NEWS

Denison barb (Miss Kerala), a native freshwater fish species commonly found in parts of Karnataka and Kerala, has been included in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021.

DETAILS

• Type of Red-line torpedo barb and roseline shark.
• Scientific name – Sahyadria denisonii.
• Featured with red and black stripes on its body.
• Found in the States of Kerala and Karnataka.
• Listed on the IUCN Redlist as Vulnerable, in 2010.
• Why included in Schedule I of WPA:
  • Highly sought-after in the international aquarium trade, constituting 60 – 65% of the total live ornamental fish exported from India.
  • Its numbers are also decreasing owing to habitat degradation due to deforestation, mining, agriculture, urban expansion and hydro-electric projects.

WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT (WPA), 1972

Consists of 6 schedule lists, which give varying degrees of protection.

SCHEDULE 1 AND PART II OF SCHEDULE 2

• Animals listed in schedule 1 and parts II of schedule 2 have absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
• Examples of animals listed in schedule 1 are lion tailed macaque, rhinoceros, great indian bustard, narcondamhorn bill, nicobarmegapode, black buck, etc.
• Examples of animals listed in schedule 2 are rhesus macaque, dhole, Bengal porcupine, king cobra, flying squirrel, Himalaya brown bear, etc.

SCHEDULE 3 AND SCHEDULE 4

• Animals listed in schedule 3 and schedules 4 are also protected, but the penalties are lower compared to schedule 1 and part 2 of schedule 2.
• Examples of animals listed in schedule 3 are hyaena, hogdeer, nilgai, goral, sponges, barking deer, etc.
• Examples of animals listed in schedule 4 are mangooses, vultures, etc.

SCHEDULE 5

• Animals listed in schedule 5 are called “vermin” which can be hunted.
• Mice, rat, common crow and flying fox (fruit eating bats) are the list of animals (only 4 nos) in schedule 5 [i.e. vermin].

SCHEDULE 6

• Cultivation, Collection, extraction, trade, etc. of Plants and its derivatives listed in schedule 6 are prohibited.
• Red Vanda, blue Vanda, kuth, pitcher plant, beddomes cycad and ladies slipper orchid are the list of plants listed in schedule 6.