National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

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25-Mar-2022: Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life recommends to celebrate October 5 as National Dolphin Day

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupendra Yadav informed  that Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild has recommended to celebrate October 5th as National Dolphin Day  every year as a historic step in creating awareness for conservation of Dolphins. Shri Yadav stated that generating awareness & community participation is integral for conservation of the indicator species. He chaired the 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life here today.

The Standing Committee discussed several important policy issues and the proposals for wildlife clearances forwarded by the State Governments and the Union Territory administrations.

Healthy aquatic ecosystems help in maintaining the overall health of the Planet. Dolphins act as ideal ecological indicators of a healthy aquatic ecosystem and conservation of the Dolphins will, therefore, benefit the survival of the species and also, the people dependent on the aquatic system for their livelihood. The Ministry has been taking up several activities for the protection and conservation of Dolphins and its habitats. Considering that generating awareness amongst the people on the benefits of conservation of Dolphins and participation of people in conservation efforts is imperative, the Standing Committee recommended that every year 5th of October shall be celebrated as National Dolphin Day.

The Standing Committee also considered 46 proposals for wildlife clearance and recommended several projects of public importance and essential for improving livelihood of local communities such as providing electricity in remote villages in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, drinking water supply to villagers in Karnataka. Projects of strategic importance such as road and border outpost in the Union Territory of Ladakh were also recommended during the meeting.

The Standing Committee recommended four proposals for construction of earthen dams in the State of Haryana to improve irrigation facilities. These dams will also recharge ground water in the Sanctuary which will benefit the wildlife habitat.

The Standing Committee also recommended road project under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in the State of Uttarakhand in order to provide connectivity to remote villages with appropriate animal passage structures.

A Project for harnessing the geothermal energy for power generation and other direct heat applications by drilling through rocks overlying the geothermal reservoir in Ladakh was also recommended in the meeting with appropriate mitigation measures.

24-Apr-2020: NBWL nod for coal mining in Assam elephant reserve

The National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has recommended coal mining in a part of an elephant reserve in Assam.

The NBWL’s Standing Committee had on April 7 discussed a proposal for use of 98.59 hectares of land from the Saleki proposed reserve forest land for a coal mining project by North-Easter Coal Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited. The NBWL is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Saleki is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary covering 111.19 sq km of rainforest and several reserve forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

The NBWL had in July 2019 formed a committee comprising its member R. Sukumar, Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden and a representative of the local wildlife division for assessing the mining area.

In the April 7 meeting, Mr. Sukumar stated that 57.20 ha of hilly forestland had already been broken up by the user agency (NECF) and the remaining 41.39 ha was unbroken. He recommended a “cautious approach” for preserving the “basic integrity of this forested hill slope” that is a part of the elephant reserve in Assam adjoining Arunachal Pradesh’s Deomali Elephant Reserve with “a sizeable population of elephants.”

After detailed discussions, the Standing Committee “recommended for approval” the proposal for mining in the broken-up area after the user agency submits a rectified site-specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with the Assam Forest Department.

For the unbroken area, the matter will be considered after the user agency submits a feasibility report for underground mining, and also submits compliance report regarding fulfilment of all other conditions, as recommended in a meeting on January 21.

13-Feb-2019: 99.82% projects in forests got approval

India’s apex National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) — charged with allowing forest land in Protected Areas to be diverted for industry — cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny. Only five projects were rejected since August 2014.

The NBWL, formally headed by the Prime Minister, adjudicates on industrial projects, road diversions or the like that could encroach into Protected Areas or eco-sensitive zones of forests. A smaller Standing Committee of the NBWL is charged with deliberating on the merits of projects that come to it for scrutiny; the committee comprises scientists and government officials and is chaired by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan.

Officials said the increased clearances were due to streamlined processes. For one, we have regular meetings since 2014, and filling applications have largely gone online. Problematic projects are now usually dealt with at the level of State and what ultimately comes to NBWL is one that has already passed scrutiny,” said Siddhanta Das, Director General, Forests.

12-Jan-2019: National Wildlife Board clears ONGC Trishna gas project

The state-owned ONGC Tripura Asset would soon start extracting natural gas from Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Belonia subdivision of Gomati district following National Wildlife Board's clearance of its proposal.

Firm had discovered 10-12 gas bearing wells long back in Trishna Wildlife sanctuary. As the gas bearing zones are in the wildlife sanctuary, permission was needed from the National Wildlife Board.

The National Wildlife Board, following recommendations from the state Wildlife Board, has cleared the project.

After the state Wildlife Board sanctioned the project on September 17, the state government had taken up the issue with National Wildlife Board. ONGC has already began laying the pipeline and the entire process would be completed shortly.

The gas extracted from Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary would be transported to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) owned 100 MW gas-based thermal power project at Monarchak in Sonamura subdivision of Sipahijala district.

The ONGC Tripura Asset has completed the exploration target for 2018-19 three months ahead of schedule. Exploration target of 19 wells was completed by December itself and six more wells would be explored in the remaining three months of the current financial year. ONGC has augmented a record 10 lakh standard cubic metres gas this year compared to the last year.

50 per cent geographical area of the state still remains to be explored and it would be a great achievement if gas is discovered in even 10 per cent area. Tripura unit of ONGC would provide Rs 25 crore to the state government for carrying out Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

2-Jul-2018: 4 species added to recovery programme by Wildlife Board

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recently added four species- the Northern River Terrapin, Clouded Leopard, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale, Red Panda- to a Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species on the recommendation of a Standing Committee.

The programme is one of the three components of the centrally funded scheme, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH).

Started in 2008-09, IDWH is meant for providing support to protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and community reserves except tiger reserves), protection of wildlife outside protected areas and recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats.

So far, 17 species have been identified under the recovery programme. These are the Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugongs, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.

Difficulties in recovery of Critically Endangered species: H S Singh member of the NBWL told the standing committee that the recovery of some of the Critically Endangered or Endangered fauna is a difficult task. Except few cases, most of the recovery activities are restricted to study/research and monitoring. 

While important for conservation, the ground reality is another matter. The recovery plan for the Great Indian Bustard and Wild Buffalo (Central India Population) was discussed two years ago and plan was also sanctioned with financial allocation but it is yet to be grounded. Now, we have very less chance of recovery of these species. The planning should be done before a species reaches to a critical stage.

Wild Buffalo population increased in Chhattisgarh: Once found in abundance across northeast India, northern and central India, the Wild Buffalo now has its last bastions in some pockets in northeast India and Chhattisgarh. According to a survey by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), not more than 50 individuals of the Wild Buffalo remain in three sub-populations in Indravati National Park, Pamed and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh.

According to the WTI, the number of wild buffalo in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh increased from 7 to 11 under the Central India Wild Buffalo Recovery Project, a joint venture between the state forest department and WTI.

Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forest shows that Chhattisgarh was given a total of Rs 210 lakh between 2012-13 and 2014-15 for wild buffalo recovery programme.

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25-Mar-2022: Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life recommends to celebrate October 5 as National Dolphin Day

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupendra Yadav informed  that Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild has recommended to celebrate October 5th as National Dolphin Day  every year as a historic step in creating awareness for conservation of Dolphins. Shri Yadav stated that generating awareness & community participation is integral for conservation of the indicator species. He chaired the 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life here today.

The Standing Committee discussed several important policy issues and the proposals for wildlife clearances forwarded by the State Governments and the Union Territory administrations.

Healthy aquatic ecosystems help in maintaining the overall health of the Planet. Dolphins act as ideal ecological indicators of a healthy aquatic ecosystem and conservation of the Dolphins will, therefore, benefit the survival of the species and also, the people dependent on the aquatic system for their livelihood. The Ministry has been taking up several activities for the protection and conservation of Dolphins and its habitats. Considering that generating awareness amongst the people on the benefits of conservation of Dolphins and participation of people in conservation efforts is imperative, the Standing Committee recommended that every year 5th of October shall be celebrated as National Dolphin Day.

The Standing Committee also considered 46 proposals for wildlife clearance and recommended several projects of public importance and essential for improving livelihood of local communities such as providing electricity in remote villages in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, drinking water supply to villagers in Karnataka. Projects of strategic importance such as road and border outpost in the Union Territory of Ladakh were also recommended during the meeting.

The Standing Committee recommended four proposals for construction of earthen dams in the State of Haryana to improve irrigation facilities. These dams will also recharge ground water in the Sanctuary which will benefit the wildlife habitat.

The Standing Committee also recommended road project under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in the State of Uttarakhand in order to provide connectivity to remote villages with appropriate animal passage structures.

A Project for harnessing the geothermal energy for power generation and other direct heat applications by drilling through rocks overlying the geothermal reservoir in Ladakh was also recommended in the meeting with appropriate mitigation measures.

24-Apr-2020: NBWL nod for coal mining in Assam elephant reserve

The National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has recommended coal mining in a part of an elephant reserve in Assam.

The NBWL’s Standing Committee had on April 7 discussed a proposal for use of 98.59 hectares of land from the Saleki proposed reserve forest land for a coal mining project by North-Easter Coal Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited. The NBWL is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Saleki is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary covering 111.19 sq km of rainforest and several reserve forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

The NBWL had in July 2019 formed a committee comprising its member R. Sukumar, Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden and a representative of the local wildlife division for assessing the mining area.

In the April 7 meeting, Mr. Sukumar stated that 57.20 ha of hilly forestland had already been broken up by the user agency (NECF) and the remaining 41.39 ha was unbroken. He recommended a “cautious approach” for preserving the “basic integrity of this forested hill slope” that is a part of the elephant reserve in Assam adjoining Arunachal Pradesh’s Deomali Elephant Reserve with “a sizeable population of elephants.”

After detailed discussions, the Standing Committee “recommended for approval” the proposal for mining in the broken-up area after the user agency submits a rectified site-specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with the Assam Forest Department.

For the unbroken area, the matter will be considered after the user agency submits a feasibility report for underground mining, and also submits compliance report regarding fulfilment of all other conditions, as recommended in a meeting on January 21.

13-Feb-2019: 99.82% projects in forests got approval

India’s apex National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) — charged with allowing forest land in Protected Areas to be diverted for industry — cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny. Only five projects were rejected since August 2014.

The NBWL, formally headed by the Prime Minister, adjudicates on industrial projects, road diversions or the like that could encroach into Protected Areas or eco-sensitive zones of forests. A smaller Standing Committee of the NBWL is charged with deliberating on the merits of projects that come to it for scrutiny; the committee comprises scientists and government officials and is chaired by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan.

Officials said the increased clearances were due to streamlined processes. For one, we have regular meetings since 2014, and filling applications have largely gone online. Problematic projects are now usually dealt with at the level of State and what ultimately comes to NBWL is one that has already passed scrutiny,” said Siddhanta Das, Director General, Forests.

12-Jan-2019: National Wildlife Board clears ONGC Trishna gas project

The state-owned ONGC Tripura Asset would soon start extracting natural gas from Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Belonia subdivision of Gomati district following National Wildlife Board's clearance of its proposal.

Firm had discovered 10-12 gas bearing wells long back in Trishna Wildlife sanctuary. As the gas bearing zones are in the wildlife sanctuary, permission was needed from the National Wildlife Board.

The National Wildlife Board, following recommendations from the state Wildlife Board, has cleared the project.

After the state Wildlife Board sanctioned the project on September 17, the state government had taken up the issue with National Wildlife Board. ONGC has already began laying the pipeline and the entire process would be completed shortly.

The gas extracted from Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary would be transported to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) owned 100 MW gas-based thermal power project at Monarchak in Sonamura subdivision of Sipahijala district.

The ONGC Tripura Asset has completed the exploration target for 2018-19 three months ahead of schedule. Exploration target of 19 wells was completed by December itself and six more wells would be explored in the remaining three months of the current financial year. ONGC has augmented a record 10 lakh standard cubic metres gas this year compared to the last year.

50 per cent geographical area of the state still remains to be explored and it would be a great achievement if gas is discovered in even 10 per cent area. Tripura unit of ONGC would provide Rs 25 crore to the state government for carrying out Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

2-Jul-2018: 4 species added to recovery programme by Wildlife Board

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recently added four species- the Northern River Terrapin, Clouded Leopard, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale, Red Panda- to a Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species on the recommendation of a Standing Committee.

The programme is one of the three components of the centrally funded scheme, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH).

Started in 2008-09, IDWH is meant for providing support to protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and community reserves except tiger reserves), protection of wildlife outside protected areas and recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats.

So far, 17 species have been identified under the recovery programme. These are the Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugongs, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.

Difficulties in recovery of Critically Endangered species: H S Singh member of the NBWL told the standing committee that the recovery of some of the Critically Endangered or Endangered fauna is a difficult task. Except few cases, most of the recovery activities are restricted to study/research and monitoring. 

While important for conservation, the ground reality is another matter. The recovery plan for the Great Indian Bustard and Wild Buffalo (Central India Population) was discussed two years ago and plan was also sanctioned with financial allocation but it is yet to be grounded. Now, we have very less chance of recovery of these species. The planning should be done before a species reaches to a critical stage.

Wild Buffalo population increased in Chhattisgarh: Once found in abundance across northeast India, northern and central India, the Wild Buffalo now has its last bastions in some pockets in northeast India and Chhattisgarh. According to a survey by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), not more than 50 individuals of the Wild Buffalo remain in three sub-populations in Indravati National Park, Pamed and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh.

According to the WTI, the number of wild buffalo in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh increased from 7 to 11 under the Central India Wild Buffalo Recovery Project, a joint venture between the state forest department and WTI.

Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forest shows that Chhattisgarh was given a total of Rs 210 lakh between 2012-13 and 2014-15 for wild buffalo recovery programme.

2017

 

6-Jun-2017: National Board of Wildlife clears Rutland Island for DRDO’s Missile Testing Project

The country’s long-range missile test facility at South Andamans’ Rutland Island has finally secured the clearance of the National Board of Wildlife, which has been held up since 2012. The Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife in a meeting held on May 15 approved the project, considering the strategic importance of the project for country’s defence.

The proposal involves diversion of 49.978 acres forest of which 0.84 ha falls in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park and 49.138 ha reserve forest within 10km of the Eco Sensitive Zone. The island is very rich in marine life and was once home to the indigenous Andamanese group ‘Jangil’ or Rutland Jarawa. DRDO has been struggling to get its long range missile test facility since 2012 when the proposal was moved across the government.

However, it has been consistently stalled due to objections by the environment ministry. The Proposal for Wildlife clearance for creation of Infrastructure Facilities for Strategic Surveillance System at Rutland Island had been moved by DRDO. Rutland Island is vital to DRDO’s long-term plans to have a comprehensive testing facility to identify and track long-range missile tests.

The island is located at an ideal distance from the mainland where tests are typically launched from. As of now, long-range missile tests are being carried out from the Odisha coast and are tracked by naval vessels on a trajectory into the Bay of Bengal. Most of the long-range tests for missiles like Agni IV and V have to be tracked over sea, with specialised vessels noting the ‘hit zone’ into the water.

DRDO requires a land-based test area as well to accurately track its long-range missiles, with the island in the Andamans being ideally located due to its distance from mainland. DRDO is also looking at setting up tracking stations along the Andaman Islands to track incoming test missiles. Besides, a special purpose vessel for tracking missile launches is currently under construction at the Vizag based Hindustan Shipyard Limited.

The state Chief Wildlife Warden has recommended the project with conditions such as preparation of a specific marine and terrestrial wildlife conservation plan and installation of essential deflectors and anti-radiation screens around satellite antennas to reduce the impact of radiation on biodiversity in the proposed area. It has also been specified that minimum number of vehicles should be used inside Rutland Island during constructional and operational phase of the project.

Vessels/boats used for construction should use the approved route for navigation with larger vessels to enter into the National Park only during high tide. The project authority has also been asked to take necessary permission from the Chief Wild Life Warden while entering into waters of Marine National Park while approaching Rutland Island. No forest material of fire wood is to be collected from forest area and no effluent or domestic sewage (liquid or solid waste) shall be disposed into the sea or nearby forest area.