National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

The National Board for Wildlife concluded its 7th meeting under the chairmanship of PM Narendra Modi, focusing on enhancing efforts to protect India's diverse wildlife through innovative strategies and community involvement. The National Board for Wildlife is an advisory body established to oversee the protection and conservation of wildlife in India. Read on to learn about it!

7th Meet of National Board for Wildlife

The 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 3, 2025, at Gir National Park, Gujarat, introduced several significant wildlife conservation initiatives. This includes:

• Riverine Dolphin Estimation: PM unveils the first riverine dolphin population report, revealing a total of 6,327 dolphins, with Uttar Pradesh having the highest numbers.
• Wildlife Health Centre: PM initiates the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife in Junagadh.
• Asiatic Lion Population Estimation: 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation for 2025 announced along with the creation of a Centre of Excellence at SACON, Coimbatore, to address human-wildlife conflicts.
• Cheetah Reintroduction Expansion: Cheetah reintroduction project expanded to Gandhisagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh and Banni Grasslands in Gujarat.
• New Conservation Projects: A project dedicated to gharial conservation and a National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Plan were introduced.
• Technology in Conservation: Collaboration with institutions for forest fire management and wildlife conflict mitigation was proposed.

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National Board for Wildlife

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is India’s highest advisory body on wildlife conservation. It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Established to ensure the protection of wildlife and forests, the NBWL advises the government on policies and laws related to biodiversity.

National Board of Wildlife Act

The National Board for Wildlife operates under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This act provides the legal framework for wildlife conservation in India. It defines the responsibilities of the NBWL and grants it the authority to approve projects affecting protected areas.

Under this act, the NBWL evaluates proposals that involve the diversion of forest land for development. It also sets guidelines for conservation activities and ensures compliance with environmental laws. The act empowers the NBWL to take necessary actions for the protection of India’s diverse flora and fauna.

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Structure of National Board for Wildlife

The National Board for Wildlife consists of various members, including government officials, environmental experts, and conservationists. The NBWL is constituted of:

• National Board for Wildlife Chairman: Prime Minister of India

• Vice-Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

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

• National Board for Wildlife Members: It has 47 committee members including:

• Chief of Army Staff

• Defence Secretary

• Expenditure Secretary

• 3 Members of Parliament (2 from Lok Sabha, 1 from Rajya Sabha)

• 10 eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists

• 5 representatives from Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in conservation

• Chief Wildlife Wardens from select states

• Standing Committee of NBWL: It is an independent body with up to 10 members of NBWL, responsible for project clearance.

The structure ensures diverse representation, enabling balanced decision-making on wildlife conservation matters.

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Functions of National Board for Wildlife

The National Board for Wildlife has several important functions aimed at preserving India’s biodiversity. It advises the government on conservation policies, approves projects affecting wildlife, and monitors protected areas. Key work areas of NBWL are:

• Advising on Wildlife Protection Policies: Recommends laws and policies to enhance wildlife conservation.

• Approving Projects in Protected Areas: Reviews and approves development projects affecting wildlife habitats.

• Overseeing National Parks and Sanctuaries: Ensures proper management of protected areas. No alteration of boundaries in national parks or sanctuaries without NBWL's approval.

• Preventing Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Develops strategies to reduce conflicts between humans and animals.

• Promoting Conservation Programs: Supports initiatives to protect endangered species and ecosystems.

To sum up, the National Board for Wildlife is essential in shaping India’s wildlife conservation efforts. It ensures sustainable development while protecting biodiversity. Strengthening the NBWL’s role will further enhance conservation initiatives in India.

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