Section 11 of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 View Chapter 3

Hunting of wild animals to be permitted in certain cases.


   (1)  Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force and subject to the provisions of Chapter IV,--

       (a)  the Chief Wild Life Warden may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule I has become dangerous to human life or is so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery, by Order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt such animal or cause such animal to be hunted;

       1[Provided that no wild animal shall be ordered to be killed unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be captured, tranquilised or translocated:

       Provided further that no such captured animal shall be kept in captivity unless the Chief Wild Life Warden is satisfied that such animal cannot be rehabilitated in the wild and the reasons for the same are recorded in writing.

       Explanation.-- For the purposes of clause (a), the process of capture or translocation, as the case may be, of such animal shall be made in such manner as to cause minimum trauma to the said animal]

       (b)  the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorised officer may, if he is satisfied that any wild animal specified in Schedule II, 2***, has become dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land) or is so disabled or diseased as to be beyond recovery, by order in writing and stating the reasons therefor, permit any person to hunt 3[such animal or group of animals in a specified area or cause such animal or group of animals in that specified area to be hunted].

   (2)  The killing or wounding in good faith of any wild animal in defence of oneself or of any other person shall not be an offence:

   Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall exonerate any person who, when such defence becomes necessary, was committing any act in contravention of any provision of this Act or any rule or order made thereunder.

   (3)  Amy wild animal killed or wounded in defence of any person shall be Government property.

1Ins. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 9 (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).

2The words and figures "Schedule III, or Schedule IV" omitted by Act 18 of 2022, s. 7 (w.e.f. 1-4-2023).

3Subs. by s.9, ibid., for "such animal or cause such animal to be hunted" (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).