Wildlife Protection Act (Conservation Laws & Bodies).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity & Climate Change; Mains GS3
CITES for UPSC: origin, Appendices I, II and III, permits, CoPs, India's Wildlife Protection Act 2022 changes, WCCB, TRAFFIC and wildlife trade…
National parks for UPSC: Wildlife Protection Act rules, park vs sanctuary, first and largest parks, key parks by State, tiger reserves and…
On 19 August 2026 the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted a wildlife trafficking syndicate in Lucknow and seized 54 carved ivory artefacts. Four people were arrested and handed over, with the items, to the UP Forest Department. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 bans trade in elephant ivory, in line with India's obligations under CITES.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CITES; WPA schedules.
19 Aug 2026
India marked Global Tiger Day on 29 July 2026 at an NTCA event in New Delhi. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said India now has 3682 tigers and 58 tiger reserves. NTCA launched an eco-tourism webpage linking all tiger reserves and released five publications, including a security audit of 24 tiger reserves.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NTCA; Tiger Range Countries.
29 Jul 2026
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized over 440 endangered or protected wild animals and about 15 kg of ivory articles and elephant ivory in coordinated pan-India operations, the Finance Ministry said on 13 July 2026. Thirty-three persons were arrested. Operations ran with CBI, WCCB, Customs and State Forest Departments.
UPSC angle: Prelims: CITES.
13 Jul 2026
Using the CBI for a wildlife crime shows agencies working together on such offences.
UPSC angle: Prelims: chiru, Shahtoosh.
15 Apr 2026