The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory body constituted by the Central Government under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). It functions as the apex advisory body on wildlife conservation and policy in India. The NBWL was established in 2003 through an amendment to the WLPA in 2002, replacing the non-statutory Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL), which was originally formed in 1952 to address the decline in wildlife populations.
The Board is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. Its primary mechanism is to review all wildlife-related matters and advise the Central and State Governments on conservation measures. Crucially, the NBWL has the power to approve projects in and around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Under the WLPA, activities like the alteration of boundaries in Protected Areas (PAs), diversion of wildlife habitats, or de-notification of Tiger Reserves cannot proceed without the NBWL's approval or recommendations.
A key related institution is the Standing Committee of the NBWL, which is chaired by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. While the full NBWL focuses on policy, the Standing Committee primarily handles project clearances. The NBWL connects directly to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the legal framework for its existence and powers. A significant change occurred in 2014 when the rule governing the term of appointed members was amended, which critics argue reduced the presence of independent experts and shifted the focus towards project clearances.