India was probably the first country to enact a wildlife protection act. The wild birds and animals protection act was passed in 1887 and repealed in 1927. For giving protection in the state, the forest act 26 was enacted in 1927. Indian Board for Wildlife was established in 1952, and this was followed by setting up of wildlife boards in different states.

In 1972 new wildlife protection act was passed under this act, possession, trapping, shooting of wild animals alive or dead, serving their meat in eating houses, their transport and export are all controlled and watched by special staff. This act prohibits hunting of females and young ones. Under this act, threatened species are absolutely protected and the rest afforded graded protection according to their state of population size.