2026 for January 1970

An apex wildlife advisory body has prepared draft guidelines regulating the diversion of forest land inside wildlife sanctuaries for religious structures.

India’s wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are governed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which aims to protect wildlife habitats from human-induced pressures.
Any non-forest activity within protected areas is highly regulated and generally discouraged unless it meets strict conservation criteria.
Additionally, the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, places restrictions on the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
As per this law, forest land diversion after 1980 requires explicit approval from the central government, reinforcing the principle that ecological protection must take precedence over development or encroachment.

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL) is an apex advisory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It evaluates proposals related to infrastructure and land-use changes within protected wildlife habitats.
The Committee’s recommendations play a critical role in determining whether activities within sanctuaries align with conservation objectives.
The formulation of guidelines on religious structures falls within this mandate, given the potential ecological consequences of such constructions.

The issue gained prominence following a proposal involving the Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, where diversion of forest land was sought for a religious establishment.
Although initial approval was granted, it was later revoked after concerns were raised about the absence of recorded forest rights and the risk of setting a precedent.
This episode highlighted the lack of a uniform framework to assess similar proposals across States.
It also exposed governance gaps in cases where religious sites exist within forested areas but lack legal recognition in settlement records.

The draft guidelines prepared by the apex wildlife body lay down the following principles:
- Post-1980 constructions on forest land are to be treated as encroachments as a general rule.
- Regularisation of existing structures may be considered only in exceptional cases where the State government provides a reasoned and documented justification.
- Expansion of religious structures within sanctuaries is generally prohibited. Limited expansion may be allowed only if required for managing ecological conflict or essential public utilities.
- Case-by-case scrutiny is mandated, with final decisions resting with the central government after ecological assessment.
These guidelines are currently under deliberation by State governments before final adoption.

India’s forests often contain sacred groves, caves, and pilgrimage sites that predate modern conservation laws.
While cultural and religious practices are constitutionally protected, they cannot override environmental safeguards in ecologically sensitive zones.
Unchecked construction can fragment habitats, increase human-wildlife conflict, and undermine conservation goals.
The guidelines seek to strike a balance by recognising historical presence without legitimising fresh encroachments or large-scale development.

If implemented effectively, the guidelines can:
- Prevent gradual erosion of protected areas through incremental construction.
- Establish uniform standards for States when dealing with sensitive land diversion requests.
- Strengthen the legal position of conservation authorities in resisting non-essential activities inside sanctuaries.
However, inconsistent enforcement or political pressure could dilute their impact, making monitoring and transparency crucial.

Source: TH

Wildlife Sanctuaries FAQs

Q1: Which body prepared the guidelines on religious structures in sanctuaries?

Ans: The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife prepared the draft guidelines.

Q2: What is the general rule for constructions on forest land after 1980?

Ans: Such constructions are to be treated as encroachments.

Q3: Are new religious structures allowed inside wildlife sanctuaries?

Ans: No, new constructions are generally prohibited under the draft guidelines.

Q4: When can limited expansion be considered?

Ans: Only in exceptional cases for mitigating ecological conflict or managing essential public utilities.

Q5: Why are these guidelines significant for conservation?

Ans: They prevent precedent-setting land diversion that could weaken protection of wildlife habitats.