Recently, the Cabinet approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats for the 15th Finance Commission cycle for an overall outlay of Rs. 2602.98 crores.

Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)

• About IDWH: It is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (funded partially by both the Central and State Governments)  aimed at enhancing wildlife protection and habitat conservation.
• Objectives: The scheme provides financial assistance to State and Union Territory (UT) governments for the conservation of wildlife and its habitats both within and outside Protected Areas (PAs).
• Components of the scheme
  • Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves)
  • Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas
  • Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats.

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• Subcomponents of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)
  • Project Tiger: Launched in 1973 to protect and conserve tiger populations in their natural habitats and prevent extinction.
    • A total of 18 tiger range States, distributed in five landscapes of the country is covered under the Project Tiger scheme.
    • The Project Tiger component also supports the ambitious Project Cheetah in the country
  • Project Elephant: Launched in 1992 to address the decline in elephant populations due to habitat loss and poaching.
  • Development of Wildlife Habitat: Creating and enhancing habitats to support wildlife conservation and biodiversity.
  • Project Dolphin: Aimed at the conservation of dolphin populations.
  • Project Lion: Focused on the protection and conservation of lion populations.

Significance of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) Scheme

• Technological Integration in Conservation
  • Utilises M-STrIPES (Monitoring System For Tigers-Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) mobile application for real-time data collection and management.
  • Incorporates advanced technologies like camera traps and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for species identification and monitoring.
  • Conservation genetics has been used in the field of tiger conservation wherein a SOP for translocating tigers based on their genetic composition has been issued. 
    • Further, genetics has also been used to determine tiger numbers in low density landscapes as well as for determining the food ecology of the species.
• Support for Multiple Projects
  • Enhances Project Cheetah, facilitating its expansion and strengthening monitoring protocols with radio telemetry.
  • Supports Project Dolphin with equipment like Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for habitat monitoring.
  • Strengthens Project Lion in alignment with the “Lion @ 2047” vision document.
• Biodiversity Conservation
  • Protects 55 tiger reserves, 33 elephant reserves, and 718 protected areas, crucial for climate resilience and water security.
  • Focuses on keystone species (tigers, elephants, cheetahs, snow leopards, lions) that indicate ecosystem health.
  • Aids lesser-known species identified in the Species Recovery Programme.
• Economic and Ecological Balance
  • Generates over 50 lakh man-days of direct livelihood opportunities, alongside indirect employment through eco-tourism.
• Community Engagement
  • Encourages local community participation in conservation efforts, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility towards wildlife protection.

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