NEWS

19th Meeting of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) held

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEET

• Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India unveiled,50 Cheetahs to be introduced in various Parks over 5 years
• Government working on a futuristic and multi-pronged strategy for next decade of tiger conservation in the country

ABOUT NTCA

• The Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006 provides for the constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority
• Following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force.
• Administers Project Tiger.
• Tiger reserves in India are administered by field directors as mandated by NTCA.
• No alteration in the boundaries of a tiger reserve shall be made except on a recommendation of the NTCA and the approval of the National Board for Wild Life.
• No State Government shall de-notify a tiger reserve, except in public interest with the approval of the NTCA and the approval of the National Board for Wild Life.

NTCA members

• NTCA was set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Environment and Forests.
• The Authority will have
  • eight experts having qualifications in wildlife conservation and welfare tribals,
  • 3 MPs,
  • The Inspector-General of Forests, in charge of project Tiger, will be ex-officio Member Secretary
  • Others

Functions of NTCA

• The Authority lays down standards, guidelines for tiger conservation in the Tiger Reserves, National Parks and Sanctuaries.
• The Tiger Conservation Authority would be required to prepare an Annual Report, which would be laid in the Parliament along with the Audit Report.
• State-level Steering Committees will be set up in the Tiger States under the Chairmanship of respective Chief Ministers.
• This has been done with a view for ensuring coordination, monitoring and protection of tigers in the States.
• A provision has been made for the State Governments to prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan.
• Provision will be made for the States to establish a Tiger Conservation Foundation, based on the good practices emanating from some tiger reserves.