What is Wildlife Clearance?
Wildlife Clearance is the approval required under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 when a project affects a protected area or its surroundings. It is granted by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) through its Standing Committee.
When is it required?
- The project lies inside a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary
- The project falls within a notified Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around a protected area
- The project lies within the default 10 km zone where an ESZ is not yet notified
- The project affects a wildlife corridor, tiger reserve or other important habitat
The approval pathway
Proposals are submitted on the PARIVESH portal and move through the State Chief Wildlife Warden and the State Board for Wildlife, to the Standing Committee of the NBWL for recommendation, followed by MoEF&CC approval.
What you need to prepare
- A site-specific Wildlife Conservation / Management Plan
- Maps showing the project relative to the protected area and ESZ
- An assessment of impacts on wildlife and habitat
- Mitigation measures such as animal crossings and corridor protection
- Species and habitat data for the study area
Key takeaways
- Required for projects in or near protected areas and ESZs
- Approved by the Standing Committee of the NBWL
- A site-specific Wildlife Management Plan is usually mandatory
- Often runs in parallel with Forest and Environmental Clearance
Sources & further reading: MoEF&CC · PARIVESH portal
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