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Bhupender Yadav Chairs Wildlife Board Meet, Clears 70 Key Proposals

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the 88th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife. The committee considered 70 proposals related to public utility services, defence, and infrastructure development in and around Protected Areas. Key proposals included drinking water projects under Jal Jeevan Mission, health centres, and strategic defence infrastructure in border areas like Ladakh and Sikkim. The committee also reviewed compliance with past decisions and emphasized balancing development with wildlife conservation.

Key Points: 88th National Board for Wildlife Meeting Clears 70 Proposals

  • 70 proposals for public utility & infrastructure cleared
  • 17 defence projects in Ladakh & Sikkim approved
  • Focus on Jal Jeevan Mission & health centres
  • Committee reviewed action on past decisions
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Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav chairs 88th Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife meeting

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav chaired the NBWL meeting, clearing proposals for water, health, defence & infrastructure near protected areas.

"proposals were deliberated with due regard to ecological sensitivity, statutory requirements and the need to ensure essential services - Ministry Release"

New Delhi, January 19

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Monday chaired the 88th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife in New Delhi.

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, during the meeting, the Standing Committee considered 70 proposals relating to public utility services, defence requirements and infrastructure development located in and around Protected Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and Eco-Sensitive Zones, in accordance with the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

The proposals were deliberated with due regard to ecological sensitivity, statutory requirements and the need to ensure essential services for local communities.

According to the release, important public utility proposals considered by the Committee include drinking water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), primary and community health centres, road widening, 4G mobile towers, and transmission lines.

Further proposals related to the medium irrigation project in MP, providing drinking and irrigation water facilities in the Bundelkhand region on the one hand, and enhancing a more robust water regime for wildlife and gharials on the other, were also deliberated.

The Standing Committee also considered 17 defence-related proposals, primarily located in the Union Territory of Ladakh and the State of Sikkim, relating to strategic infrastructure in border and high-altitude areas.

These proposals were recommended in view of national security and strategic requirements, while ensuring strict adherence to wildlife mitigation measures and environmental safeguards, in line with the Committee's directions and applicable statutory provisions.

The Committee reviewed the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the decisions and directions taken by the Committee in previous meetings, especially with respect to policy measures and process streamlining, including improvements to ofthe PARIVESH portal.

The Committee decided that policy and programmes related to wildlife conservation and compliance with the directions of the SC-NBWL will further be deliberated in future meetings for effective monitoring.

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

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While infrastructure is important, I hope the "strict adherence to wildlife mitigation measures" is more than just words on paper. We've seen too many projects get cleared with weak safeguards. The PARIVESH portal transparency is key! 🙏
R
Rohit P
Defence proposals in Ladakh and Sikkim are absolutely necessary given the current situation. National security comes first, but glad they are considering environmental safeguards too. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
The Bundelkhand irrigation project mention is interesting. That region desperately needs water security for people and agriculture. If it can also help wildlife like gharials, that's a win-win. Hope they get the balance right.
K
Karthik V
70 proposals in one meeting? That seems like a lot. I respectfully worry about the depth of deliberation on each. Speed should not compromise the health of our protected areas. Our tigers and elephants have no other home.
M
Meera T
Good to see mobile towers and health centres being considered. People living near forests also deserve development and connectivity. It's not just about animals, but about human communities too. Balanced approach is the way.

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