EVOLUTION OF WILDLIFE LAWS IN INDIA AND THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT AND CONSERVATION

India, known for its rich and diverse ecological heritage, has witnessed an evolving relationship between humans and wildlife spanning ancient reverence, colonial exploitation, and modern conservation efforts. This paper traces the historical evolution of wildlife protection laws in India from pre-colonial religious and cultural norms, through colonial-era regulatory statutes, to contemporary legal frameworks dominated by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and related constitutional provisions. Despite these comprehensive statutory instruments and constitutional mandates such as Articles 48A and 51A(g), India faces escalating human-wildlife conflict driven by habitat loss, expanding agricultural and infrastructural development, and social pressures. The study critically examines judicial interventions that have expanded environmental and animal welfare rights, highlighting landmark cases that underscore the role of courts in conservation governance. Moreover, it explores the vital yet underrepresented role of local communities in conservation practices, analyzing mechanisms such as the Forest Rights Act and Joint Forest Management that enable participatory governance. The paper proposes legal and policy reforms aimed at bridging gaps between law and practice, emphasizing capacity building, inclusion of community knowledge, and sustainable coexistence strategies. Ultimately, this research advocates for an integrative approach to wildlife conservation that aligns ecological preservation with social justice and participatory governance.