Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Background
The ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ (IDWH) is an on-going Centrally Sponsored Scheme which has been made operational by adding more components and activities to the erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Scheme- ‘Assistance for the Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries’ during the 11th Plan Period.
Key highlights
Components
The scheme has the following three components:
- Support to Protected Areas
- Protection of Wildlife outside Protected Areas.
- Recovery programmes for saving critically endangered species and habitats.
Support to protected Areas
Eligible PAs: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves, other than those availing central assistance under the CSS- Project Tiger, which are duly notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and are under the control of the Chief Wildlife Wardens.
Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas:
There are substantial wildlife and natural resources lying outside the Protected Areas network of India. This component seeks to support the conservation of wildlife in these areas.
Eligible areas:
- High-value biodiversity areas outside PAs. Areas contiguous to PAs/corridors are given priority.
- The Chief Wildlife Wardens prepare a Biodiversity Conservation Plan for such selected area; Human-wildlife conflict management in and around forests.
Recovery programme for critically endangered species and habitats:
This component is for affecting the recovery of critically endangered species in the country. Initially, 17 species have been identified under this component.
The Director, Wildlife Preservation, Government of India, in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India or the relevant scientific institute and with the approval of the Standing Committee of the NBWL can initiate other recovery programmes or wind up an ongoing programme.
The activities supported under the programme are
- Management planning and capacity building.
- Anti-poaching and infrastructure development.
- Restoration of habitats.
- Ecodevelopment and community-oriented activities.
Financial assistance
- Under IDWH, the financial assistance is provided to State/UT Governments for protection and conservation of wildlife and its habitats in Protected Areas (PAs) as well as outside PAs and also for the recovery programmes of the critically endangered species.
Coverage
All the Protected Areas (excluding Tiger reserves) are covered under this Scheme
