Daily
250 words
7/10
Rating

10 July 2026

PIL against National Board for Wildlife

The National Board for Wildlife is a key statutory body under the Wildlife Protection Act, and the PIL raises significant governance and accountability issues regarding environmental clearance processes that are directly relevant to GS2 and GS3 syllabus topics.

2 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • A PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the functioning of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and its Standing Committee.
  • Petitioners allege that the NBWL and its Standing Committee function as a 'clearing house' for diverting protected areas for infrastructure, mining, and industrial projects.
  • Data cited in the petition indicates that the Standing Committee approved over 97% of proposals for diverting, reducing, or de-notifying protected land between 2014 and 2026.
  • The petition highlights concerns regarding the frequency of meetings, noting that the full NBWL board convened in 2025 after a 13-year hiatus, leaving the Standing Committee as the de facto operational body.
  • The NBWL is the apex statutory authority for wildlife conservation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • The board is chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Environment Minister serving as the vice-chairperson.
  • The petitioners are seeking the establishment of binding guidelines for the decision-making processes of the NBWL and its Standing Committee.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role and mandate of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. How does the institutional design of the board impact the balance between infrastructure development and ecological conservation? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The efficacy of statutory bodies in ensuring environmental governance is often debated in the context of project clearances. Analyze the challenges faced by bodies like the National Board for Wildlife in maintaining the integrity of protected areas while facilitating national development projects. Suggest measures to enhance transparency and accountability in their decision-making processes. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Who serves as the Chairperson of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)?

  2. The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory body constituted under which of the following legislations?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-10/pil-against-national-board-for-wildlife