A contestant of a Kannada reality show was arrested by forest department officials for allegedly wearing a tiger claw pendant. The action came after a complaint that Varthur Santhosh was wearing such a pendant on Bigg Boss Kannada, which is a violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
In recent times there has been a confiscation of Tiger claws in and around Tiger reserves. However, forest authorities assert that this increase is primarily due to enhanced conservation efforts.
What does the Law say?
The possession of Tiger claws used in jewelry has been prohibited by several decades due to the need to protect and conserve the endangered tiger population.
In India, the possession and wearing of Tiger claws or any other part of the Tiger’s body are prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The Act was enacted to protect and conserve wildlife, including endangered species like tigers.
Offenders found guilty of possessing and wearing such pendants face several legal consequences, including imprisonment ranging from three to seven years or a penalty or both.
Facts about Tiger in India
Tiger is identified as an endangered species under the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Flora and Fauna.
Also, it is identified under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Around 70% of the Global Tiger population is located in India.
Nagpur is known as the tiger capital of India.
The Vidarbha region of India, which also includes the Nagpur division, has 13 Tiger reserves alone.
The forested regions and the climatic conditions located in and around the Vidarbha region are very suitable for tigers.
The first White Tigers Sanctuary was inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh in 2016.
In Indian Culture, Tiger has been associated with bravery and valour, and it symbolizes fierceness, magnificence, power, and beauty.
The Indian Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
The Indo-Chinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti) is found mostly in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia but also Myanmar, Southern China, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
The Indian Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), also called the Indian tiger or the Royal Bengal tiger, is native to the Indian subcontinent.
The Indochinese Tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti), also known as Corbett’s tiger, is named in honor of the famous British hunter Jim Corbett, who was often enlisted to hunt down man-eating tigers and leopards early in the 20th century.
About the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 is an Act of the Indian Parliament designed to conserve plant and animal species.
The Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) of 1972 is divided into six schedule lists that provide varying degrees of protection.
Poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade in animals listed in Schedules 1–4 are prohibited.
Animals included in the Schedule are completely protected from hunting, and trade and commerce involving such animals are strictly regulated.
The WPA, 1972 governs wildlife conservation and protection in India.
India is the first country in the world to include measures for environmental preservation and conservation in its constitution.
The Act arose during a period in India when environmental law was quickly expanding.
The Act was created with the understanding that prior legislation, such as the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act of 1912, was insufficient.
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