Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Monday chaired the 88th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) in New Delhi, during which proposals of public utility, infrastructure and strategic importance were reviewed alongside measures for effective monitoring of wildlife conservation.
The Standing Committee considered 70 proposals related to public utility services, defence requirements and infrastructure projects located in and around protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and eco-sensitive zones. The deliberations were held in accordance with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, with an emphasis on balancing ecological sensitivity with the need to provide essential services to local communities.
Among the key public utility proposals examined were projects for drinking water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission, establishment of primary and community health centres, widening of roads, installation of 4G mobile towers and laying of transmission lines. The Committee also deliberated on a medium irrigation project in Madhya Pradesh aimed at providing drinking and irrigation water in the Bundelkhand region, while simultaneously improving water availability for wildlife, including gharials.
In addition, the Standing Committee reviewed 17 defence-related proposals, primarily located in the Union Territory of Ladakh and the state of Sikkim. These proposals pertain to strategic infrastructure development in border and high-altitude areas. The projects were recommended in view of national security and strategic imperatives, with the Committee stressing strict adherence to environmental safeguards and wildlife mitigation measures.
The meeting also took stock of the Action Taken Report on decisions and directions issued in previous sittings of the SC-NBWL. Particular focus was placed on policy initiatives and process streamlining, including improvements to the PARIVESH portal. The Committee decided that wildlife conservation policies, programmes and compliance with its directions would continue to be reviewed in future meetings to ensure effective monitoring.
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It advises the government on matters relating to wildlife and forest conservation, while ensuring that development activities in and around protected areas are undertaken in a balanced and sustainable manner.
