Maarg Manthan · Topic 19.3

National Board for Wildlife

Environment & Ecology › Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India · Topic 19.3

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory advisory body on wildlife conservation in India, constituted under Section 5A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 after the 2002 amendment, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife that had been set up in 1952. It is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as Vice-Chairperson, and has up to 47 members, including three Members of Parliament (two from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha), five NGO representatives, ten eminent conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists, the Chief Wildlife Wardens of states by rotation, and ex officio members from ministries and organisations such as the Wildlife Institute of India, the Zoological Survey of India and the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. Its main function is to promote conservation and development of wildlife and forests and to advise the Government on policy, including framing policies for protection of wildlife and the management of national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves. A Standing Committee of the Board, chaired by the Minister, reviews and approves projects in or around protected areas, since the Act requires NBWL's recommendation before the boundaries of a sanctuary or national park can be altered or projects allowed inside, and the Supreme Court has said that its approval is also needed for projects within the eco-sensitive zone. The Board also reviews national wildlife action plans.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India

At a Glance

Statutory under Section 5A, Wildlife Act
Chair Prime Minister
Replaced Indian Board for Wildlife, 1952
Committee Standing Committee
Members Up to 47
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the NGT and covers the apex wildlife advisory body, which links to the Wildlife Act, tiger authority and the National Wildlife Action Plan. Previous topic: National Green Tribunal. Next topic: Animal Welfare Board of India.

How Is the NBWL Constituted?

Aspect	Details
Basis	Section 5A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, inserted by the 2002 amendment
Predecessor	Indian Board for Wildlife, set up in 1952, which was only advisory and had no statutory status
Chairperson	Prime Minister
Vice-Chairperson	Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Members	Up to 47: MPs, NGO representatives, eminent conservationists, ecologists, state representatives and officials from ministries and bodies like WII and ZSI
Standing Committee	Chaired by the Environment Minister; examines proposals involving protected areas
Secretary	A senior officer of the Environment Ministry, with the Additional Director General (Wildlife) as Member Secretary

What Does the NBWL Do?

Policy advice: advises the Centre on wildlife policy and measures for conservation
Protected area changes: recommendation is needed before altering boundaries of sanctuaries or national parks
Project clearance: Standing Committee reviews projects in and around protected areas
Eco-sensitive zones: reviews projects within ESZs, using the Supreme Court’s 2002 direction
Wildlife action plan: reviews the National Wildlife Action Plan
Reports: calls for reports from states on protected area management
Studies: can commission studies on impacts of linear projects
Criticism: critics say the Standing Committee clears most proposals, and few are rejected

What Else Should You Remember?

1952: Indian Board for Wildlife constituted under the leadership of the Prime Minister
2002 amendment: converted the board into a statutory body
Section 5A: deals with constitution of the National Board for Wildlife
Section 5B: Standing Committee of the National Board
Section 5C: functions of the National Board
Functions: promoting conservation, framing policies, reviewing progress, and making recommendations on protected areas
Section 29 and 35(6): no destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat in sanctuaries or national parks without Board’s recommendation
Godavarman 2002: Supreme Court directed that eco-sensitive zones within 10 km of protected areas be treated cautiously until notified
Linear projects: roads, railways and power lines face NBWL review in wildlife habitat
Non-official members: ten eminent conservationists and five NGO representatives
State Boards for Wildlife: states have their own boards under Section 6 chaired by Chief Ministers
Wildlife Institute of India: Dehradun-based body that trains and advises
Zoological Survey of India: a member body
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau: statutory body under the Act
NTCA: statutory body for tiger conservation
Central Zoo Authority: statutory body for zoos
Animal Welfare Board: separate body under a different Act
Meetings: NBWL met only a few times in decades, but the Standing Committee meets often
Link to previous: see National Green Tribunal
Link to next: see Animal Welfare Board of India
Link to WPA: see Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Caution: membership and procedures are revised, so check the Ministry website
Exam hint: remember PM as chair, Section 5A and the Standing Committee’s role in project clearance
Non-official voice: the Board is meant to bring scientists, NGOs and conservationists into policy making alongside government officers
Habitat connectivity: the Board has been urged to consider wildlife corridors and cumulative effects of linear projects
Reports and recommendations: its recommendations are advisory in most matters, but binding for changes inside protected areas
State-level counterpart: State Boards for Wildlife under the Chief Minister advise states and deal with state-level proposals
Wildlife crime: the Board takes note of reports from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau on poaching and trade
Conservation breeding: the Board has supported programmes for critically endangered species such as the Great Indian Bustard
Climate and wildlife: recent discussions include effects of climate change on habitats and species ranges

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Chair: Prime Minister
Section: 5A
Predecessor: Indian Board for Wildlife
Current affairs link: Standing Committee clearances
Common errors: saying the Environment Minister chairs the full Board

As an analytical point, the NBWL is meant to be the safeguard against harming wildlife habitat for development projects. Its credibility depends on expert, independent review and a willingness to reject projects in sensitive areas.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Head PM
Role Advice, clearance
Test Rejection

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Animal Welfare Board of India. Next topic: Animal Welfare Board of India.

Key People and Terms

NBWL National Board for Wildlife
IBWL Indian Board for Wildlife
ESZ Eco-sensitive zone
SC-NBWL Standing Committee
WII Wildlife Institute of India
SBWL State Board for Wildlife

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Statutory since 2002 amendment.
Chair: Prime Minister.
Section 5A.
Standing Committee clears projects.
Replaced IBWL 1952.

Do Not Confuse With

NBWL and NTCA Advisory board versus tiger authority
NBWL and State Board National versus state body
NBWL and Standing Committee Full Board versus its working committee

Memory Hook

PM at the head, Section five A; standing committee passes the project.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for composition and functions. These points help.

Role Advice
Clearance Standing Committee
Critique Rejection rate

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the composition and functions of the National Board for Wildlife and its role in clearing projects near protected areas.”

How to Answer

Origin 1952, 2002.
Members PM chair.
Role Advice, clearance.
Critique Approvals.

GS Relevance

Prelims: chair, year, committee, role. GS Paper 3: wildlife institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Board for Wildlife?

The National Board for Wildlife is the statutory apex advisory body on wildlife in India, constituted under Section 5A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 after the 2002 amendment. Chaired by the Prime Minister, it promotes wildlife conservation and advises the Government on policy and on projects affecting protected areas.

Who is the chairperson of the NBWL?

The Prime Minister is the Chairperson of the National Board for Wildlife, and the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the Vice-Chairperson. The Board has up to 47 members, including MPs, NGO representatives, eminent conservationists, state representatives and officials, and works mainly through its Standing Committee.

What does the Standing Committee of the NBWL do?

The Standing Committee, chaired by the Environment Minister, examines proposals for projects in or around national parks and sanctuaries, and any changes to the boundaries of protected areas. It recommends whether these should be allowed and under what conditions, which makes it a key part of the clearance process for roads, mines and power projects.

How is the NBWL different from the old Indian Board for Wildlife?

The Indian Board for Wildlife, set up in 1952 and also headed by the Prime Minister, was an advisory body without statutory status. The 2002 amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act replaced it with the National Board for Wildlife, giving it statutory status and defined functions, including review of projects in protected areas.

Why is the NBWL criticised?

Critics say the Standing Committee approves most proposals, including in sensitive tiger and elephant habitat, that independent experts are few, and that the full Board meets rarely. They argue for more transparent scientific scrutiny, cumulative impact assessment and stronger weight for conservation in decisions.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The Prime Minister chairs the NBWL.

True

Under Section 5A.

2 The NBWL was set up in 1952.

False

The Indian Board for Wildlife was set up in 1952.

3 The Standing Committee reviews projects near protected areas.