DEHRADUN — Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav chaired the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) on March 21, 2026. The high-level session, held in Dehradun, focused on balancing critical infrastructure development with aggressive wildlife conservation strategies and the integration of advanced technologies.
Technological Leap in Forest Management
A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the meeting between the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and BISAG-N. This partnership aims to revolutionize conservation efforts through:
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Advanced Monitoring: Deploying Geospatial Technologies and Remote Sensing for real-time tracking.
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AI & Machine Learning: Implementing AI/ML-based tools to enhance forest fire management and automate decision-support systems.
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Wildlife Tracking: Strengthening data-driven tools for habitat management and species recovery.
Key Policy Deliberations
The Committee addressed several ecological priorities essential for India’s biodiversity:
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Riverine Conservation: Deliberations focused on maintaining environmental flows in the River Chambal to sustain endangered species like Dolphins and Gharials during lean seasons.
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Grassland Protection: The Minister highlighted the need for ecosystem-specific restoration for grasslands and rangelands, noting their role in carbon sequestration and dryland resilience.
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Pastoral Rights: The Committee emphasized a balanced approach to conservation that respects the traditional practices of nomadic and pastoral communities dependent on Protected Areas.
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Species Recovery: A comprehensive Conservation Action Plan was recommended for the Wild Water Buffalo to ensure its long-term survival.
Infrastructure Clearances
The SC-NBWL reviewed multiple proposals across sectors including roads, drinking water supply, transmission lines, and defense. As a statutory body under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the committee ensures that national infrastructure projects align with strict environmental safeguards.
