(a) Describe the main provisions of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

(i) An all-India list of protected species was published.

(ii) The thrust of the programme was towards protecting the remaining population of certain endangered species.

(iii) Giving legal protection to habitats of endangered species.

(iv) Hunting was banned.

(v) The Act restricted trade in wildlife.

(vi) Central and many state governments established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

(b) Describe any two characteristics of ‘reserved forests’ in India.

(i) More than half of the total forest land has been declared reserved forests in India.

(ii) Reserved forests are regarded as the most valuable as far as the conservation of forest is concerned.

(iii) Reserved forests are valuable for wildlife resources.

(iv) Reserved forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates maintained for the purpose of producing timber and other forest produce, and for protective reasons.