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Bhupender Yadav Chairs Key Wildlife Board Meeting in Bhopal, Reviews 58 Proposals

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in Bhopal. The committee examined 58 new proposals for infrastructure projects near protected areas, balancing development with ecological safeguards. Key policy discussions included maintaining water flows in the Chambal River for aquatic species and strategies for human-leopard conflict. The meeting stressed the need for research-backed conservation policies through collaboration with scientific institutions.

Key Points: Bhupender Yadav Chairs National Board for Wildlife Meeting in Bhopal

  • 58 fresh infrastructure proposals reviewed
  • Policy on Chambal river e-flows for dolphins
  • Managing human-leopard conflict
  • Sustainable development near protected areas
  • Involvement of scientific institutions
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Bhupender Yadav holds National Board for Wildlife meeting in Bhopal

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 89th NBWL meeting, reviewing 58 infrastructure proposals and key conservation policies in Bhopal.

"The Standing Committee also discussed development projects located in and around protected areas... in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 - Official Statement"

Bhopal, Feb 28

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, on Saturday, chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, considering proposals relating to wildlife conservation.

"The Standing Committee also discussed development projects located in and around protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and eco-sensitive zones in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," the statement said.

The proposals were examined keeping in view ecological sensitivity, statutory requirements and prescribed mitigation measures.

"A total of 58 fresh proposals across sectors such as communication infrastructure, optical fibre cables, power transmission lines, road projects, drinking water supply, thermal power, defence, irrigation and other infrastructure were considered by the Committee," it added.

The Committee also deliberated on important policy matters, including ecological importance of maintaining environmental flows (e-flows) in the Chambal river for conservation of aquatic fauna like dolphins, gharials; status of social, economic and ecological aspects of villages inside the Tiger reserves; importance of grasslands for wildlife management; and strategies to manage current challenges of the human-leopard interface.

The meeting also emphasised involvement of scientific and technical institutions, including the Wildlife Institute of India, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, and the Central Water Commission, to ensure that conservation policies are supported by robust research and inter-sectoral coordination.

"The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and is mandated to advise the Union government on matters relating to conservation and protection of wildlife and forests, while ensuring that development activities in and around protected areas are undertaken in a sustainable and balanced manner," the statement said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
58 proposals in one meeting! That seems like a lot. While development is important, I hope each project near protected areas gets the scrutiny it deserves. The human-leopard conflict discussion is very relevant for many villages. 🐆
R
Rohit P
Balancing infrastructure and wildlife is the real challenge. Power lines and roads are needed, but not at the cost of our forests and tigers. Glad they are involving institutes like WII. Science should guide policy, not just politics.
S
Sarah B
The mention of villages inside Tiger reserves is critical. We often talk about animals, but the people living there face daily challenges. Any policy must have their rehabilitation and welfare at its heart. Sustainable development is key.
V
Vikram M
Meetings are good, but what about transparency? Will the minutes or decisions be made public? As a citizen, I want to know which projects were cleared and with what conditions. Accountability is part of conservation.
K
Kavya N
Grasslands are so often overlooked! They are not wastelands but vital ecosystems for many species. Happy to see them on the agenda. Hope this leads to stronger protection for our savannas and the wildlife there. 🙏

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