National Action Plan for conservation of Migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF):
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the ‘National Action Plan on 19th November, 2018 for conservation of Migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway (CAF)’, signaling the leadership role India will play in conservation of migratory species.
The Action Plan emphasizes on coordination and cooperation between various Central Government Ministries, State Government Departments, and managers of protected areas, Local Communities, Civil Society and Private sector. It gives focus on collective activities to protect the important bird habitats in India.
Policy for Eco-tourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has drafted a ‘Policy for Eco-tourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas’ and is in the final stages of notification. The Eco-tourism policy has been formulated in consultation with the line Ministries i/c Ministry of Tourism. The Eco-tourism policy will provide livelihood opportunities for the local communities, as well as educate visitors and enhance their understanding of nature.
National Framework and Guidelines for Managing Marine Stranding
The Guidelines has been drafted and yet to be notified. The objective of the framework and guidelines is to improve coordination between various independent Government and non-government entities responding to marine animal stranding, research, health and management issues and to coordinate, support and share data and promote collaborative projects. The stranding programme is meant to be a sub-set of a broader marine animal research programme initiative directed towards dedicated and systematic collection and analysis of species and habitat specific data.
National Conservation Strategy and Action Plan for the Sea Turtles and their Habitats in India
This Action Plan is in the final drafting stage. The major goals of the Action Plan are 1. Improve Understanding, 2. Conserve Species, 3. Conserve Habitat, 4. Promote Awareness and Education, and 5: Enhance national, regional and international cooperation.
Asiatic Lion Conservation Project
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” on 20th December, 2018 with an aim to protect and conserve the world’s last ranging free population of Asiatic Lion and its associated ecosystem. The Project will strengthen the ongoing measures for conservation and recovery of Asiatic Lion with the help of state-of-the –art techniques/ instruments, regular scientific research studies, disease management, Modern surveillance/ patrolling techniques etc.
The total budget of the project for 3 years that amounts to Rs. 9784.50 lakh will be funded from the CSS-DWH with the contributing ratio being 60:40 of Central and State share respectively.
The project activities are envisaged in a manner to cause habitat improvement, scientific interventions, disease control and veterinary care supplemented with adequate eco development works for the fringe population in order to ensure a stable and viable Lion population in the Country.
Trans-boundary Protected Areas
The forest areas between contiguous countries are continuous in nature and are used by the wild animals as corridors. Due to lack of cooperation and coordination, the conservation of the species is hampered on both the sides. These, also leads to differences between the Authorities on either sides of the borders. The concept of trans-boundary National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries is expected to not only increase the cooperation and coordination between the Authorities on either side but will also enable control of wildlife and other crime, enhanced tourism, improve relationships between the two Countries.
Third National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-31
India unveiled the third National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017-2031 the future road map for wildlife conservation. The third action plan was released after the first plan in 1983 and second from 2002 till 2016. The third National Wildlife Action Plan has recognised the concerns relating to climate change impact on wildlife and stressed on integrating actions that need to be taken for its mitigation and adaptation into wildlife management planning processes.