National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

Context: India’s apex National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny. Only five projects were rejected since August 2014.

About National Board for Wildlife:

1. It is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2. Its roles is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country.
3. Primary function of the Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
4. It has power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
5. No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without approval of the NBWL.
6. Composition: The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. It has 47 members including the Prime Minister. Among these, 19 members are ex-officio members. 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.

Sources: the hindu.