According to information provided to Lok Sabha, since August 2014, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny. Wildlife experts have criticized NBWL by describing it as a “clearance house.”
About:
Status: NBWL is a statutory body as it has been constituted under Section 5 A the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Mandate: It is the apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries i.e. Protected Areas.
Timeline: In 2003, NBWL was constituted. Its term lapsed in 2013. In 2014, it was reconstituted (was notified on July 22, 2014).
Composition: It is a 47-member board (including the chairman) which usually meets once a year. It is chaired by Prime minister.
Standing committee:
The environment ministry has delegated all powers of the NBWL to a compliant Standing Committee which regularly meets and clears projects in Protected Areas.
The National Board may, at its discretion, constitute a Standing Committee under sub-section (1) of Section 5B to be chaired by Union Minister in charge of Forests and Wildlife.
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