the property of the Government.