⁶ [9. Prohibition of hunting.—

No person shall hunt any wild animal specified in ⁷ [ Schedules I and II] except as provided under section 11 and section 12.]

(6. Subs. by s. 9, ibid., for section 9 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

(7. Subs. by Act 18 of 2022, s. 6, for “Schedules I, II, III and IV” (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).

[10. Maintenance of records of wild animals killed or captured.]—Omitted by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), s. 10 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

11. Hunting of wild animals to be permitted in certain cases.—

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and subject to the provisions of Chapter IV,—

(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;

⁸ [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]

(b) the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule II, ⁹***, 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 ¹ [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.

(8. Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).

(9. The words and figures “Schedule III, or Schedule IV” omitted by Act 18 of 2022, s. 7 (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).

(1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s.9, for “such animal or cause such animal to be hunted” (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).

12. Grant of permit for special purposes.—

Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Act, it shall be lawful for the Chief Wild Life Warden, to grant ²*** a permit, by an order in writing stating the reasons therefor, to any person, on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, which shall entitle the holder of such permit to hunt subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, any wild animal specified in such permit, for the purpose of,— 

 (a) education;

³[(b) scientific research;

(bb) scientific management.

Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (bb), the expression,“scientific management” means—

(i) translocation of any wild animals to an alternative suitable habitat; or

(ii) population management of wildlife, without killing or poisoning or destroying any wild animals;]

⁴ [(c) collection of specimens—

(i) for recognised zoos subject to the permission under section 38-I; or

(ii) for museums and similar institutions;

(d) derivation, collection or preparation of snake-venom for the manufacture of life-saving drugs:]

⁵ [Provided that no such permit shall be granted—

(a) in respect of any wild animal specified in Schedule I, except with the previous permission of the Central Government, and

(b) in respect of any other wild animal, except with the previous permission of the State Government;]

(d) derivation, collection or preparation of snake-venom for the manufacture of life-saving drugs:]

(2. The words “, with the previous permission of the State Government” omitted by Act 23 of 1982, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-5-1982).

(3. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for clause (b) (w.e.f. 21-5-1982).

(4. Subs. by Act 44 of 1991, s. 11, for clause (c) (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

(5. Ins. by Act 23 of 1982, s. 2 (w.e.f. 21-5-1982). 

13. [Suspension or cancellation of licence].—Omitted by the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 1991 (44 of 1991), s. 12 (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

14. [Appeals].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid. (w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

15. [Hunting of young and female of wild animals].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

16. [Declaration of closed time].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991).

17. [Restrictions on hunting].—Omitted by, s. 12, ibid.(w.e.f. 2-10-1991).