Want to move land to a tiger reserve for a project? There’s an app for that –– well, almost!
Representative file image. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil) (PTI)One of the approvals available in the National Single Window System (NSWS) is to “remove a tiger reserve for ecologically sustainable use”, a fact that has worried environmentalists as it goes against the very rationale and purpose of creating a tiger reserve.
NSWS is a digital platform that guides project proponents to identify and apply for approvals based on their business requirements. The portal hosts applications for approval from 32 central departments and 32 state governments These authorizations can be enforced through NSWS.
The website is operated by Invest India, a not-for-profit company under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which comes under the Ministry of Commerce. One of the 46 tiger conservation permits available under the Ministry of Environment permit on the website.
HT reached out to the Ministry of Commerce and DPIIT, but did not receive a comment till the time of going to print.
The page in question states that any type of environmentally sustainable use specified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 requires the approval of any person or entity interested in tiger conservation. This includes other projects in mining, industry and tiger reserve(s).
Ironically, one of the functions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, which is responsible for all policies related to tiger conservation in the country, is to ensure that tiger reserves and areas are not diverted to ecologically unsustainable uses by connecting one protected area or tiger reserve with another protected area or tiger reserve, except in the public interest and on the advice of the Tiger Board. Conservation Authority.
A senior official of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said the ministry had not communicated or verified such terminology to DPIIT for hosting on the NSWS portal. “All proposals related to wildlife, forest, environment and CRZ clearance are applied and processed through PARIVESH 2.0 portal, hence, the page is providing misleading information through NSWS portal. This is factually incorrect and the ministry has informed DPIIT about this,” the official said.
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It is not clear when the NSWS website started showing this exemption, or indeed, if anyone applied under it.
“This open invitation to apply for removal of land from a tiger reserve for non-ecological activities is a clear admission on the part of our government that commercial exploitation of our tiger reserve is more important than its conservation. In a sense, it is a formal confirmation of the government’s intention to destroy our natural ecosystems and replace them with zoos, safaris and safari parks. The timing of this request for proposals is the global on tiger conservation held in India. Also interesting because of the conference,” said Devi Goenka, Executive Trustee, Conservation Action Trust.
According to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the responsibility of the National Wildlife Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests as it deems fit. NBWL’s Standing Committee reviews all applications for conversion of areas that support wildlife. The preamble of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 further states that it is an Act to provide protection to wild animals, birds and plants and matters connected with or incidental thereto, with a view to ensuring environmental and ecological security of the country.
There are 58 designated tiger reserves under the National Tiger Conservation Authority of India (NTCA), covering an area of about 84,500 square kilometers. At least 3,167 tigers roam India’s vast forests, which are home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population, according to tiger estimates for 2022.
Tiger is the national animal of India.
