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Madhya Pradesh High Court Notice: Centre Queried on Wildlife Sanctuary

Source:newindianexpress ↗

Why It Matters

Important for MPPSC aspirants tracking judicial interventions in environmental and wildlife governance within Madhya Pradesh.

Summary

The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued notices to the Centre and the state government following a petition challenging the approval procedures for setting up a wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, bringing focus to environmental jurisprudence and statutory clearances.

Key Points

  • The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued a notice to the Centre and state authorities regarding the approval process for a new wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The legal petition challenges procedural or statutory compliances concerning sanctuary notifications and environmental clearances under the wildlife framework.
  • The case highlights the judicial oversight on environmental governance, forest land use, and wildlife conservation approvals in Madhya Pradesh.

Important Terms

Wildlife Protection Act 1972

Landmark Indian legislation enacted in 1972 providing legal frameworks for establishing protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and regulating wildlife trade and habitat protection.

UPSC context

MPPSC Paper III (Environment, Biodiversity and Environmental Protection) and Prelims: tests statutory framework for wildlife conservation in India and MP.

Source
National Board for Wildlife

The apex statutory advisory body in India constituted under Section 5A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, chaired by the Prime Minister to review projects impacting protected areas.

UPSC context

MPPSC Prelims and Mains Paper III: tests knowledge of environmental statutory bodies and decision-making mechanisms for wildlife sanctuaries.

Source

Prelims Trap

The Centre alone holds the statutory authority to notify and alter the boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries across states without state consultation.

Aspirants often confuse the power of declaring a wildlife sanctuary (vested in State Government) with the power of altering boundaries or clearing projects in sanctuaries (which requires National Board for Wildlife approval).

Static Concepts Connected

Madhya Pradesh Geography and Environment Conservation

What are the key provisions for declaring a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?

  • Notification Power: State government may by notification declare any area other than reserve forest/territorial waters as a sanctuary under Section 26A or 18.
  • Rights Settlement: Collector determines and settles rights of any person over the land proposed to be declared as a sanctuary.
  • Boundary Alteration: Alteration of boundaries of any sanctuary requires a recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Wildlife sanctuaries vs. Infrastructure projects in MP

    Judicial review of environmental clearances under the Wildlife Protection Act intersects directly with forest diversion frameworks for major multipurpose dams in MP.

MP High Court petitions on wildlife sanctuary notifications and NBWL clearances will likely be tested in MPPSC Prelims Unit 7/10.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2023MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Which type of forests are not found in Madhya Pradesh ?

  • 2025MPPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The Government of India passed the Environment (Protection) Act to protect and improve the quality of environment in: