Previous Year Question
If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
A licence is required to cultivate that plant
Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances
It is a Genetically Modified crop plant
Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
This question is based on the schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 that existed before the 2022 amendment.
At that time, specified protected plant species were placed under Schedule VI of the Act.
According to Section 17C of the Act, no specified plant included in Schedule VI could be cultivated without a licence.
Such a licence was granted by the Chief Wildlife Warden or an officer authorized by the State Government.
The licence could specify the area and period of cultivation and the conditions to be followed.
It did not mean a complete prohibition on the cultivation of the plant under every circumstance; cultivation was possible under a valid licence.
The Act also prohibited the picking, uprooting, damaging, acquiring or collecting of a protected plant without permission.
Provisions concerning control and permission also applied to the trade and possession of Schedule VI plants.
Plants such as Beddome’s cycad, Blue Vanda, Kuth, Lady’s Slipper Orchid, Pitcher Plant and Red Vanda were included under it.
Inclusion in Schedule VI did not indicate that the plant was a genetically modified crop. Therefore, option (c) is not correct.
These plants were not listed because they were invasive and harmful to the ecosystem. Therefore, option (d) is not correct.
The Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022 reorganized the schedules, and specified protected plants are now placed in Schedule III.
Therefore, according to the legal arrangement applicable at the time of the question, option (a) is the correct answer.