**Executive Summary**
The document summarizes wildlife and animal conservation initiatives in India as of February 5, 2026. It details efforts related to wildlife protection, habitat improvement, flagship species conservation, and protected area development, as outlined in a reply by the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change to a question in Rajya Sabha. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 serves as the foundation for these initiatives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Legal Framework and Financial Assistance:**
* The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 governs wildlife conservation, protection, and management.
* The Ministry provides financial assistance to States and Union Territories under centrally sponsored schemes such as ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats' and 'Project Tiger and Elephant'.
* **Habitat Improvement Initiatives:**
* Supported activities include: removing invasive species, creating water holes, grassland management, anti-poaching measures, improved communication, and utilizing technology for monitoring and managing human-wildlife conflict.
* **Flagship Species Conservation:**
* Project-based conservation efforts target Tiger, Elephant, Dolphin, Lion, and Snow Leopard.
* The 'Recovery programme' assists States and Union Territories in conserving 24 critically endangered species.
* **Population Assessment:**
* The first scientific assessment of snow leopards showed a population of 718, and river dolphins showed a population of 6327.
* Tiger population increased to an estimated 3682 in 2022.
* Leopard population in the country is estimated at 13,874 in 2022.
* **Protected Areas Development:**
* The number of Protected Areas increased to 1134 in 2025.
* Tiger Reserves increased to 58, and Elephant Reserves to 33.
* 32 tiger corridors and 150 Elephant corridors have been identified.
* **Management Effectiveness:**
* The Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) exercise assesses the effectiveness of management of National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and Elephant Reserves.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
* **Impact**: Receive financial assistance and guidance for wildlife conservation, habitat management, and species protection.
* **Action Required**: Implement conservation plans and activities supported by central schemes, and participate in population assessments.
**Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change**
* **Impact**: Responsible for policy-making, financial assistance, and overseeing conservation efforts.
* **Action Required**: Continue implementing centrally sponsored schemes, conduct population assessments, and monitor the effectiveness of protected areas.
**Wildlife and Animal Populations**
* **Impact**: Benefit from habitat improvement, anti-poaching measures, and targeted conservation efforts.
* **Action Required**: Adapt to changes in habitat and conservation strategies.
**Local Communities**
* **Impact**: Involved in eco-development activities to manage human-wildlife conflict.
* **Action Required**: Participate in community-based conservation initiatives and support efforts to reduce conflict with wildlife.
Key Entities Referenced
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Indian legislation providing for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants.
Project Tiger and Elephant: Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the conservation and protection of wildlife and improvement of its habitats.
Development of Wildlife Habitats: Centrally Sponsored Scheme that aims at conservation and protection of wildlife and improvement of its habitats.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for planning, promoting, coordinating and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and programmes.
Protected Areas: A network of National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves created to protect wildlife in the country.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: WILDLIFE AND
ANIMAL CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
Posted On: 05 FEB 2026 3:33PM by PIB Delhi
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for conservation, protection and management of wildlife.
The Act regulates hunting of wild animals, provides for declaration of Sanctuaries, National Parks,
Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves and also for penalties for violation of the provisions of
the Act.
The Ministry provides the financial assistance to States and Union Territories under the Centrally
Sponsored Schemes, of ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’ which aims
at conservation and protection of wildlife and improvement of its habitats.
These schemes support activities like removal of invasive species, creation of water holes, grassland
management, maintenance of fire lines, soil and moisture conservation works, establishment and
maintenance of anti-poaching camps, patrolling squads, improved wireless communication, wildlife
veterinary care, use of technology like camera traps, drones, e-surveillance etc. for monitoring of wild
animals, detecting illegal intrusions,early warning system in relaying information to quick reaction teams
in the field for managing human wildlife conflict, eco-development activities involving communities.
Conservation of flagship species such as Tiger, Elephant, Dolphin etc are implemented in project mode
like Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Project Lion, Project Snow Leopard, Project Dolphin. Under a
species specific component ‘Recovery programme for saving critically endangered species and habitats’,
States and Union Territories are assisted for focused conservation action on identified 24 critically
endangered species.
The population assessment of wild animals is carried out by the respective States and Union Territories
from time to time. The population assessment of the identified flagship species are carried out at National
level. The first ever scientific assessment of the snow leopards and river dolphin have indicated a
population of 718 snow leopards and 6327 river dolphins in the country. The tiger population has shown
increase as per the All India Tiger Estimation done in 2022, with an estimated number of 3682 (range
3167-3925) as compared to the 2018 estimation of 2967 (range 2603-3346). Further, as per ‘Status of
Leopards in India- 2022’ report, leopard population in country is estimated at 13,874 (Range: 12,616 –
15,132) individuals, in comparison to 12852 (12,172-13,535) individuals as per 2018 report.
Further, with a view to protecting, propagating and developing wildlife a network of Protected Areas have
been created in the country. The number of Protected Areas have increased from 981 in 2020 to 1134 in
2025. Similarly, the Tiger Reserves have increased from 50 to 58 and Elephant Reserves have increased
from 30 to 33 during the same period. In addition, for maintaining the ecological connectivity, 32 tiger
corridors and 150 Elephant corridors have been identified. The Management Effectiveness Evaluation
(MEE) exercise for the National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and Elephant Reserves, have also
been undertaken to assess the effectiveness of management.This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST
AND CLIMATE CHANGE, SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH, in a written reply to a question in Rajya
Sabha today.
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VM/GS/SK
(Rajya Sabha US Q691)
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