About National Board for Wild Life
- National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a Statutory Board constituted on 22nd September 2003 under Section 5 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The Board is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests. Its recommendations are Advisory in nature.
- The NBWL is chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The NBWL has 47 members including the Chairman. Amongst these, 19 members are ex-officio members.
- The Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment & Forests in the Central Government is the Vice-Chairperson.
- The Standing Committee of NBWL is chaired by Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Director, Wildlife Preservation (Addl. DGF (WL) is the Member Secretary of both NBWL and its Standing Committee.
Background of NBWL
- Due to the rapid decline in wildlife population, the Government of India during 1952 had constituted an advisory body designated as the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL). The Indian Board for Wildlife was chaired by the Prime Minister.
- During the 1970’s the Government of India appointed a committee for recommending legislative measures and administrative machinery for ensuring environmental protection.
- Accordingly, a comprehensive central legislation was enacted in 1972 called the Wildlife (Protection) Act for providing special legal protection to our wildlife and to the endangered species of fauna in particular.
- As per the amendment of the Act in 2002, a provision was incorporated for the constitution of the National Board for Wildlife, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife.
Functions of NBWL
- The Board is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
- It helps both the Central and State governments in framing policies and advice on conservation and promotion of wildlife.
- It carries out impact assessment of projects in areas inhabited by Wildlife.
- It recommends the state governments on alteration of boundaries of a sanctuary or National Park.
- The boundary of a Tiger reserve can only be altered after recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wildlife.
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