Ex-forest officials, conservationists challenge functioning of India’s apex Wildlife Board in Delhi HC
The petitioners argue that the National Board for Wildlife and its Standing Committee (SC-NBWL) have become a ‘clearing house’ that routinely diverts protected areas to roads, mining, industry and other non-conservation projects
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01The National Board for Wildlife is India's apex wildlife conservation body.
- 02The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) is responsible for recommending projects in protected areas to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- 03According to the petitioners, the SC-NBWL has become a 'clearing house' that routinely diverts protected areas to non-conservation projects.
- 04The petitioners argue that this diversion of protected areas is being done without proper scrutiny or consideration for conservation values.
- 05The National Board for Wildlife was established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- 06The SC-NBWL has recommended several projects in protected areas, including roads, mining, and industry, which have been approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Trap alerts
- Most people think that the National Board for Wildlife is responsible for implementing conservation projects in India, but actually it is only a recommending body.
- Most people think that the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has no role in recommending non-conservation projects in protected areas, but actually it has been accused of doing so.
Mains Practice Question
Critically examine the role of apex wildlife boards in protecting India's biodiversity and their implications for conservation efforts.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
Ex-forest officials, conservationists challenged the functioning of which Indian board in the Delhi High Court?
- A.National Board for Wildlife
- B.Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
- C.Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- D.Forest Survey of India
The National Board for Wildlife is the apex wildlife body in India, responsible for advising the government on wildlife-related matters.
What type of projects have been allegedly diverted to protected areas by the Standing Committee-National Board for Wildlife?
- A.Renewable energy projects
- B.Road construction and mining projects
- C.Urban development and housing projects
- D.Agricultural irrigation projects
The Standing Committee-National Board for Wildlife has been accused of diverting protected areas to roads, mining, industry, and other non-conservation projects.
What is the alleged role of the National Board for Wildlife's Standing Committee in conservation efforts?
- A.Clearing house for conservation proposals
- B.Advisory body on wildlife-related matters
- C.Implementing agency for conservation projects
- D.Regulatory authority for protected areas
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has been accused of becoming a 'clearing house' that routinely diverts protected areas to non-conservation projects.
Consider the following statements regarding National Board for Wildlife and its Standing Committee: 1. The National Board for Wildlife has been functioning as per its mandate. 2. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife has become a 'clearing house' that routinely diverts protected areas to roads, mining, industry and other non-conservation projects. 3. The National Board for Wildlife is headed by the Prime Minister of India. How many of the above statements are correct?
- A.Only one
- B.Only two
- C.All three
- D.None
Statement 1 is false because the petitioners argue that the National Board for Wildlife has become a 'clearing house' that routinely diverts protected areas. Statement 2 is true as per the source text. Statement 3 is false because there is no information in the source text about who heads the National Board for Wildlife.