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Smuggling in India Report 2024-25 60

Legal Framework

India has a robust legal framework to tackle
wildlife crimes:

a. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: The
Act inter alia contains provisions
for the constitution, functioning
and duties of conservation and
enforcement authorities, protec-
tion of specified species of ani-
mals and plants, prohibitory
provisions on hunting of pro-
tected animals, trade and com-
merce of protected species of
flora and fauna, penalties and
punishment of offenders, and
forfeiture of property derived
from wildlife crimes.

b. Customs Act, 1962: Under sec-
tion 11 of the Act, the import
and export of protected species
of flora and fauna is prohibited.

c. CITES, 1973: As a signatory to
the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora, India has
the legal and regulatory frame-
work to prevent illegal trade of
protected species of flora and
fauna.

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