{"id":336058,"date":"2025-05-10T09:00:39","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T03:30:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=336058"},"modified":"2025-05-11T19:12:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T13:42:53","slug":"day-2-prelims-20-environment-related-international-and-national-organisations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/day-2-prelims-20-environment-related-international-and-national-organisations\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 2 Prelims 20+: Environment-related International and National Organisations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In today\u2019s <em>Prelims 20+<\/em>, we focus on Environment-related International and National Organisations\u2014an important segment for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. International organizations like UNEP and IPCC play a vital role in global climate action and environmental monitoring, with their reports guiding countries in formulating policies for a sustainable future.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse;border-style: solid;height: 502px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%;text-align: center;height: 30px\"><strong>Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 570px\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%;text-align: left;height: 472px\"><a href=\"#h1\">United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h2\">United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h3\">Global Environment Facility (GEF)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h4\">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h5\">International Tropic Timber Organisation (ITTO)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h6\">United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h7\">International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h8\">Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h9\">International Whaling Commission (IWC)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h10\">World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h11\">Wetland International (WI)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h12\">BirdLife International<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h13\">National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h14\">Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h15\">Central Zoo Authority (CZA)<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h16\">Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h17\">National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h18\">National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h19\">National Green Tribunal<\/a><br \/>\n<a style=\"font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit\" href=\"#h20\">Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"#h21\">Click here to download the PDF of\u00a0 Environment related International and National Organisations<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><a id=\"h1\"><\/a>United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is an <\/span><b>international environmental<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> authority that wor<\/span><b>ks to establish a global environmental agenda<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and promote the <\/span><b>efficient implementation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of the environmental dimension of the <\/span><b>United Nations Sustainable Development Programme.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Established:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was established by <\/span><b>Maurice Strong<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, its first director, after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in <\/span><b>June 1972.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Headquarters:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Nairobi, Kenya<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a member of the United Nations Development Group, UNEP <\/span><b>aims to help the world meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNEP hosts the <\/span><b>secretariats of several major multilateral environmental agreements and conventions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, including:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Minamata Convention on Mercury<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Basel Convention (on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rotterdam Convention (on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stockholm Convention (on Persistent Organic Pollutants)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vienna Convention (for the Protection of the Ozone Layer)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Montreal Protocol (on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bamako Convention (on the Ban of the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Carpathian Convention<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tehran Convention (on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Climate &amp; Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It releases <\/span><b>many reports <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in the field of sustainable development. Some are-<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Emissions Gap Report<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Global Resources Outlook<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Food Waste Index Report<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Global Environment Outlook<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Plastics Treaty Negotiation Reports<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adaptation Gap Report<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Global Air Quality Assessment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h2\"><\/a>United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is the UN&#8217;s <\/span><b>global development network<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It helps countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to <\/span><b>achieve the Sustainable Development Goals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Established: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was <\/span><b>established in 1965<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by the General Assembly of the United Nations.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNDP is based on the <\/span><b>merging <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of the United Nations Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, created in 1949, and the United Nations Special Fund, established in 1958.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Headquarters:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> New York City, United States, situated within the United Nations headquarters complex<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mission and vision:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Its mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Work areas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Their work is concentrated on <\/span><b>three main focus areas<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sustainable development<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Democratic governance and Peacebuilding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Climate and disaster resilience<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNDP helps countries <\/span><b>attract and use aid effectively<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is considered a<\/span><b>n executive board within the UN General Assembly (UNGA).<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>UNDP Executive Board<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is made up of representatives from <\/span><b>36 countries <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">worldwide, who serve on a <\/span><b>rotating basis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Funding:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> UNDP is primarily <\/span><b>funded by voluntary contributions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from member states, as well as resources from other sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNDP is <\/span><b>central <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">to the <\/span><b>United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> a network that operates in almost <\/span><b>170 countries and unites the 40 UN funds, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">programmes, specialised agencies and other bodies working to advance the <\/span><b>2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Reports published:<\/b> The annual <b>Human Development Report<\/b> is UNDP\u2019s flagship independent publication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h3\"><\/a>Global Environment Facility (GEF)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a <\/span><b>family of funds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Established:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was established on the <\/span><b>eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of UNFCC to help tackle our planet\u2019s most pressing environmental problems.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Secretariat:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Its secretariat is based in <\/span><b>Washington, D.C.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Financial Assistance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It provides financial assistance for <\/span><b>five major international environmental conventions:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Minamata Convention on Mercury.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Members:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It has 184 member countries, including India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It has a unique governing structure organized around an<\/span><b> Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat, 18 agencies,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, and the Evaluation Office.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>GEF Trust Fund: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>Fund <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">was established to <\/span><b>help tackle our planet\u2019s most pressing environmental problems.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Funds are available to <\/span><b>developing countries and countries with economies in transition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h4\"><\/a>Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is the UN body in charge<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of <\/span><b>examining climate change science.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Established:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was established by the <\/span><b>World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Membership:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The IPCC is an organisation of governments that are members of the <\/span><b>United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IPCC currently has <\/span><b>195 members.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Objective:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> To assess scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of human-induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change, and options for mitigation and adaptation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IPCC <\/span><b>provides governments with scientific information<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for use in developing climate <\/span><b>policies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>IPCC Reports:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The main activity of the IPCC is the <\/span><b>preparation of reports assessing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the state of knowledge of climate change. These include <\/span><b>assessment reports, special reports and methodology reports.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">IPCC reports are also <\/span><b>key inputs into international climate change negotiations <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (<\/span><b>UNFCCC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IPCC d<\/span><b>oes not undertake new research or monitor climate-related data.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Instead, it <\/span><b>conducts assessments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of the state of climate change knowledge on the basis of published and peer-reviewed scientific and technical literature.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scientists <\/span><b>volunteer <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Assessments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The IPPC\u2019s <\/span><b>first assessment report was released in 1990.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IPCC finished its S<\/span><b>ixth Assessment Report cycle in 2023<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and has now <\/span><b>entered its Seventh Assessment Report cycle.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>IPCC working groups<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It comprises <\/span><b>three working groups<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which focus on <\/span><b>different aspects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of climate science and climate change response.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Working Group I:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> looks at the physics of climate change;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Working Group II:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> examines climate change impacts and adaptation;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Working Group III:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> focuses on climate change mitigation;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The three working groups release <\/span><b>separate reports<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which are then compiled into a synthesis report.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Recognition:<\/b> In <b>2007 <\/b>the IPCC shared, with Al Gore, the <b>Nobel Peace Prize<\/b> for disseminating knowledge about human-caused climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h5\"><\/a>International Tropic Timber Organisation (ITTO)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is an <\/span><b>intergovernmental organization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> promoting the s<\/span><b>ustainable management and conservation of tropical forest<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">s and the expansion and diversification of <\/span><b>international trade in tropical timber<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from sustainably managed and legally harvested forests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Establishment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was established under the <\/span><b>International Tropical Timber Agreement 1983 (ITTA 1983),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> negotiated under the auspices of the <\/span><b>UN Conference on Trade and Development.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Headquarters:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Yokohama, Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Financial assistance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It facilitates <\/span><b>funding for forestry projects in tropical timber producing countries.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Funding of ITTO:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> All projects are <\/span><b>funded by voluntary contributions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Members:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 75 countries (including <\/span><b>India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Governance:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">International Tropical Timber Council (<\/span><b>ITTC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">) is the <\/span><b>governing body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of the ITTO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its members manage about <b>80 per cent of the world&#8217;s tropical forests<\/b> and are responsible for <b>90 per cent of the global tropical timber trade.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h6\"><\/a>United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It promotes the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Established:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was established in 2000 by the UN Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Forum meets <\/span><b>annually <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">at the UN Headquarters in New York, bringing together representatives of all member states and forest-related agencies for high-level dialogue on technical matters in odd years and policy matters in even years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The forum has universal membership, and is composed of all Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India is a <\/span><b>founding member of UNFF<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The declaration of the 19th session <\/span><b>aims <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">to achieve agreement on a high-level political commitment to forest protection, with specific actions for effective implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF) by UNFF and its stakeholders.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h7\"><\/a>International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a global environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of nature and the sustainable use of natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It functions as a unique membership-based union comprising both <\/span><b>government bodies and civil society organizations (CSOs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">IUCN provides knowledge, data, tools, and policy support to <\/span><b>governments, NGOs, private entities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and other stakeholders to integrate nature conservation with economic development and human well-being.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Established in <\/span><b>1948<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the IUCN has evolved into the <\/span><b>world\u2019s largest and most diverse environmental network<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, with over <\/span><b>1,300 member organizations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IUCN is best known for its <\/span><b>Red List of Threatened Species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, initiated in <\/span><b>1964<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which is the most comprehensive global inventory of the conservation status of plant and animal species.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Within the Red List framework, the term <\/span><b>\u201cthreatened\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> refers to species categorized as <\/span><b>Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>Vulnerable (VU)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h8\"><\/a>Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>Tropical Forest Alliance 2020 (TFA 2020)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was established in <\/span><b>2012 during the Rio+20 Conference<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It operates as a <\/span><b>Public-Private Partnership (PPP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, wherein participating entities voluntarily collaborate\u2014individually and collectively\u2014to reduce tropical deforestation linked to the production of key commodities such as <\/span><b>soy, palm oil, beef, and paper and pulp<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Alliance addresses the underlying <\/span><b>drivers of tropical deforestation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> through a combination of <\/span><b>policy interventions, market-based strategies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><b>communication initiatives<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">TFA is an initiative under the <\/span><b>World Economic Forum\u2019s platform on Shaping the Future of Global Public Goods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its <\/span><b>secretariat is hosted by the World Economic Forum<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Alliance aims to <\/span><b>cut deforestation by half by 2020 and to completely stop it by 2030<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h9\"><\/a>International Whaling Commission (IWC)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is an <\/span><b>intergovernmental environmental organization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> established to <\/span><b>conserve whale populations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>regulate whaling activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Its legal foundation is the <\/span><b>International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, signed in <\/span><b>1946<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, making it one of the <\/span><b>earliest international environmental agreements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IWC currently has <\/span><b>88 member countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, all of which are signatories to the Convention..<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Convention includes a <\/span><b>legally binding Schedule<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which forms an integral part of the agreement. This Schedule covers various regulatory provisions, including <\/span><b>catch limits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which can be <\/span><b>amended by the Commission<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, typically during its <\/span><b>biennial meetings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The IWC has also introduced a <\/span><b>Strategic Plan for Whale Watching<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, aimed at promoting this activity responsibly and in line with <\/span><b>international best practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition to regulation, the Commission conducts <\/span><b>scientific research<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on <\/span><b>cetaceans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (including whales, dolphins, and porpoises), maintains <\/span><b>scientific databases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and publishes the <\/span><b>Journal of Cetacean Research and Management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>India is a member state of the IWC.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h10\"><\/a>World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is the <\/span><b>world\u2019s leading non-profit conservation organization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, operating in <\/span><b>over 100 countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was <\/span><b>founded in 1961<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and has its <\/span><b>headquarters in Gland, Switzerland<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WWF\u2019s core mission is to <\/span><b>conserve nature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and address the <\/span><b>most critical threats to biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on Earth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It works globally at all levels\u2014<\/span><b>with communities, governments, and organizations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2014to create and implement <\/span><b>innovative solutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that protect ecosystems, wildlife, and human settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">WWF focuses its efforts on key areas such as <\/span><b>climate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>forests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>food<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>freshwater<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>oceans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><b>wildlife<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0It undertakes various projects in collaboration with international partners, local communities, and national governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Notable campaigns by WWF include <\/span><b>Earth Hour<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the <\/span><b>Debt-for-Nature Swap<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The organization also publishes the <\/span><b>Living Planet Report<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> every two years since <\/span><b>1998<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which assesses the <\/span><b>state of the planet&#8217;s health<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the <\/span><b>impact of human activity on nature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h11\"><\/a>Wetland International (WI)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>It <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">is a <\/span><b>global, independent, not-for-profit organization<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> dedicated to the <\/span><b>conservation and restoration of wetlands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and their resources for the benefit of <\/span><b>people and biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0It operates with the support of <\/span><b>government and NGO members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> from across the globe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The organization has a strong presence in the <\/span><b>developing world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and maintains around <\/span><b>20 offices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, including <\/span><b>regional, national, and project offices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> spread across all continents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Its <\/span><b>headquarters is located in Ede, the Netherlands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h12\"><\/a>BirdLife International<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>BirdLife International<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a <\/span><b>global partnership of conservation organizations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that works to conserve <\/span><b>birds, their habitats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and overall <\/span><b>biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, while promoting the <\/span><b>sustainable use of natural resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in collaboration with local communities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is considered the <\/span><b>world\u2019s largest partnership for bird conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, uniting <\/span><b>national organizations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in over <\/span><b>100 countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The organization was <\/span><b>formerly known as the International Committee for Bird Preservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Headquarters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: United Kingdom<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span> <b>Regional Offices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It serves as the <\/span><b>official Red List Authority for birds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for the <\/span><b>International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, playing a key role in assessing the conservation status of bird species globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One of its major contributions is the identification and publication of the <\/span><b>Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which are crucial for bird conservation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It publishes a <\/span><b>quarterly magazine called <\/b><b><i>World Birdwatch<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, featuring authoritative articles and updates on global bird conservation efforts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h13\"><\/a>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a statutory body constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the <\/span><b>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0It is worth noting that the <\/span><b>Wildlife Act of 1972<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> did not originally include the <\/span><b>NBWL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The NBWL was established later through an amendment in <\/span><b>2002<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It replaced the <\/span><b>Indian Board for Wildlife<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, which was formed in <\/span><b>1952<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The NBWL is tasked with advising the government on wildlife conservation matters and granting approvals for projects within <\/span><b>protected areas (PAs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the <\/span><b>Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, activities such as constructing tourist lodges, altering PA boundaries, diverting or destroying wildlife habitats, and de-notifying <\/span><b>Tiger Reserves<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> cannot proceed without the <\/span><b>NBWL\u2019s<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> approval or recommendations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Structure of NBWL<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Chairperson<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The <\/span><b>Prime Minister<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Vice-Chairperson<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The Minister in charge of the <\/span><b>Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Member-Secretary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The <\/span><b>Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> &amp; <\/span><b>Director, Wildlife Preservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3 Members of Parliament (2 from Lok Sabha and 1 from Rajya Sabha).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5 <\/span><b>Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">10 eminent <\/span><b>conservationists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>ecologists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><b>environmentalists<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> nominated by the central government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Secretaries of various government departments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>Chief of Army Staff<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Standing Committee of NBWL<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>Standing Committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is an independent body under the <\/span><b>NBWL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is chaired by the <\/span><b>Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0It consists of not more than <\/span><b>ten members<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> nominated by the Minister from amongst the members of the <\/span><b>NBWL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While the <\/span><b>NBWL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves as a policy-making body that advises and contributes to the Central Government\u2019s wildlife protection policies, the <\/span><b>Standing Committee<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> primarily focuses on project clearances.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h14\"><\/a>Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0It was established in 1962 under the <\/span><b>Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was started under the stewardship of <\/span><b>Rukmini Devi Arundale<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a well-known humanitarian.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It functions as a <\/span><b>statutory advisory body under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to ensure animal welfare and prevent cruelty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, along with official members from various ministries and non-official members, including animal welfare activists and veterinarians.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Membership:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Board<\/span><b> comprises 28 members, each serving a term of three years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It includes representatives from various government organizations, animal rights activists, and parliamentarians.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is headquartered in Ballabgarh, Haryana.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Powers of AWBI<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Advisory Powers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Recommends improvements in animal welfare laws to the government.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Regulatory Powers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ensures enforcement of animal protection laws and issues guidelines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Financial Powers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Grants funds for shelters, medical care, and rescue operations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Monitoring Powers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Oversees performing animals, slaughterhouses, and transport conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Functions of AWBI<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Legal &amp; Policy Advisory:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Suggests amendments to animal welfare laws.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Financial Assistance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Funds animal shelters, ambulances, and birth control programs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Public Awareness:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Conducts campaigns and training programs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Monitoring:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Regulates circuses, films, and animal use in entertainment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Enforcement of Rules:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Implements laws like Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and Transport of Animals Rules.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h15\"><\/a>Central Zoo Authority (CZA)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a statutory, autonomous body established by the Government of India under the <\/span><b>Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was formed in <\/span><b>1992<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> under the provisions of the <\/span><b>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The CZA&#8217;s primary responsibility is to enforce <\/span><b>minimum standards and norms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for the <\/span><b>healthcare<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>well-being<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of animals housed in zoos across India. In addition to this, the CZA also oversees zoo management, ensuring that these institutions maintain the welfare of animals, and it provides <\/span><b>technical<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <\/span><b>financial support<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> when needed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every zoo in India must be recognized by the CZA to operate. The Authority evaluates zoos based on various prescribed parameters and grants recognition based on compliance with these guidelines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The main functions of the CZA include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ensuring the proper management of zoos.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Setting standards for animal care and the upkeep of zoo facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Offering support to improve zoo infrastructure and animal welfare programs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Monitoring and ensuring that zoos comply with national and international standards for animal care.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h16\"><\/a>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <\/span><b>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is a statutory, multi-disciplinary body established by the <\/span><b>Government of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to combat organized wildlife crime across the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was constituted through an amendment to the <\/span><b>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Nodal Ministry: <\/b><b>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Headquarters: <\/b><b>New Delhi<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Mandate of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Under the <\/span><b>Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the WCCB is mandated to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Gather Intelligence<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on organized wildlife crime and share it with enforcement agencies for prompt action.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Maintain a Centralized Database<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to track and monitor wildlife crimes nationwide.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Coordinate Internationally<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with foreign authorities and global organizations to tackle cross-border wildlife crime.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Build Capacity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of enforcement agencies for scientific investigation and assist states in wildlife crime prosecutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Advise the Government<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on wildlife crime issues of national and international importance, including legal and policy matters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Support Customs Authorities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in inspecting flora and fauna consignments as per the Wildlife Protection Act, <\/span><b>CITES<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and <\/span><b>EXIM Policy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Operate an Online Database System<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for real-time data and trend analysis, aiding preventive action and operations like <\/span><b>SAVE KURMA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>THUNDERBIRD<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>WILDNET<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><b>LESKNOW<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and others.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h17\"><\/a>National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>It <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">was registered as a society on <\/span><b>12th August 2011<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> under the <\/span><b>Societies Registration Act, 1860<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<li>It serves as the implementation arm of the <b>National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)<\/b>, which was constituted under the provisions of the <b>Environment (Protection) Act (EPA), 1986<\/b>.\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">NGRBA was dissolved in 2016 and replaced by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Management of River Ganga.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The objective of the National Mission for Clean Ganga is to reduce pollution in the Ganga River and ensure its rejuvenation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The operational area of this project covers the Ganges Basin and all the states through which the Ganga River flows, including Delhi.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h18\"><\/a>National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a <\/span><b>statutory authority<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> set up under India\u2019s <\/span><b>Biological Diversity Act (2002).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It came into existence in <\/span><b>2003<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, with its <\/span><b>headquarters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in <\/span><b>Chennai<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Function:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The NBA provides <\/span><b>facilitative, regulatory, and advisory functions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to the Government of India on issues of conservation, sustainable use, and fair &amp; equitable sharing of benefits arising from the country\u2019s biological resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Decentralised Approach:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Under the Biodiversity Act, 2002 and Biodiversity Rules, 2004, the following two other entities have been established to complement the National Biodiversity Authority:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">State Biodiversity Boards (SBB) at the State level, and<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at the local village level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h19\"><\/a>National Green Tribunal<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The National Green Tribunal was established in <\/span><b>2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for effe<\/span><b>ctive and expeditious disposal <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a <\/span><b>specialized body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> equipped with the necessary expe<\/span><b>rtise to handle environmental disputes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> involving multi-disciplinary issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is powered to safeguard the b<\/span><b>asic right to have a safe environment for individuals as part of Article 21 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of the Constitution. (<\/span><b>Subhash Kumar vs State of Bihar).<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Governed by:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Tribunal sh<\/span><b>all not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> but shall be <\/span><b>guided by principles of natural justice.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Fast disposal of cases:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally <\/span><b>within 6 months of filing of the case.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Locations:<\/b> <b>New Delhi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and <\/span><b>Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> shall be the other <\/span><b>four place<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of sitting of the Tribunal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Composition of NGT:<\/b> The Tribunal comprises:\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chairperson: A retired Supreme Court judge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Judicial members: Retired High Court judges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Expert members: Professionals with at least 15 years of experience in fields related to environment or forest conservation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Simple approach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 Aggrieved parties may approach the Tribunal in person by submitting an application and <\/span><b>no need of advocate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Orders are binding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 Its orders are <\/span><b>enforceable <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and have powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Orders are not final<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 It has powers to <\/span><b>review its own decisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and if this fails, the decision can be challenged before the Supreme Court within 90 days.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"h20\"><\/a>Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a <\/span><b>statutory body<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Government of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was <\/span><b>established to manage and utilize funds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> collected as compensation from user agencies that <\/span><b>divert forest land<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for non-forest purposes, ensuring ecological restoration and sustainable forest management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Origin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: CAMPA was first constituted in <\/span><b>2004 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">following a <\/span><b>Supreme Court directive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to manage funds collected for compensatory afforestation, net present value (NPV) of forest land, and other related charges from user agencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Statutory Status:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The <\/span><b>Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, formalized CAMPA\u2019s structure and operations, creating the <\/span><b>National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (NCAF) and State Compensatory Afforestation Funds (SCAFs) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">under the <\/span><b>Public Account of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and the respective states.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Fund Flow:<\/b> <b>90<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">% of the collected funds are allocated to <\/span><b>State Funds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and 10% to the National Fund.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Objectives and Functions<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Primary Aim:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> To mitigate the adverse impact of forest land diversion by promoting afforestation and regeneration activities, thereby compensating for lost forest cover.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Fund Utilization:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Funds are used for:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Compensatory afforestation on non-forest or degraded forest land<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conservation and management of existing forests and wildlife<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Infrastructure development for forest protection and management<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Assisted natural regeneration and biodiversity enhancement<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Institutional Mechanism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> CAMPA ensures that funds are released and utilized quickly, efficiently, and transparently through a well-defined mechanism.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Structure:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>National CAMPA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Functions as an advisory and monitoring body, laying down guidelines, providing technical support, and reviewing state-level plans and activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>State CAMPA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Each state has its own authority to implement and monitor afforestation and conservation activities using the funds received.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"h21\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/International_National-Organisations-in-news.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to download the PDF of Environment-related International and National Organisations<\/p>\n<p><em>To Read more about Prelims 20+ initiative<\/em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/prelims20-a-free-initative-for-cse-prelims-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In today\u2019s Prelims 20+, we focus on Environment-related International and National Organisations\u2014an important segment for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. International organizations like UNEP and IPCC play a vital role in global climate action and environmental monitoring, with their reports guiding countries in formulating policies for a sustainable future. Table of Content United Nations Environment&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/day-2-prelims-20-environment-related-international-and-national-organisations\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Day 2 Prelims 20+: Environment-related International and National Organisations<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10367,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-336058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prelims-20","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10367"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=336058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336058\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=336058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=336058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=336058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}