A Brief Note About Objectives of NTCA

The NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) is a statutory authority. While it is not mentioned under the Indian Constitution, it possesses crucial functions. The NTCA comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. It was set up in 2005 as per the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force, 2005. The main driver behind setting up the National Tiger Conservation Authority was the constantly decreasing population of tigers in the country. The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 was amended in 2006 to accommodate the NTCA and the functions and powers of the NTCA are clearly laid down in the Act. There is an oversight by Parliament on the working of the NTCA.

Why NTCA?

The decrease in the wildlife population and diversity has been a major concern for governments worldwide. Rampant human activities like construction and hunting harm natural resources and the natural habitat of animals. The beginning of this millennium witnessed stringent actions being taken for the protection of wildlife. The NTCA was one such action.

It was formed as per the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force. This task force was created by the then Prime Minister of India. The quickly diminishing population of tigers in the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan came into the media limelight. The mounting pressure from environmental conservation agencies led to the setting up of the Tiger Task Force in 2005. It was charged with the responsibility of assessing the problems in tiger conservation. The problems need to be identified first before a detailed solution could be drafted.

The Tiger Task Force had to come up with methods that could improve the status of tiger conservation in India. A few methods had to be suggested in order to check the poaching of tigers. 

One of the most important recommendations was to set up a statutory authority for Project Tiger of 1973. It is a centrally sponsored scheme that provides financial help to the states with a high tiger population.

Powers and Functions of the NTCA

The National Tiger Conservation Authority has several functions and powers that are outlined below:

1. Laying down standards for tourist activities in areas having a high tiger population: Tourism is a human activity that has the potential to disturb the natural harmony if proper rules are not set up. It is common for people to visit places with a high tiger population. The NTCA lays down tourism guidelines that must be complied with. 

2. Fostering Accountability: One of the most important objectives of the NTCA is that it works towards fostering accountability between states and the centre when it comes to tiger conservation. It safeguards federalism, which is one of the most important principles of our constitution.

3. Taking care of livelihood interests of locals: Animals co-exist with humans. When stringent animal conservation measures are set up, it may threaten the livelihood of locals there. The NTCA ensures that such scenarios do not occur and that the livelihood of locals is safe.

4. Approving plans for tiger conservation: States have to present their detailed plan to the National Tiger Conservation Authority to combat the problem of decreasing the tiger population. Such plans have to be approved by the NTCA before they can be implemented. The states have to take note of any recommendation made by the NTCA and make suggested changes accordingly (if any).

5. Providing measures for human-wildlife conflict: The NTCA also lays guidelines to manage the coexistence of humans and tigers. Humans living in areas with a high tiger population are vulnerable to tiger attacks that may lead to the loss of lives and property. 

6. Estimating Tiger population: The NTCA is also charged with the responsibility of calculating the population of tigers, keeping a check on their species, and having a record of their natural predators. Disease monitoring and mortality surveillance are also carried out by the NTCA.

7. Training tiger protection staff: TImely skill development programs take place for the staff of biosphere reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. It helps them to tackle the issues surrounding the tiger population in a better way.

8. Preventing Tiger poaching: It is one of the most serious problems with regard to tiger conservation in the country. To prevent poaching, the NTCA has taken several measures like installing cameras that allows it to maintain a detailed database of tigers, helping the states to strengthen their surveillance ways, and providing funding for carrying out patrolling exercises where the tiger population is sensitive.

Constitution of the NTCA

Since the NTCA comes under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, the chairperson of the NTCA is the Union Environment and Forests Minister.

Other than that, it has eight professionals who are experts in subjects related to wildlife conservation, tribal livelihood protection, and environmental protection. 3 members of parliament (MP) are also a part of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. 

The ex-officio member secretary of the NTCA is the Inspector-General of Forests (in charge of Project Tiger).

Conclusion

The NTCA is a statutory authority that works toward the conservation of tigers in the country. It has various functions, including but not limited to tiger population surveillance, setting up guidelines to increase their population, and tiger conservation methods. It was set up as per the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force, 2005. At that time, the population of tigers was declining rapidly and urgent measures had to be taken to combat this problem. The NTCA was charged with the responsibility of devising ways that help in tiger conservation. One of the most important functions is to prevent tiger poaching by working closely with states. It works with other statutory bodies to make sure that tiger poaching is prevented.