The Prime Minister chaired the seventh meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gir National Park in Gujarat on World Wildlife Day. 

Major Announcements and Conservation Initiatives

• First-ever Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report Released: The government released the first-ever Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report to assess the population and conservation needs of river dolphins in India.
• 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation (2025) Announced: The 16th population estimation of Asiatic lions will be conducted in 2025 to monitor their numbers and conservation status.
• Cheetah Reintroduction Program Expansion: The ongoing Cheetah Reintroduction Program will be expanded to new locations to ensure the successful reestablishment of cheetahs in India.
• Foundation Stone Laid for National Referral Centre for Wildlife (Junagadh): A National Referral Centre for Wildlife will be established in Junagadh, Gujarat, to provide specialized research and medical support for wildlife conservation.
• National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Action Plan: A dedicated conservation action plan for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard will be initiated to strengthen its protection.
• New Project for Gharial Conservation: A new conservation project will be launched to protect and revive the population of gharials, a critically endangered crocodilian species found in India.

About National Board for Wildlife

• Statutory Body: The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) was constituted by the Central Government under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). 
  • It was established through an amendment of the WLPA in 2022.
• Replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife: The NBWL replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife, which was originally formed in 1952.
• Role of NBWL: The board serves an advisory function and provides recommendations to the Central Government regarding wildlife conservation policies and measures.
• Mandatory Approvals by NBWLas per  WLPA: 
  • Altering the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries or de-notifying Tiger Reserves.
  • Constructing tourist lodges within protected areas.
  • Destruction or diversion of wildlife habitats for development projects.
• Organizational Structure: The NBWL is a 47-member committee with the following key members:
  • Chairperson : Prime Minister of India
  • Vice-Chairperson : Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change
  • Member-Secretary: Additional Director General of Forests (WL) and Director, Wildlife Preservation
  • Other Members 
    • 3 Members of Parliament (2 from Lok Sabha, 1 from Rajya Sabha)
    • 5 Representatives from NGOs
    • 10 Eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists
    • Government secretaries from various departments
    • Chief of Army Staff, Director General of Forests, Tourism, etc.
• Standing Committee of NBWL: The Standing Committee of NBWL functions as an independent body under the NBWL.
  • Composition: Consists of up to 10 members from the NBWL.
  • Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
  • Difference from NBWL: The Standing Committee focuses on project clearances, while the NBWL is responsible for policy decisions.

About Gir National Park

• Location: Gir National Park is situated in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, in the southwestern part of the Saurashtra region.
  • It lies in the foothills of the Girnar range, an extension of the Western Ghats.
• Protected Status
• • Declared as a sanctuary in 1965.
  • Upgraded to a national park in 1975.
  • Represents the largest continuous dry deciduous forest tract in western India.
• Significance: Gir National Park is the last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). Conservation efforts have been instrumental in preventing their extinction.
• Indigenous Pastoral Community: The Maldharis, a pastoral community residing in Gir, share a historical and symbiotic relationship with the Asiatic lions.
  • Their settlements are known as “nesses”.
• Flora and Habitat
  • Dominant tree species include teak, dhak, acacia, and other drought-resistant plants.
  • The park consists of a mix of dense forests, open scrubland, and grasslands, creating a diverse ecosystem for various species.

Comparison: Asiatic Lion vs. African Lion