The Wildlife Advisory Board is a statutory body constituted by the State Government or the Union Territory Administration under Section 6 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Its primary role is to act as a bridge between scientific conservation needs and governmental policy.
While the Board is an advisory body, its recommendations carry significant weight in the administration of wildlife protected areas and the formulation of state-specific conservation strategies.
Duties of the Wildlife Advisory Board (Section 8)
Under Section 8 of the Act, the Board is tasked with advising the State Government on several critical matters:
1. Selection and Management of Protected Areas
The Board advises the government on the selection of areas to be declared as Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Closed Areas. It also provides guidance on the administration of these areas once they are established.
2. Policy Formulation for Wildlife Protection
One of its central duties is to advise on the formulation of the state’s policy for the protection and conservation of wildlife and specified plants. This includes identifying emerging threats to local biodiversity and suggesting legislative or administrative fixes.
3. Harmonizing Tribal Rights and Conservation
The Act specifically mandates the Board to advise on any matter relating to the amendment of any Schedule. It also looks into measures to be taken for harmonizing the needs of the tribals and other forest dwellers with the protection and conservation of wildlife.
4. Regulation of Wildlife Trade and Products
The Board provides advice on the measures to be taken regarding the control of trade in wildlife and products derived from them. This is crucial for curbing poaching and the illegal "bushmeat" trade.
5. Matters Referred by the Government
Beyond its fixed statutory duties, the Board is required to provide its expert opinion on any other matter connected with the protection of wildlife which may be referred to it by the State Government.
Composition of the Board (Section 6)
To ensure its duties are performed with both technical expertise and social awareness, the Board has a diverse membership:
Chairman: The Minister in charge of Forests in the State/UT (or the Chief Minister/Administrator).
Vice-Chairman: The Minister of State in charge of Forests.
Members:
Members of the State Legislature.
The Chief Wildlife Warden (who usually acts as the Member-Secretary).
Officers of the State Government Forest Department.
Representatives of the Tribal Welfare Department.
NGOs and Experts: Ten persons specifically nominated by the State Government from amongst eminent conservationists, ecologists, and representative of NGOs.
Significance of the Board
The Wildlife Advisory Board ensures that wildlife conservation is not treated merely as a "police function" but as a scientific and social endeavor. By including ecologists and tribal welfare representatives, the Board helps the government navigate the complex "Man-Animal Conflict" and ensures that conservation policies are both ecologically sound and socially just.
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