Ex-forest officials, conservationists challenge functioning of India’s apex Wildlife Board in Delhi HC

Why in news

Retired forest officials and conservationists filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court challenging the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for allegedly approving 97% of land diversion proposals between 2014 and 2026.

Background

The petition alleges that the Standing Committee of the NBWL (SC-NBWL) approved over 97% of proposals for diverting or de-notifying protected land between 2014 and 2026. The petitioners seek binding guidelines to ensure transparency and legal compliance in decision-making regarding protected areas.

Facts for Prelims

• BodyNational Board for Wildlife (NBWL): Statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• FactThe SC-NBWL reportedly considered over 100 proposals in a single day's meeting during the period under scrutiny.
• PlaceDelhi High Court: The forum where the PIL challenging the NBWL's functioning was filed.

For Mains

Q. Critically analyze the institutional mechanisms for balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation in India's protected areas.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Procedural oversight: Lack of binding guidelines for SC-NBWL leading to rapid approval of land diversion proposals.
• Transparency deficit: Concerns over the speed of decision-making and public accessibility to deliberation records.
• Regulatory friction: Conflict between rapid infrastructure expansion and the statutory mandate of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Keywords: Statutory oversight · Land diversion · Biodiversity conservation · Procedural transparency · Wildlife (Protection) Act

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