In 1972, a quarter century after Independence, the colonialegacy of shikar had continued despite
the concerns that trophy hunting, trade in wildlife products and the increasingoss of natural habitat
was taking a huge toll on India’s famed and diverse wildlife. The cheetah was already extinct; tiger
numbers had plummeted and other wild animals including mammals, birds and reptiles were faring
no better. This called for urgent measures. Many believed that national wildlifeegislation was one
such measure.


In 2022, India celebrates 75 years of Independence and 50 years of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Aot has since happened on the wildlife front, aot more could have been achieved. Wildlife India
@ 50 captures India’s 50-year-long wildlife journey through the eyes and experiences of a diverse
set of authors who themselves played a part in it.