Which of the following statements is correct with respect to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?

The correct answer is Animals listed in this schedule can be hunted.

Important Points

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - 

• The WPA - 1972 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted for the protection of plants and animal species. Prior to this legislation, India had only five designated national parks.
• Among other reforms, the Act established schedules of protected plant and animal species; hunting or harvesting these species was largely outlawed. 
• The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.
• It extends to all territories under the Indian government.
• The Act was substantially amended in 2002. A major objective of this amendment was to update the law to deal with sharply escalating levels of organized poaching. 
• The Act was last amended in the year 2006.

Key Points

Schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 - 

• Schedule 1 - Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life. They are given the highest level of protection. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan Brown Bear, Brow-Antlered Deer, Blue whale, Great Indian Bustard, Black Buck, etc.
• Schedule 2 - Animals under this list are also accorded high protection. Their trade is also prohibited. They cannot be hunted except when they are a threat to human life. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are dhole, king cobra, flying squirrel, etc.
• Schedule 3 and 4 - This schedule includes protected species but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules. Some of the animals listed in this schedule are hyena, Himalayan rat, porcupine, nilgai, goral, etc.
• Schedule 5 - The animals listed in this schedule can be hunted. Animals listed in this schedule are mice, rats, common crow, fruit bats, etc. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Schedule 6 - Cultivation, collection, extraction, trade, etc. of Plants and their derivatives listed in Schedule 6 are prohibited. Examples: pitcher plant, blue vanda, red vanda, kuth, etc.