National Board for Wildlife | राष्ट्रीय वन्यजीव बोर्ड
Why in News?
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife considered and recommended defence and paramilitary infrastructure proposals involving protected landscapes, bringing the statutory wildlife-clearance framework into focus.
What is NBWL?
The National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is the apex national body for advising the government on important matters concerning wildlife conservation.
Legal Basis
Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act provides for constitution of the National Board for Wildlife. The present statutory framework emerged from amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act rather than the Board being first created in 2022.
Who Heads NBWL?
The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the National Board for Wildlife. The Union Minister in charge of Environment and Forests serves as Vice-Chairperson.
Why This Matters for the Question
A statement saying that the Union Environment Minister heads the National Board itself is incorrect. The Prime Minister heads NBWL, although the Environment Minister chairs its Standing Committee.
Composition
The Board includes government representatives, officials, conservation experts and representatives of institutions concerned with wildlife. Members nominated from outside government include eminent conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists.
Main Functions
- Promote conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
- Advise Central and State Governments on wildlife-conservation policies.
- Recommend measures for controlling poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
- Make recommendations relating to national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas.
- Examine projects and activities that may affect wildlife and habitats.
- Review progress in wildlife conservation and suggest improvements.
- Provide policy-level guidance on wildlife protection.
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee performs important project-appraisal functions under the NBWL framework. It is chaired by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Difference Between NBWL and Standing Committee
The full National Board has a broader policy and advisory role. The Standing Committee deals more regularly with proposals involving protected areas and wildlife habitats and makes recommendations regarding such projects.
Important Dates
- 9 September 1972: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 received presidential assent.
- 2002: Major amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act provided the statutory framework for the National Board for Wildlife.
- 2003: The amended provisions relating to the NBWL framework came into force.
- 2025: Project recommendations involving strategic infrastructure in protected landscapes brought the Standing Committee into current-affairs focus.
राष्ट्रीय वन्यजीव बोर्ड | हिंदी में विस्तृत विवरण
NBWL क्या है?
National Board for Wildlife, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 के अंतर्गत गठित statutory body है। यह wildlife conservation से संबंधित मामलों में केंद्र सरकार को सलाह देने वाली शीर्ष राष्ट्रीय संस्था है।
अध्यक्ष
भारत के प्रधानमंत्री NBWL के Chairperson होते हैं। केंद्रीय पर्यावरण, वन और जलवायु परिवर्तन मंत्री इसके Vice-Chairperson होते हैं।
महत्वपूर्ण अंतर
Environment Minister पूरे National Board के अध्यक्ष नहीं होते। वे NBWL की Standing Committee की अध्यक्षता करते हैं। UPSC के लिए यह अंतर अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है।
मुख्य कार्य
- Wildlife और forests के conservation को बढ़ावा देना।
- Central और State Governments को सलाह देना।
- Poaching और illegal wildlife trade को नियंत्रित करने के उपाय सुझाना।
- National parks, sanctuaries और protected areas से संबंधित recommendations देना।
- Wildlife habitats को प्रभावित करने वाले projects की समीक्षा करना।
- देश में wildlife conservation की progress का review करना।
महत्वपूर्ण तिथियाँ
- 1972: Wildlife (Protection) Act enacted।
- 2002: Amendment के माध्यम से NBWL के statutory framework को स्थापित किया गया।
- 2003: संबंधित amended provisions लागू हुए।