Wildlife Clearance Certificate

An Overview of Wildlife Clearance Certificate in India

Wildlife Clearance Certificate, or Wildlife NOC certificate, is an official regulatory document. This legally binding document is required for projects impacting the eco-sensitive zones (ESZs), national parks, wildlife habitats and sanctuaries, or to protect the forest ecosystems. For such projects, a user requires wildlife clearance approval to establish or operate the infrastructure or development of projects near the forest area.

The Wildlife Clearance Certificate is issued by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Industries like mining, real estate, energy, etc., require wildlife clearance registration.

Users must apply for a wildlife clearance license through the PARIVESH portal, following a step-by-step process to secure wildlife conservation approval. So, if you require proper guidance from portal registration, document verification, and further process, ensuring regulatory compliance without triggering any penalty or challenge in obtaining the wildlife clearance certificate, connect with Enterclimate’s professional experts today on a 30-minute free consultation call!

Eligible Entities that require a Wildlife NOC Certificate

Here is a quick list of eligible entities (users or activities) that must obtain a wildlife NOC certificate. Check out the list given below to find out if you require this certificate.

• Businesses in industrial and development projects like parks, roads, railways, and mining.
• Survey and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Researchers.
• Commercial Tourism Operators building a tourist lodge.
• Projects near Tiger Reserves and habitats require authorization of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (NBWL).

Wildlife Clearance Certificate Approval Workflows Explained

The wildlife clearance certificate approval is divided into workflows that vary for surveys and projects that require the NBWL clearance certificate. The approval is based on project location, regulatory scrutiny, and ecological impact. Look for the three wildlife clearance workflows given below:

1st Workflow – Survey and Investigation:

The first workflow for the wildlife clearance certificate involves the pre-survey for wildlife clearance, a detailed study, and investigations. The Chief Wildlife Warden may issue/permit rejection after scrutiny.

2nd Workflow – State Board for Wildlife (SBWL):

The second workflow is necessary for projects based in Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) of protected areas. The Chief Wildlife Warden grants permission for this workflow after clearance from the SBWL.

3rd Workflow – National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

The third workflow is mandated for projects securing denotification (free from strict regulations) of a protected area. But it can be granted only after going through the rigorous compliance checks by the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) and the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). This is because it affects the secure boundaries of the wildlife ecology, such as a sanctuary.

What are the Documents Required for Wildlife Clearance License?

Here is a list of the documents required for wildlife clearance registration. Each applicant must have the updated documents before proceeding with the online application to secure a wildlife clearance license.

• Form A (Part I and II)
• Project Proposal
• High Resolution Maps and Layout Plans
• Geo-Spatial Data
• Wildlife Impact Assessment Report
• Site Inspection Report
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)
• Proof of Land Ownership/Lease Agreement
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
• Applicant’s Official Authorization
• Techno-Economic Clearance
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report
• Implementation Agreement (if applicable)

Process for Wildlife Clearance Certificate with Enterclimate Experts

Here is a step-by-step procedure for wildlife clearance certificate approval assisted by Enterclimate experts. Understand each step to proceed with the application on the PARIVESH portal. So, let’s start the process.

Step 1: Online Registration

Enterclimate helps to register as a “User Agency” on the official PARIVESH portal. It creates a valid ID with a password to log in for easy submission and tracking of the application.

Step 2: Fill Form A (Part I and II):

Our experts submit the detailed and accurate wildlife clearance Form A that consists of Part I and Part II. We gather project maps, environmental impact assessment reports, and biodiversity details, ensuring nothing is missed before submission.

Step 3: Initial Scrutiny:

The project proposal is sent for review by the local Division Forest Officer (DFO) or Chief Wildlife Warden within 5 days of its submission. We, as Enterclimate experts, make sure to check all the documents to be updated and uploaded on the PARIVESH portal to resolve gaps without delays.

Step 4: Site Inspection for Field Review:

Our professional experts align with the Division Forest Officer or Park Manager, while we prepare a complete set of documents required for the field review. We request frequent follow-ups until the application is sent to the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW).

Step 5: State Board for Wildlife Review:

Enterclimate’s consultants track and coordinate with the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW), the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) and the State Government in the review procedure. We prepare any additional queries or documentation gaps to ensure the proposal reaches the MoEFCC with ease.

Step 6: National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

Our senior consultants prepare your case to get it thoroughly reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). After the Wildlife Clearance approval, Enterclimate assists in obtaining the approval/certificate from the competent authority.

Industries Requiring Wildlife Clearance for Projects

Here is a quick list of the industries that require the wildlife clearance for projects. See below:

I. Mining and Quarrying

Projects Covered:

• Open cast mining
• Underground mining operations

II. Construction and Infrastructure

Projects Covered:

• Railways
• Dams
• Highways
• Bridges

III. Energy Projects

Projects Covered:

• Thermal Power Plants
• Wind Farms
• Large-Scale Solar Installations

IV. Manufacturing and Industrial:

Projects Covered:

• Heavy Chemical Plants
• Metallurgical Plants
• Cement Plants

V. Real Estate and Townships

Projects Covered:

• Large-scale commercial buildings
• Urban development projects

Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Brief Description

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, was enacted officially on September 9, 1972. It aims to safeguard biodiversity, consisting of animals and species, and protect the environment too.

A. Schedules under the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022

There are four schedules under Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. See below:

Schedule I

It gives high legal protection to tigers, elephants and lions, which are highly endangered species.

Schedule II

It gives protection to Blackbucks, Snow Leopards, etc., but less than those in Category I.

Schedule III

It includes Orchids and Medicinal Plant species.

Schedule IV

It covers specimens and species classified under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

B. Key Authorities Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

Here is a list of key authorities under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. See below:

• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): It reviews wildlife matters and grants approvals for specific projects in protected areas.
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA): It monitors and regulates tiger conservation and manages the tiger reserves.
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): It is established to prevent crimes against wildlife, control animal poaching, and cope with illegal wildlife trade and smuggling.

C. Core Pillars of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

1. Prohibits hunting:

• Under Section 9, hunting of all wild animals listed in Schedules I and II is banned.
• Under Section 11, exceptions for hunting animals are only if it becomes dangerous to human life, or it is disabled or infected with a disease.

2. Forms Protected Areas

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 authorizes the State and Central government to consider ecological habitats as protected networks:

• National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries: Statutory clearance is required for strict boundaries on human intervention or exploitation of resources.
• Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves: Managing corridors near parks and local communities.

3. Trade and Possession of Animals:

• Commercially trading wild animals, trophies, or animal articles is banned until the CWLW grants a license for it.

• Section 49M: Introduced in 2023, under this section, anyone in possession of a living specimen or CITES-listed species is required to register the animal’s birth, possession, or transfers; all details processed on the PARIVESH 2.0 Portal.

What are the Key Challenges in the Wildlife Clearance Approval?

There are many challenges in the wildlife clearance approval that you must be aware of. To know what those challenges are, look at the pointers given below:

• File size and technical glitch on the PARIVESH portal.
• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) Standing Committee is unable to conduct detailed scientific scrutiny due to high volumes of proposal reviews on a daily basis.
• Undefined standard protocols and mitigation plans for highways, power grids, and railways that go through the wildlife corridors or protected areas result in project rejection.
• Limited involvement of independent ecologists and conservationists is required for the proper assessment process.
• Poor post-clearance monitoring due to the lack of human potential and financial capacity, resulting in self-monitoring by the project's proponents.

What are the Penalties in Non-compliance with the Wildlife Clearance Registration?

There are several penalties for non-compliance with wildlife clearance registration. It mainly arises due to operating without the approval of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Look for the major penalties given below:

• 2% penalty of the total project cost is charged for construction activities in a protected area without clearance.
• Any serious offence or unauthorized activities in National Parks/Sanctuaries in Protected Areas (Part I and II) have penalties of 3 years imprisonment, which may extend up to 7 years based on the degree of violation, with a minimum fine of Rs. 10,000 as per Section 51 (1).
• In any second or subsequent offence, a penalty fine of Rs. 25,000 as per Section 51 (1) along with imprisonment of 3 years.
• Statutory fines up to Rs. 1 lakh for general violations or intervening in approval conditions, under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Property, machines, or tools in possession could be seized in a serious offence. The confiscated equipment goes to the State authority without any compensation in return.
• Any wildlife clearance license, permit, or rights authorized to the user agency registered on the PARIVESH portal will be cancelled.
• A “Stop Work” notice will be sent for any construction or operational activities.

Why Trust Enterclimate for Wildlife Clearance Certificate/License Approval?

Enterclimate offers premium-quality services for wildlife clearance certificate approval. From PEFC certification to preparing a wildlife conservation plan, environmental auditing, securing environmental clearance, wildlife compliance services, and more, we provide end-to-end support. Given below are the reasons why we are the first choice for a wildlife clearance certificate-

• Assisted in Securing Wildlife Clearance for 528+ Projects
• 99% First-time Approval Success across Projects
• 10+ Years of Market Leadership
• 100% Application Tracking until Final Approval
• 24/7 Client Support during Approval Lifecycle
• Assistance from Filing Online Wildlife Clearance Application to Approval
• Zero Missed Compliance Checkpoints during Processing
• 75% Reduction in Avoidable Application Delays
• 90% Faster Coordination with Regulatory Authorities
• Multi-layer Document Verification for Error-free Submissions
• Environmental Wildlife Clearance Support
• Help you get the Wildlife Department NOC Remotely