NEW WILDLIFE ACT PUBLISHED IN GAZETTE

New Delhi, April 2: The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 has been published in the gazette of India Extraordinary. The Central Government has decided April 1m 2003 as the date on which all provisions except Section 6 of the said Act shall come into force.

Ongoing cases of violation of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 will continue to be governed by the unamended act. Any violations committed on March 31, 2003 and earlier will also be governed by the unamended act.

The notification of the amendment act will change many things. A longer note on this subject will be available from Wildlife Trust of India in a few days upon request. Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II offences and those offences which relates to hunting in a sanctuary or a national park or altering the boundaries of a sanctuary or a national park shall be punishable with imprisonment of not less than three years but may extend to seven years and also with fine which shall not be less than Rs.25,000.

A copy of the gazette notification can be procured from the Wildlife Trust of India upon request.