Organizations Involved in Animal Welfare and Environmental Conservation

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding key national organizations for animal welfare and biodiversity conservation in India.
2. Knowledge of the functions and powers of organizations like the Animal Welfare Board, Central Zoo Authority, and National Biodiversity Authority.
3. Insight into efforts for wildlife crime control and lake conservation initiatives.
4. Awareness of the role of NGOs in wildlife conservation.

The Animal Welfare Board of India

The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body dedicated to promoting animal welfare laws in the country. It was established in 1962 under Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, making it the first of its kind globally. Shrimati Rukmini Devi Arundale pioneered its establishment, guiding it for nearly two decades until 1986. The Board, headquartered in Chennai, consists of 28 members with a term of 3 years.

Functions of the Animal Welfare Board:

1. Studying and advising on laws in force regarding the prevention of cruelty to animals and suggesting amendments when necessary.
2. Advising the Central Government on creating rules to prevent unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, especially during transportation, performances, captivity, or confinement.
3. Providing guidance to improve vehicle designs to ease the burden on draught animals.
4. Undertaking steps for the amelioration of animals, such as constructing sheds, water troughs, and providing veterinary assistance.
5. Advising on the design and maintenance of slaughterhouses to minimize unnecessary pain during the pre-slaughter stages.
6. Ensuring that unwanted animals are humanely destroyed by local authorities, when necessary.
7. Encouraging the creation of animal shelters, sanctuaries, and rescue homes for animals and birds that are old, useless, or need protection.
8. Cooperating and coordinating with associations working to prevent animal suffering.
9. Providing financial and other assistance to local Animal Welfare Organizations.
10. Advising on medical care in animal hospitals and providing financial support as needed.
11. Educating the public about humane animal treatment through lectures, books, and exhibitions.
12. Offering guidance on any matters related to animal welfare or the prevention of pain and suffering.

Central Zoo Authority

Established through the Wildlife (Protection) Act amendment in 1991, the Central Zoo Authority oversees the functioning and development of zoos in India. Zoos must adhere to norms and standards prescribed by this authority to receive official recognition.

Functions of the Central Zoo Authority:

1. Specifying minimum standards for the housing, upkeep, and veterinary care of zoo animals.
2. Evaluating and assessing zoo operations concerning prescribed standards.
3. Granting or revoking zoo recognition.
4. Identifying endangered species for captive breeding and assigning responsibilities to specific zoos.
5. Coordinating the acquisition, exchange, and loaning of animals for breeding purposes.
6. Ensuring the maintenance of stud-books for endangered species bred in captivity.
7. Identifying priorities and themes for displaying captive animals.
8. Coordinating zoo personnel training both in India and abroad.
9. Facilitating research in captive breeding and educational programs.
10. Providing technical assistance for scientific zoo management and development.

Powers of the Central Zoo Authority:

1. Recognition of zoos.
2. Granting permission for the acquisition of wild/captive animals.
3. Taking cognizance of offences.
4. Issuing licenses and certificates related to zoo ownership and recognition.

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) – Chennai

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was set up in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act, 2002. It serves as a statutory, autonomous body performing facilitative, regulatory, and advisory roles for the government regarding biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

Objectives of the NBA:

1. Requires prior approval for anyone seeking intellectual property rights on research using Indian biological resources or knowledge.
2. Imposes benefit-sharing conditions to ensure equitable sharing from the utilization of biological resources.
3. Protects local people’s knowledge relating to biodiversity, including its registration.

Main Functions:

1. Advising the Central Government on conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits.
2. Recommending heritage site selection and management measures to the State Governments.
3. Taking measures against the grant of intellectual property rights outside India based on Indian biological resources or knowledge.

Transfer of Biological Resource or Knowledge:

1. No person approved by the NBA can transfer biological resources or associated knowledge without NBA’s permission.
2. NBA may impose royalty charges or reject transfer applications, and it issues public notices on approvals granted.

State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs):

1. Advise State Governments on biodiversity conservation and equitable benefit-sharing.
2. Regulate commercial utilization or biosurvey/bio-utilization of biological resources.

Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs):

1. Promote conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biological diversity at the local level.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)

The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established in 2007 under the amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It complements the enforcement efforts of state governments.

Functions of the WCCB:

1. Collecting and disseminating intelligence related to wildlife crime and maintaining a centralized data bank.
2. Coordinating enforcement actions to implement the Act.
3. Implementing obligations under international conventions and protocols.
4. Assisting foreign authorities and international organizations in wildlife crime control.
5. Developing infrastructure and capacity for professional wildlife crime investigations.
6. Advising the Government on issues with national and international ramifications concerning wildlife crime.

National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP)

The National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) was initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2001 to conserve polluted and degraded lakes in urban and semi-urban areas.

Objective:

1. Restoration and conservation of degraded urban and semi-urban lakes using an integrated ecosystem approach.

Activities Under NLCP:

1. Pollution prevention through interception, diversion, and treatment of pollution entering lakes.
2. In-situ lake cleaning measures such as de-silting, bioremediation, and nutrient reduction.
3. Catchment area treatment including afforestation, stormwater drainage, and silt trapping.
4. Shoreline development, fencing, and strengthening of lake bunds.
5. Lakefront eco-development involving public interaction.
6. Public awareness and participation initiatives.
7. Capacity building and research in lake conservation.

Important Note: Solid waste management and dhobi ghat provision are generally not covered under NLCP.

National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)

Formed in 2009 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the NGRBA is a body dedicated to ensuring the abatement of pollution and conservation of the Ganga River using a comprehensive river basin approach.

Functions:

1. Developing a river basin management plan.
2. Regulating activities for pollution prevention and control to maintain water quality.
3. Ensuring ecological flow maintenance in the river.
4. Planning, financing, and executing pollution abatement programs, including sewerage infrastructure and catchment area treatment.
5. Promoting water conservation practices such as recycling, reuse, and rainwater harvesting.
6. Monitoring and reviewing the implementation of Ganga conservation activities.

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI)

Founded in 1998, the Wildlife Trust of India is a non-governmental organization aiming to conserve nature, particularly endangered species and habitats, in collaboration with communities and governments. It focuses on species rehabilitation, illegal wildlife trade prevention, and habitat conservation.

Comprehensive Comparison of Key Organizations

Important Note: BMCs,