Maarg Manthan · Topic 19.7

National Wildlife Action Plan

Environment & Ecology › Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India · Topic 19.7

The National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) is India's policy framework for wildlife conservation, setting priorities and strategies for the country. Three plans have been adopted. The first, in 1983, set up the national network of protected areas and the principle of species-based and habitat protection. The second, for 2002 to 2016, stressed people's participation, improved protected area management, captive breeding and research, and brought in conservation reserves and community reserves after the 2002 amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act. The third, the National Wildlife Action Plan 2017 to 2031, was approved by the National Board for Wildlife in March 2017 and covers fifteen years. It aims to strengthen and promote integrated management of wildlife and habitats, adapt to climate change, address human-wildlife conflict, protect wildlife outside protected areas such as corridors, wetlands and community lands, curb illegal wildlife trade, and raise research, capacity and public participation. The plan was the first to emphasise the effects of climate change on wildlife, the role of communities and the need for a landscape approach that links protected areas. It sets out five components covering protected areas, endangered species and habitats, ecosystems outside protected areas, wildlife health and management, and research, capacity building and awareness, with specific targets and actions assigned to the Centre and states.

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

At a Glance

First plan 1983
Second plan 2002 to 2016
Third plan 2017 to 2031
Approved by National Board for Wildlife
New focus Climate, corridors, communities
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Environmental Institutions and Schemes in India

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Key power Approval for foreign access Lower tiers SBBs…">National Biodiversity Authority and presents the main policy plan for wildlife, which links to the National Board for Wildlife and protected areas. Previous topic: National Biodiversity Authority. Next topic: Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

How Did the Wildlife Action Plan Evolve?

Plan	Features
NWAP 1983	First plan; emphasised protected area network, species like tiger and rhino, and species-specific projects
NWAP 2002-2016	Second plan; people’s participation, management of protected areas, captive breeding, research; conservation and community reserves
NWAP 2017-2031	Third plan; approved March 2017; landscape approach; climate change; human-wildlife conflict; illegal trade; wildlife outside protected areas
Approval	By the National Board for Wildlife
Nodal ministry	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Implementation	By the Centre and states through forest and wildlife departments
Review	Periodic reviews by the NBWL

What Are the Priorities of the 2017-2031 Plan?

Protected areas: strengthen and expand management, with focus on connectivity
Endangered species: recovery programmes for species and habitats
Beyond protected areas: conserve corridors, wetlands, grasslands, coastal and marine areas and community lands
Climate change: include adaptation in wildlife planning and monitoring
Human-wildlife conflict: early warning, compensation and prevention measures
Wildlife trade: stronger enforcement and cooperation
Wildlife health: disease surveillance and veterinary capacity
Community role: partnership, livelihoods and eco-development

What Else Should You Remember?

Plan period: fifteen years for the third plan
Landscape approach: managing large connected habitats, such as Terai Arc and Western Ghats
Corridors: maintaining links among protected areas for animal movement
Eco-sensitive zones: buffers around protected areas
Linear infrastructure: mitigation measures such as underpasses and overpasses
Invasive species: control and prevention
Wetland and grassland conservation: habitats often neglected
Marine wildlife: plans for turtles, dugong and cetaceans
Wildlife forensics: capacity building
Wildlife health: a new component on disease outbreaks
Research: long-term monitoring and Wildlife Institute of India
Training: capacity building for forest staff
Awareness: school programmes and public participation
Species recovery programmes: for Great Indian Bustard, snow leopard, dugong, vultures and others
Great Indian Bustard: a species for which Indian recovery programmes exist
Project Tiger and Project Elephant: flagship programmes under the plan
Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats: centrally sponsored scheme supporting protected areas
Funding: central schemes, CAMPA and state budgets
Criticism: targets lack timelines and funding commitments in places
Climate: vulnerability assessment of species
Link to previous: see National Biodiversity Authority
Link to next: see Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)
Link to NBWL: see National Board for Wildlife
Caution: plan details and numbers of actions should be verified in the official document
Exam hint: remember 1983, 2002-16, 2017-31, approval by NBWL and the new emphasis on climate and landscapes
Climate change adaptation: the plan asks for vulnerability studies and adaptive management for species and habitats under changing climate
Community participation: the plan values people living around protected areas as partners, through eco-development and benefit sharing
Eco-tourism: regulated nature tourism is promoted as a source of funds and awareness
Rescue and rehabilitation: networks for treating injured and orphaned animals and handling conflict animals
Zoos and ex-situ: zoos and breeding centres are linked to in-situ recovery programmes
Cumulative impacts: development projects near wildlife habitats are to be assessed for combined effects
Wildlife trade: stricter control on online trade, seizures, and cooperation with international agencies
Wetlands and marine: coastal and marine protected areas and wetlands are priorities for conservation
Participation of states: state wildlife action plans are to follow the national plan
Monitoring: periodic assessment of progress against targets with indicators
Capacity: training of frontline staff and use of technology such as camera traps and drones
Funding: central schemes, CAMPA funds, CSR and state budgets support the plan’s actions

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Plans: 1983, 2002-16, 2017-31
Approver: NBWL
New theme: Climate change
Current affairs link: Wildlife corridors
Common errors: giving 2017-2026 as the period

As an analytical point, the third wildlife plan moves from protecting isolated parks to managing landscapes and linking people with conservation. Its success depends on funding, coordination among departments and respect for local communities.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Shift Parks to landscapes
New Climate
Need Funding

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. Next topic: Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Key People and Terms

NWAP National Wildlife Action Plan
NBWL National Board for Wildlife
Landscape approach Large connected habitat management
Corridor Habitat link
HWC Human-wildlife conflict
IDWH Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Plans: 1983, 2002-16, 2017-31.
Third plan approved March 2017.
Approver: NBWL.
New themes: climate, corridors.
Nodal: MoEFCC.

Do Not Confuse With

NWAP and NBSAP Wildlife plan versus biodiversity plan
NWAP 2002 and 2017 People’s participation versus landscape and climate
Protected area and corridor Core habitat versus link

Memory Hook

Eighty-three first, oh-two sixteen second, seventeen-thirty-one third and wide.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for plan periods and themes. These points help.

Evolution Three plans
Themes Climate, corridors
Gaps Funding

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Discuss the evolution and priorities of the National Wildlife Action Plan, with focus on the 2017-2031 plan.”

How to Answer

History 1983, 2002.
2017-31 Themes.
Tools Landscape.
Gaps Funding.

GS Relevance

Prelims: three plans, period, themes. GS Paper 3: wildlife policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Wildlife Action Plan?

The National Wildlife Action Plan is India's strategy document for wildlife conservation, listing priorities, strategies and actions for the Centre and states. India has had three plans: 1983, 2002 to 2016, and the present 2017 to 2031 plan approved by the National Board for Wildlife in March 2017.

What is new in the NWAP 2017-2031?

The third plan brings in a landscape approach to link protected areas, a focus on wildlife outside protected areas, the first explicit attention to climate change adaptation for wildlife, measures for human-wildlife conflict, stronger action against illegal trade, wildlife health and disease surveillance, and a larger role for communities and research.

Who approves the National Wildlife Action Plan?

The National Board for Wildlife, chaired by the Prime Minister, approves the National Wildlife Action Plan. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change prepares and coordinates it, and states implement it through forest and wildlife departments, with funds from central schemes and state budgets.

Why does the plan stress corridors and landscapes?

Wildlife needs space and connection. Protected areas are often islands surrounded by farms, roads and settlements, so animals like tigers and elephants cannot move safely. The plan seeks to keep corridors and manage large landscapes so animals can migrate, find mates and food, and conflict with people is reduced.

How does the plan address climate change?

The 2017 to 2031 plan was the first to include climate change in wildlife planning. It calls for assessing species' vulnerability, protecting climate refuges, maintaining connectivity so species can shift their range, monitoring changes in habitats and incorporating adaptation measures into protected area management.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The third NWAP covers 2017 to 2031.

True

Approved in 2017.

2 The first NWAP was adopted in 2002.

False

In 1983.

3 The NBWL approves the NWAP.