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Contents
Source: TOI
What is the News?
According to a report, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) had approved the diversion of around 1,792 hectares of wildlife habitat in protected areas.
What are the projects cleared by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife(SC-NBWL)?
- The SC-NBWL had considered 82 proposals, out of which 25 were for diversion within wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
- Most of the projects cleared were for linear diversion within sanctuaries, national parks, and tiger reserves.
- Linear projects are land-disturbing activities that are linear in nature such as roads, railways, transmission lines, pipelines, or any utility lines.
- Linear projects are known to be especially destructive because they fragment the entire landscape and interrupt the movement range of animals.
- Moreover, the SC-NBWL had also approved the deletion of around 1 lakh hectares of protected areas (PA) from Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) in UP and Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary in MP.
National Board for Wildlife(NBWL):
- NBWL is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act,1972.
- Chairman: Prime minister.
- Vice-Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
- Functions: Its role is advisory in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for the conservation of wildlife in the country.
- The board has the power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
- No alteration of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without the approval of the NBWL.
Standing Committee of NBWL:
- The Standing Committee OF NBWL is chaired by the Union Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change.
- It consists of a member secretary and different members, including a non-official nominated by the minister.
