The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body tasked with the management of Project Tiger and the many Tiger Reserves in India. It was established in December 2005 following the recommendation of the Tiger Task Force

The information from this article about the NTCA will be useful for candidates writing the Government Exams this year.

Overview of the National Tiger Conservation Authority

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 was amended in 2006 to provide for constituting the NTCA.

The objectives of the National Tiger Conservation Authority is as follows:

1. Providing authority to Project Tiger so that its recommendations are implemented to its fullest extent.
2. Nurturing accountability in the management of Tiger Reserves either by the state or Central governments through providing a basis of operations within the federal structure.
3. Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.

The NTCA has eight experts or professionals having qualifications and experience in wildlife conservation, apart from three Members of Parliament of whom two are elected by the Lok Sabha and one by the Council of States. The Inspector-General of Forests, in charge of project Tiger, will be ex-officio Member Secretary.

NTCA – UPSC Notes – Download PDF Here

Powers and Functions of the NTCA

Some of the Powers and Functions under the amended Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is as follows:

1. Evaluate and assess aspects of sustainable ecology while ensuring that no environmentally destructive activities such as mining, the industry is carried out within the proximity of Tiger Reserves.
2. Provide information on protection measures including future conservation plan, estimation of population of tiger and its natural prey species report on untoward happenings such as poaching and any other illegal activities
3. Ensure critical support including scientific, information technology and legal support for better implementation of the tiger conservation plan
4. Facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for skill development of officers and staff of tiger reserves.
5. Facilitate and support the tiger reserve management in the State for biodiversity conservation initiatives through people’s participation by supporting similar initiatives in adjoining areas consistent with the Central and State laws
6. Ensure critical support for Tiger Conservation in India by including scientific, information technology and legal support for better implementation of the tiger conservation plan.

Why is the National Tiger Conservation Authority required?

The body parts of tigers fetch a huge price in the illegal market, this in itself is a huge threat to the tiger population in India. To ensure the survival of Indian tigers, a body like the National Tiger Conservation Authority is required. Keeping tiger protection as a topmost priority, the NTCA cooperates with other bodies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the Police departments by issuing alerts for any illegal poaching activities.

To prevent such activities it carries out the following tasks:

1. Alerting the States as and when required by transmitting information related to poachers
2. Advising the States for combing forest floor to check for snares/traps
3. Providing assistance to States for anti-poaching operations
4. Using information technology for improved surveillance using thermal cameras set up in Jim Corbett National Park.
5. Launching tiger reserve level monitoring using a camera trap to keep a photo ID database of individual tigers.

To know the difference between Biosphere Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary and National Parks, visit the linked article

Candidates can find the complete UPSC Syllabus through the linked article. More exam-related preparation materials will be found through the links given below

Related Links