THE INFLUENCE OF THE WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT ON ECO – TOURISM IN INDIA: A CRITICAL STUDY

AUTHOR – ANIRUDH SINGH* & DR VIPIN DAS R V**

* STUDENT AT CHRIST DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY, PUNE, LAVASA

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT CHRIST DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY, PUNE, LAVASA

BEST CITATION – ANIRUDH SINGH, THE INFLUENCE OF THE WILDLIFE PROTECTION ACT ON ECO – TOURISM IN INDIA: A CRITICAL STUDY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (8) OF 2025, PG. 699-705, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT–

Many aspects of India’s biodiversity are protected and conserved through the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This paper attempts at critically analyzing how the Act has promoted or otherwise affected eco-tourism in India, responsible travel to areas of natural beauty that aims at conserving the environment with regard to enhancing locals’ well-being. Eco-tourism probably has gained a great deal of thrust across India as a destination for travelers to learn about and appreciate unique wildlife and habitats found in the country.

The Wildlife Protection Act also provided for the setting up of protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves which have gradually become the main hot spots of eco-tourism. It enables the visitors to see the beauty and variety of Indian wildlife in their natural setting. Moreover, the Act has acted as an important catalyst in regulating tourism activities at these sites so that they were conducted in an environment-friendly and sustainable manner.

Despite the fact that the Wildlife Protection Act has proved to be positive in regard to increasing eco-tourism in India, there still are related challenges and constraints, such as issues relating to implementation of the Act, human-wildlife conflict, and the involvement of the community in the eco-tourism activities. This paper essentially elucidates the salience of Wildlife Protection Act in promoting eco-tourism in India and possible measures for overcoming the challenges faced in this sector.