National Board for Wildlife

The National Board for Wildlife is the Union-level statutory body that guides wildlife conservation policy in India. Constituted under Section 5A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it promotes the conservation and development of wildlife and forests and advises governments on related measures.

Composition of the Board

The Board is chaired by the Prime Minister, while the Union minister in charge of forests and wildlife is its Vice-Chairperson. The Director of Wildlife Preservation serves as its Member-Secretary.

• Its members include three Members of Parliament, five persons representing wildlife conservation non-governmental organisations, and ten eminent conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists.
• It includes ten State or Union Territory representatives, selected by rotation, along with designated senior Union officials and heads of specified scientific, conservation and research institutions.

Core statutory mandate

The Board's functions are specified in Section 5C of the Act.

• It frames policies and advises the Union and State governments on wildlife conservation, control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products.
• It recommends the establishment and management of national parks, sanctuaries and other protected areas, including restrictions on activities within them.
• It carries out, or causes to be carried out, impact assessments of projects and activities affecting wildlife or its habitat.
• It periodically reviews the progress of wildlife conservation and suggests measures for improvement.
• It must prepare and publish a wildlife status report at least once every two years.

Standing Committee and nature of its role

Under Section 5B, the Board may constitute a Standing Committee and delegate to it such powers and functions as it considers necessary. The Board combines policy advice, conservation review and scrutiny of activities affecting wildlife habitats; its role is principally recommendatory and supervisory, while statutory permissions remain governed by the applicable wildlife, forest and environmental laws.