Context:

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended re-including the Rhesus Macaque (Rhesus Monkey) under Schedule-II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

• Establishment: Formed in 2003 under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (after the 2002 amendment).
• Nature: A Statutory Body.
• Role: Advises the Central Government on policies and measures for wildlife conservation and development in India. It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL), 1952.
• Total Members: Around 47.
• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India.
• Vice-Chairperson: Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Key Functions:

• Formulating India’s National Wildlife Policy.
• Issuing guidelines for the conservation of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Protected Areas.
• Reviewing and evaluating wildlife conservation projects.
• Granting approval or recommendations for projects in Protected Areas.
• Protection of endangered species and their habitats.

Standing Committee of NBWL (SC-NBWL)

• It is a smaller executive body of NBWL formed under Section 5B of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Composition:

• Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• • Member Secretary: Director/Secretary (Wildlife Conservation), MoEFCC.
• • Other Members: Up to 10 members nominated from the NBWL.

Major Powers and Functions:

• Project Approvals: Reviews and approves development projects inside or around Protected Areas and Eco-sensitive Zones, such as dams, mining, roads, power transmission lines.
• Exercises powers delegated by NBWL to streamline decision-making.
• Assesses possible impact of projects on wildlife habitats.
• Ensures that no diversion or destruction of wildlife habitat in Protected Areas occurs unless deemed essential for wildlife improvement.

Rhesus Macaque (Rhesus Monkey)

• Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta
• Class: Mammalia
• Family: Cercopithecidae
• Genus: Macaca
• Appearance: Medium-sized monkey; brown to grey coat; pink hairless face; long flexible tail.

Habitat & Distribution:

• Among the most widely distributed non-human primates.
• Native to South, Central and Southeast Asia.
• Found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand and Southern China.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern
• (Because of large and widespread population distribution).
• CITES: Appendix II

(International trade is regulated, not fully banned, to prevent illegal capture and trade).

• India (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972): Earlier listed in Schedule-II, and is now recommended for re-inclusion to prevent cruelty and illegal/unregulated trade.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA 1972)

• Provides a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of wild animals, birds, and plants, and for regulating illegal hunting and trade.
• Objective: To safeguard wildlife and establish/manage National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Enforced Since: 9 September 1972.
• After the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, it applies to all of India.

Constitutional Basis:

• Article 48A: Duty of the State to protect environment and wildlife.
• Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty of citizens to protect the natural environment.
• Aligns with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

Schedules (After 2022 Amendment) :