Wildlife Act, 1976

Temporary suspension of open seasons.

27.—(1) Where the Minister is satisfied that because of the severity of weather conditions occurring in the State or elsewhere, or for any other reason (which reason shall be specified in the order), it is desirable, in the interest of conserving fauna, to make an order under this section, he may by order prohibit during such period not exceeding one month as may be specified in the order, either throughout the State or in such area or areas thereof as may be so specified, the hunting of—

(a) any protected wild bird which is of a species specified both in an order under section 24 of this Act and in the order under this subsection, or

(b) any exempted wild mammal which is of a species specified in the order under this subsection.

(2) In case before the commencement of an order under this section an order under section 24 or section 25 of this Act has been made and has not been revoked, the following provisions shall apply—

(a) in case immediately before such commencement the order under the said section 24 or 25, as the case may be, was in force, it shall not have effect in relation to any protected wild bird or exempted wild mammal specified in the order under this section at any time during the period so specified, and

(b) in case immediately before such commencement the order under the said section 24 or 25, as the case may be, had not come into force, then, notwithstanding anything contained in the order, unless the order under this section is sooner revoked, as regards any such protected wild bird or exempted wild mammal, the order under the said section 24 or 25, as the case may be, shall not come into force until the expiration of the period specified in the order under this section.

(3) The Minister may by order extend the period specified in an order under subsection (1) of this section; provided that the period during which a prohibition under this section is to remain in force shall in no case exceed two months.