National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
Context:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), chaired by the Union Environment Minister recently recommended approval for 12 key defence projects in Ladakh.
These projects are located within the Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary
This action is part of a push to ramp up infrastructure near the LAC, deemed necessary due to the increasing assertiveness of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)
About the NBWL:
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory body, constituted by the Central Government under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA)
The Standing Committee (SC-NBWL)
The NBWL constitutes its Standing Committee (SC-NBWL) as per Section 5B of the WLPA
The National Board for Wildlife has 47 members with the Prime Minister in the Chair. The Minister in charge of the MoEF in GOI is the Vice-Chairperson.
Other members include
three Members of Parliament (two from Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha),
five NGOs and
10 eminent ecologists, conservationists and environmentalists.
It is responsible for considering proposals for developmental activities inside wildlife habitats and eco-sensitive zones.
The board is advisory in nature and advises the GOI in conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
Key Powers and Required Approvals
NBWL/SCNBWL approval is mandatory for:
Activities within Sanctuaries (under Section 29) and National Parks (under Section 35(6))
Construction of tourist lodges, hotels, zoos, and safari parks inside a sanctuary
Activities within Tiger Reserves
Any alteration of the boundaries of a Sanctuary, National Park, or Tiger Reserve.
Specific projects within Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ), or within 10 km of a protected area if an ESZ has not been notified.
Mining is not permissible within National Parks, sanctuaries, and their notified ESZs
Proposals must be submitted online via the PARIVESH portal.