Current Affairs for 11 November 2025

Wildlife Conservation in India: Constitutional & Institutional Framework, Challenges, Schemes, and Initiatives

India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries in the world in terms of biodiversity. Approximately 8% of global biodiversity is found in India, including 7% of mammals, 12% of birds, 6% of amphibians, and around 6% of flowering plants. Rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization pose serious threats to wildlife, making wildlife conservation in India increasingly critical.

Constitutional and Institutional Framework for Wildlife Conservation in India

1. Constitutional Provisions

• Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy): Directs the state to protect and improve the environment and wildlife.
• Article 51(A)(g) (Fundamental Duties): Mandates every citizen to protect the environment, forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
• Seventh Schedule (Concurrent List): ‘Forests’ and ‘protection’ are subjects shared between the Union and State governments.

2. Legal Framework

• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:
  • The primary legislation for wildlife protection in India.
  • Contains four schedules, classifying species based on protection levels.
  • Provides for strict penalties and fines for violations.
  • Under this act, various protected areas are declared:
    • National Parks
    • Wildlife Sanctuaries
    • Conservation Reserves
    • Community Reserves

3. Key Institutions

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII) – serves as a research and training center.

Protected Area Network in India

• Approximately 5.32% of India’s total geographical area falls under protected areas.
• As of November 2023:
  • 100+ National Parks
  • 550+ Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • 100+ Conservation Reserves
  • 200+ Community Reserves

Major Achievements

1. Tiger Conservation (Project Tiger)
   • Launched in 1973; completed 50 years in 2023.
   • Tiger population increased from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,682 in 2022.
   • India achieved the TX2 Initiative goal of doubling tiger numbers four years ahead of schedule.
2. Elephant Conservation (Project Elephant)
   • Elephant population rose from 26,786 in 2018 to 29,964 in 2022.
   • Focus on Elephant Corridors and Human-Elephant Conflict Management.
3. Project Cheetah (2022)
   • Initiated with Asian cheetahs reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa.
   • Aims to restore extinct species into Indian ecosystems.
4. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
   • Inter-governmental organization initiated by India.
   • Focus on conservation of big cats: tigers, lions, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, snow leopards, etc.
   • Headquarters and secretariat to be established in India.

Major Challenges

Key Schemes and Initiatives

1. Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)
   • Centrally sponsored scheme.
   • Supports wildlife corridors, buffer zone development, and community participation.
2. Species Recovery Programs
   • Focus on endangered species like Hangul, Snow Leopard, Ganga Dolphin, Bustard, etc.
3. Landscape Approach for Conservation
   • Connects protected areas via corridors to maintain genetic diversity and reproductive viability.
4. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)
   • Prevents illegal trade and poaching.
5. Role of NGOs
   • Active participation by Indian Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Trust of India, WWF India, and others.

Way Forward

• Community-based Conservation: Link local communities to conservation benefits.
• Balanced Eco-tourism: Generate local employment while reducing tourism pressure.
• Scientific Research and Data-driven Policies: Develop modern DNA sequencing laboratories in WII and other institutions.
• Strengthening Wildlife Corridors: Ensure natural migration of species.
• Climate Adaptation Strategy: Redesign buffer zones in sensitive areas.
• Strict Enforcement: Adopt zero-tolerance policy against wildlife crimes.

Conclusion

India has made remarkable progress in wildlife conservation — programs like Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Project Cheetah serve as global examples. Yet, with increasing human activity and climate change, conservation must be viewed as a complement to development.

“Protecting wildlife is not only an environmental necessity but also a prerequisite for human survival.”

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), India

India has established several institutional frameworks to conserve wildlife and safeguard biodiversity. Among these, the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) serves as the apex advisory body, playing a key role in wildlife policies, conservation strategies, and decisions related to notifications of protected areas. The NBWL was established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to provide institutional support for wildlife conservation at the policy-making level.

Legal & Constitutional Basis

• Relevant Law: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• Sections: Sections 5A–5C of the Act
• Constitutional Basis:
  • Article 48A: The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
  • Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty of citizens to protect the environment, including wildlife.

Composition of NBWL

NBWL is a statutory body comprising representatives from the central and state governments, scientists, and NGOs. As per Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act:

Total Members: 47

Objectives of NBWL

1. Formulate and review the National Wildlife Policy.
2. Provide policy advice regarding protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
3. Promote research, education, and public awareness on wildlife conservation.
4. Coordinate India’s stance on international wildlife treaties (e.g., CITES, CBD).
5. Issue guidelines to manage human-wildlife conflicts, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.

Functions & Powers of NBWL

Under Section 5C of the Wildlife (Protection) Act:

1. Prepare and periodically revise the National Wildlife Policy.
2. Approve or reject development projects in protected areas (e.g., roads, mining, dams) – no project can proceed without NBWL approval.
3. Develop long-term conservation plans for wildlife.
4. Promote conservation research and strengthen India’s wildlife databases.
5. Provide guidance to State Wildlife Boards.

National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP)

NBWL has issued three action plans so far:

Major Achievements of NBWL

1. Expansion of protected areas: From less than 5% in the 1970s to 5.32% of India’s total area.
2. Approval and implementation of NWAP 2017–2031.
3. Promotion of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
4. Development of guidelines for human-wildlife conflict management.
5. Policy oversight of flagship programs like Project Tiger and Project Elephant.

Criticisms & Challenges

Way Forward

1. Transparent approval process: Mandatory scientific evaluation and public consultation before project approval.
2. Empower State Wildlife Boards: To implement effective conservation policies at the local level.
3. Science- and data-driven decisions: Regular updating of biodiversity data.
4. Legal recognition for wildlife corridors: Protect and maintain connectivity for wildlife.
5. Community participation: Engage local populations in conservation and eco-tourism initiatives.

Conclusion

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is the backbone of India’s wildlife conservation framework. It plays a crucial role not only in policy-making but also in balancing development with environmental sustainability. The future success of NBWL depends on adopting scientific, transparent, and participatory decision-making processes, keeping wildlife conservation at the center of sustainable development.

Tropical Forests Forever Facility and India

Context

Ahead of the Leaders Summit (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil, India announced its participation as an observer country in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF).

About the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF)

What it is: The TFFF is a new global financial mechanism that aims to provide economic incentives to countries that protect their tropical forests.

Features

• It is a budget-neutral model, meaning there is no additional budgetary burden on governments.
• Under this initiative, countries will receive US$4 per hectare of protected forest land annually.
• The project will be managed by a TFFF Secretariat, while investment-related work will be handled through a Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF).
• The TFIF will invest investors' seed money in environmentally friendly investments (such as green bonds, renewable energy) and return the money to investors from the profits generated. 

Major Investor Countries and Contributions

France, China, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also supported the initiative. However, they have not yet announced their financial contributions.

Brazil's Climate Leadership Role

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appealed to world leaders on this occasion to:

• Develop a global roadmap to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels by 2030.
• Triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
• He also supported debt-for-climate swaps to provide relief to developing countries.

He also launched a new initiative called the "Belém Commitment," which aims to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels by 2035.

India's Participation and Perspective

India's Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, speaking on behalf of India, said that the TFFF is an important step in collective global action that will promote the conservation of tropical forests and the democratization of climate finance.

India's Climate Achievements:

• Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced its GDP emissions intensity by 36%.
• India's non-fossil fuel-based electricity capacity has now reached 50%. India achieved this target five years ahead of the 2030 target deadline.
• Between 2005 and 2021, India created an additional carbon sink capacity of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
• India consistently emphasizes that affordable climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building are essential for developing countries to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Global Relevance of TFFF

• Tropical forests are home to approximately 60% of the Earth's biodiversity and play a vital role in global carbon absorption capacity.
• Their destruction not only exacerbates climate imbalances but also impacts the livelihoods and ecosystems of local communities.
• TFFF encourages countries to conserve these forests by making them economically valuable.

Conclusion

The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) is an excellent example of a financial incentive-based conservation model to combat climate change. India's participation in this initiative signals that the country is not only serious about its climate goals but also committed to playing global environmental leadership.

APEC Summit 2025

Context

On October 31, 2025, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2025 was held in Gyeongju, South Korea. This summit made headlines, particularly due to the trade agreement between the United States and China.

What is APEC ?

• Introduction: APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is a regional organization that promotes free and open trade and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Established: Established in 1989 at the suggestion of Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke.
• First Meeting: Canberra (Australia)
• Headquarters: Singapore
• Nature: Non-binding, operates on a consensus-based approach
• Member States (21 in total): Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, United States, Vietnam
• Moratorium Policy: APEC has maintained a moratorium on new membership since 1997.
• Significance: The APEC region accounts for approximately 60% of global GDP, half of trade, and 40% of the population (2.9 billion people).

About APEC Summit 2025

• Location: Gyeongju, South Korea; this historic city hosted an APEC Summit for the first time.
• Theme: ‘Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper’
• Key Focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI), demographic imbalance, and green technology cooperation

Objectives

• Promote free trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region
• Strengthen regional cooperation on AI and demographic imbalance
• Accelerate economic integration and innovation-driven growth
• Ensure global supply chain stability

Key Outcomes

• Under the US-China Trade Truce, both countries agreed to reduce tariffs and resume soybean and rare earth trade.
• APEC leaders agreed on the principle of “win-win trade for all.”
• Announcement of a joint action plan on AI cooperation and green energy.
• Special emphasis on global supply chain sustainability.

Significance

• Signal of stability in the global economy
• APEC gains a new dimension in multilateral cooperation
• AI and green technology cooperation promote regional development

India's Perspective

• India is not a member of APEC, but its decisions influence the Indo-Pacific strategy and free trade policy.
• For India, this platform offers opportunities in terms of technology, investment, and supply chain cooperation.

Challenges

• US-China competition challenges APEC unity
• Protectionism and AI-based job crisis
• Policy differences among member countries

Way Forward

• Cooperation focused on digital trade, innovation, and green growth
• Prioritizing AI policy framework and human resource development
• Strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries
• Emphasis on multilateral dialogue and inclusive policymaking

Conclusions

APEC Summit 2025 made it clear that the future of the Asia-Pacific region will depend on cooperation, innovation, and sustainable development. While the US-China agreement has provided short-term relief, balanced leadership and multilateral partnerships are essential for long-term stability.