National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

Source: PM India

Context: Prime Minister chaired the 7th National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) meeting at Gir National Park, focusing on conservation strategies, protected area expansion, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.

About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

• What is the NBWL?

• The NBWL is the highest advisory body on wildlife conservation in India. Established under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Reconstituted in 2022, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife (1952).

• The NBWL is the highest advisory body on wildlife conservation in India.

• Established under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• Reconstituted in 2022, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife (1952).

• Chaired By:

• Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio Chairperson). Vice-Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

• Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio Chairperson).

• Vice-Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

• Structure of Organisation: 47-member committee including top government officials, conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists. Includes defence and expenditure secretaries, army chief, and other high-ranking officials. Member-Secretary: Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife) & Director, Wildlife Preservation. Standing Committee of NBWL: A smaller body under NBWL for project clearances related to protected areas.

• 47-member committee including top government officials, conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists.

• Includes defence and expenditure secretaries, army chief, and other high-ranking officials.

• Member-Secretary: Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife) & Director, Wildlife Preservation.

• Standing Committee of NBWL: A smaller body under NBWL for project clearances related to protected areas.

• Functions and Powers of NBWL: Wildlife Conservation Policy: Advises the Central Government on wildlife protection strategies. Approval for Projects in Protected Areas: Mandates clearance for any development projects within PAs, Tiger Reserves, and wildlife habitats. Boundary Alterations in Protected Areas: No changes to PA boundaries without NBWL recommendation. Tourism Regulation: Approves construction of tourist lodges and eco-tourism activities in PAs. Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflict: Develops strategies to reduce habitat destruction and human-animal interactions. Wildlife Health & Research: Supports scientific research, conservation programs, and AI-based wildlife monitoring.

• Wildlife Conservation Policy: Advises the Central Government on wildlife protection strategies.

• Approval for Projects in Protected Areas: Mandates clearance for any development projects within PAs, Tiger Reserves, and wildlife habitats.

• Boundary Alterations in Protected Areas: No changes to PA boundaries without NBWL recommendation.

• Tourism Regulation: Approves construction of tourist lodges and eco-tourism activities in PAs.

• Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflict: Develops strategies to reduce habitat destruction and human-animal interactions.

• Wildlife Health & Research: Supports scientific research, conservation programs, and AI-based wildlife monitoring.