90th Meeting of Wildlife Board Committee

Key Highlights from the 90th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board

Constitutional References

• The National Wildlife Board (Standing Committee) is constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides a framework for the protection and conservation of wildlife and their habitats.

Government Schemes and Policies

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and Bhaskarcharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) to enhance forest fire management and wildlife conservation using geospatial technologies, remote sensing, and AI/ML-based tools.

Meeting Outcomes and Discussions

1. Review of Proposals: Discussed various proposals related to infrastructure including:

   • Roads
   • Drinking water supply
   • Transmission lines
   • Defense and irrigation

2. Conservation Efforts: Examination of the progress of decisions made during the 7th meeting of the National Wildlife Board, focusing on:

   • Species conservation
   • Habitat management
   • Institutional strengthening

3. Environmental Flow: Addressed the environmental flow issues in the Chambal River to safeguard riverine species such as dolphins and gharials during low water levels.

4. Grassland and Pasture Conservation: The significance of grasslands for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and the livelihoods of pastoralists was highlighted. Emphasis on incorporating these ecosystems in planning frameworks with:

   • Ecosystem-specific restoration approaches
   • Improved mapping
   • Land degradation neutrality

5. Dependency of Communities: Discussed the reliance of nomadic and pastoral communities on protected areas, stressing the need for sustainable management strategies that balance conservation goals with traditional practices and socioeconomic dependencies.

6. Conservation Status of Wild Buffalo: Recommendations made for developing a comprehensive conservation action plan for the Wild Water Buffalo.

Importance of the Meeting

• The meeting seeks to align wildlife conservation strategies with national commitments and frameworks, ensuring that environmental and sociocultural dynamics are considered in policy formulation.

Environmental & Biodiversity Focus

• The discussions emphasized the importance of ecosystems and their integration into broader national conservation strategies, underscoring the role of community involvement in sustainable development and wildlife preservation.

This meeting emphasizes the government's commitment to leverage modern technologies for effective conservation practices while reinforcing the need for collaborative frameworks between stakeholders, including local communities for sustainable management of wildlife resources.