State notifies wildlife protection rules

The state government has notified the Haryana Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 2025, under Section 64 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, replacing the outdated 1974 rules with a modern legal framework aimed at strengthening conservation and closing enforcement gaps.

The new rules outline detailed procedures for reporting dangerous or diseased wild animals, empowering DCs, Divisional Forest Officers, and police officials to notify the Chief Wildlife Warden for prompt action under Section 11 of the Act, which allows permission to hunt such animals or cause such animals to be hunted.

Hunting or use of wildlife for scientific, educational, or other special purposes will now require prior approval of the Chief Wildlife Warden, with fees of Rs 50,000 for Schedule-I animals and Rs 10,000 for other species, and government clearance in the case of derivation, collection, or preparation of snake-venom for the manufacture of life-saving drugs.

Strict licensing provisions have been introduced for the collection, cultivation, and trade of specified plants under Sections 17-B, 17-C, and 17-D of the Act, with application fees of Rs 5,000 for permits and Rs 12,000 for trade licences.

Arms licence holders living within 10 km of sanctuaries and national parks must register with the Chief Wildlife Warden and comply with mandatory reporting of any transfer, relocation or death of the licence holder.

The rules impose rigorous controls on taxidermists, licensed dealers, and transport of wild animals, trophies, including the issue of serially numbered vouchers, monthly record-submission, and prior permission for movement within the state.

Seized trophies, meat, or plant products will be destroyed by supervised incineration in the presence of a government-appointed committee, ensuring transparency. Residents intending to lodge wildlife-related complaints must now give a statutory 60-day notice to the Chief Wildlife Warden and Divisional Wildlife Officer under Section 55 of the Act.