In 2020, wildlife board cleared land diversion for 48 projects

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.