State Board For Wildlife

Constitution

• The State Government shall, within a period of six months from the date of commencement of the Wild Life ( Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 constitute a State Board for Wild Life consisting of the following members, namely:-
  • The Chief minister of the State and in case of the Union territory, either Chief Minister or Administrator, as the case may be – Chairperson;
  • The Minister in-charge of Forests and Wild Life- Vice- Chairperson;
  • Three members of the State Legislature or in the case of a Union territory with Legislature, two members of the Legislative Assembly of that Union territory;
  • Three persons to represent non-government organizations dealing with wild life to be nominated by the State Government;
  • Ten persons to be nominated by the State Government from amongst eminent conservationists, ecologists and environment including at least two representative of the Scheduled Tribes;
  • The Secretary to the Government or the Government of the Union territory, as the case may be, in-charge of Forest and Wild Life;
  • The Officer in-charge of the State Forest Department;
  • The Secretary to the State Government Department of Tribal Welfare;
  • The Managing Director, State Tourism Development Corporation:
  • An officer of the State Police Department not below the rank of Inspector-General;
  • A representative of the Armed Forces not below the rank of a Brigadier to be nominated by the Central Government;
  • The Director, Department of Animal Husbandry of the State;
  • The Director, Department of Fisheries of the State;
  • An officer to be nominated by the Director, Wild Life Preservation;
  • A representative of the Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun;
  • A representative of the Botanical Survey of India;
  • The Chief Wild Life Warden, who shall be the Member – Secretary.
• The term of office of the members other than those who are members ex officio and the manner of filling vacancies referred to in clause (d) and (e) of sub-section (1) and procedure to be followed shall such, as may be prescribed.
• The member (except members ex officio) shall be entitled to receive such, allowances in respect of expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as may be prescribed.

Comments

As per the guidelines issued by the Central Government the appointments of Regional Representatives of Indian Board for Wild Life in the Wild Life Advisory Boards of States / Union Territories should be covered by the provisions of section 6 (1) (g) of the Act. Whereas establishment of Wild Life Advisory Boards in States and Union Territories has statutory support under this Act, such support is not available to the Indian Board for Wild Life which is the highest advisory body to the Central Government in matters of Wild Life.

Procedure to be followed by the Board

• The Board shall meet at least twice a year at such place as the State Government may direct.
• The Board shall regulate its own procedure (including the quorum).
• No act or proceeding of the Board shall be invalid merely by reason of the existence of any irregularity in the procedure of the Board affecting merits of the case.

Duties of the State Board for Wild Life

It shall be the duty of state board for Wild Life to advise the state government,

• In the selection and management of areas to be declared as protected areas;
• In formulation of the policy of protection and conservation of Wild Life and specified plants;
• In any matter relating to any schedule; [ (cc) in relation to the measures to be taken for harmonizing the needs of the tribals and other dwellers and other dwellers of the forest with Protection and conservation of wild life; and *]
• In any matter that may be referred to it by the State Government.