About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
- It is a statutory body constituted by the Central Government in 2022 under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- NBWL is India’s top-level advisory body to the government on matters pertaining to wildlife conservation, particularly within Protected Areas (PAs).
- It is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in PAs.
- Organisation Structure:
- It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change as vice chairperson.
- In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the Chief of Army Staff, Defence Secretary, expenditure secretary to the Government of India as members.
- Further, the central government nominates 10 members who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists.
- The Additional Director General of Forests (WL) & Director, Wildlife Preservation is the Member-Secretary to the Board.
- Functions:
- The major function of the National Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
- NBWL advises both Central and State Governments on the matters of promoting wildlife conservation and protection.
- Effectively controlling poaching and illegal trade of wildlife and its products.
- Making recommendations on the setting and managing national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas.
- NBWL carries out Environmental Impact Assessment of projects and activities on wild life or its habitat.
- Reviewing the progress in the field of wildlife conservation in the country and suggesting measures for improvement to the Government.
- Preparing and publishing a status report at least once in two years on wildlife in the country.
- Standing Committee of NBWL:
- It is an independent body under NBWL.
- It comprises not more than 10 members of the NBWL.
- The Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change chairs the Standing Committee.
- The difference between the standing committee and the National Board is that the Standing Committee regulates land diversion within protected areas and eco-sensitive zones, making it a purely project clearance body.
- The NBWL, on the other hand, has the power to deal with policy-level decisions on wildlife.
