With the widespread pollution menace and reckless hunting of wild animals the wild flora and fauna has considerably depleted.
For the conservation of wildlife the National Wildlife Action Plan was adopted in 1983. In order to conserve wildlife, the Govt. of India set up the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun and also four regional offices at Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.
For the Preservation of Wildlife, a number of schemes have been launched. Some important schemes are given hereunder:
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Project Tiger:
This project was launched in April, 1973 and is still continuing. Its objectives are:
(a) To ensure the maintenance of a viable population of tiger in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values.
(b) To preserve, for all times, areas of such biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of people.
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Eighteen tiger reserves have so far been established.
Project Elephant:
The project has been launched in 1991-92. The objective of the project is to ensure long-term survival of identified viable populations of elephants and also to tackle the problematic, elephant population that are causing serious depredation.
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National Parks and Sanctuaries:
These are at present 83 National Parks and 447 Wild Life Sanctuaries.
A National Park has been defined as an area dedicated by statute to conserve scenery, natural and historical objects of national significance and wild life; and where provision is made for the enjoyment of the same by the public.
A Wild Life Sanctuary has been defined as an area where the killing of capturing of any animal or bird is prohibited, except under the orders of a competent authority.