5-March -2025-Special-Article

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND THE 7TH MEETING OF NBWL

The Prime Minister chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gir National Park in Gujarat on World Wildlife Day (3rd March). The meeting focused on wildlife conservation and launched several initiatives to protect endangered species and their habitats.

World Wildlife Day

• Observed On: 3rd March annually.
• Established By: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2013.
• Reason: Commemorates the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
• Theme 2025: Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.
• Objective: Emphasizes financial investments in biodiversity conservation to ensure a sustainable future.

Key Announcements at NBWL Meeting

New Conservation Initiatives

1. Great Indian Bustard Conservation Plan: A national strategy was launched to safeguard the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
2. Gharial Conservation Project: A new program was introduced to stabilize the declining gharial population.
3. Centre for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management

Located at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Coimbatore.

Functions:

1. Equips rapid response teams with tracking and surveillance tools.
2. Deploys detection systems in conflict-prone areas.
3. Trains field staff and communities in mitigation techniques.
4. Use of Advanced Technology
   • The Prime Minister stressed the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), remote sensing, and geospatial mapping to tackle forest fires and human-animal conflicts.
   • Collaboration between WII and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to manage human-wildlife conflict.
5. National Referral Centre for Wildlife
   • Foundation stone laid for a wildlife health and disease management hub in Junagadh, Gujarat.
6. Formation of New Task Forces

Task forces for the conservation of:

• Indian Sloth Bear
• Gharials
• Great Indian Bustard

Expansion of Wildlife Protection Projects

Project Cheetah Expansion

Project Cheetah will extend to:

• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh)
• Banni Grasslands (Gujarat)

Strengthening Project Lion

• Extension of Project Lion for another 10 years.
• Aim: Expand the Asiatic Lion’s habitat across Gujarat’s Saurashtra region.
• 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation to be conducted in May 2024 (occurs every five years; last held in 2020).

Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report

• First-ever report on riverine dolphin populations in India.
• Findings: 6,327 dolphins identified across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus river basins.

Incorporating Traditional Knowledge in Wildlife Conservation

• Encouragement for NBWL and the Ministry to document traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous practices.

Community Participation in Conservation

Emphasis on local community involvement in:

• Wildlife protection
• Forest fire management
• Sustainable coexistence with wildlife
• Example: Contribution of the Maldhari community in lion conservation in Gujarat.

Conclusion

The 7th NBWL meeting marked a significant step towards strengthening India’s wildlife conservation efforts. With new initiatives, technology integration, and community participation, these measures aim to protect endangered species, mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, and promote sustainable conservation practices.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the significance of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) in India’s wildlife conservation efforts and analyze the recent initiatives announced during its 7th meeting. (150 WORDS)