Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 7th National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) meeting at Sasan Gir in the Junagadh district of Gujarat on World Wildlife Day on 3rd March 2025. Gir is the only sanctuary for the Asiatic lion in India. Besides Africa, it is also the place in the world where lions can be seen in the wild.

About World Wildlife Day

Every year since 2014, the 3rd of March has been observed as World Wildlife Day.

The day is observed to raise awareness about the world's wild fauna and flora.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 20 December 2013 to observe 3rd March as World Wildlife Day.

This day was chosen by the United Nations to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. The CITES plays an important role in promoting a sustainable wildlife trade.

Theme of the 2025 World Wildlife Day

“Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet” is the theme of the 2025 World Wildlife Day.

Highlights of the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife

During the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife, the Prime Minister reviewed the various initiatives of the government for wildlife conservation, including Project Elephant, Project Tiger, Project Snow Leopard, etc.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister also announced various projects for the conservation of wildlife.

Launched Lion census

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 16th cycle of the Lion census to be conducted in the Gir sanctuary in 2025.
A census of Lions in the Gir Sanctuary is carried out every five years, and the last census was conducted in 2020.

Uttar Pradesh has the largest population of riverine dolphins

The Prime Minister also released the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation conducted in the country.
The census was conducted across 28 rivers in eight states.
Total dolphins in the country: 6,327
Leading state: Uttar Pradesh has the maximum riverine dolphins in the country, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
Dolphins are mainly found in the mainstream of the Ganga River and its tributaries: Ghaghra, Chambal, Kosi, Gandak, Rupnarayan, and Yamuna.

National Referral Centre for Wildlife at Junagadh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife at Junagadh, Gujarat.
The Referral Centre will be the hub for coordination and governance of various aspects related to wildlife health and disease management.

Centre of Excellence at Wildlife Institute of India, Coimbatore

A Centre of Excellence will be set up at the Wildlife Institute of India Campus in SACON (Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
The center will work for effective management of human- wildlife conflict. The center will support the state and the Union Territories government with advanced technology in managing the human wildlife conflict.
The Center will also train the state/Union Territories officials and people in preventing human wildlife conflicts.

Project Cheetah to include Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary & Banni Grasslands

PM Modi announced the inclusion of Banni Grasslands in Gujarat and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh under Project Cheetah.
At present, Kunho National Park in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh is under Project Cheetah.
On 17 September 2022, Prime Minister Narendra released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia to the Kuno National Park on the occasion of his birthday.
Later, 12 more cheetahs were brought from South Africa in February 2023.

Project Gharial

He also announced Project Gharials for the conservation of the species.
In India at present, the major population of Gharials is found in the two tributaries of the Ganga River: Chambal and the Girwa Rivers.
In India, the Gharial reserves are located in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Plan

The Prime Minister also announced a National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Action Plan for the conservation of the birds in the country.
The Great Indian Bustard is a highly endangered species and has been included in Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
The maximum number of birds is found in Rajasthan.

About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

The National Board for Wildlife was set up by the government of India under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in 2003.

It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife.

It guides the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in Protected Areas.

Chairperson: Prime Minister of India

Vice-Chairperson: Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change

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