Wildlife Clearance Certificate

Eligibility Requirements for Wildlife Clearance Registration

The key eligibility requirements needed to be fulfilled to apply for wildlife clearance registration in India are as follows:

• The project must either be within a protected area or within a 10 km radius of a wildlife protected area.
• The projects must be duly approved and recommended by the State Board for Wildlife.
• The project involves a diversion of land within a designated Wildlife Sanctuary or National Park.
• The projects must prove that the proposed activity is the only viable option and requires no alternative location outside the protected area.

Applicants Eligible to Obtain Wildlife NOC Certificate

Some of the entities proposing the following projects are eligible to obtain a wildlife NOC certificate in India:

• Entities proposing linear and infrastructure projects.
• Entities proposing mining and quarrying activities within 10 km of a National Park.
• Entities intending to operate eco-tourism & hospitality business within an SEZ.
• Any industrial & manufacturing unit having an ambient air impact zone within an SEZ.
• Real estate and township projects in SEZ or near wildlife corridors.
• Entities proposing defence & strategic projects through SEZ stretches.

How to Obtain a Wildlife Conservation Approval?

The applicants intending to obtain a wildlife conservation approval must comply with the step-by-step procedure, as discussed below:

1. Step: Wildlife Screening & ESZ Status Check
   The first step is to conduct a thorough wildlife screening & ESZ status check of your projects against the layer of National Parks, Tiger Reserves, and notified ESZ.


2. Step: Documentation Roadmap & Mitigation Design
   The next step requires preparing a proper documentation roadmap & mitigation design, including underpasses, overpasses, lighting controls, and habitat connectivity restoration.


3. Step: Chief Wildlife Warden Coordination
   The next step requires coordinating with the Chief Wildlife Warden to conduct a site inspection, conduct biodiversity surveys, and prepare the site inspection report.


4. Step: Obtain State Board Recommendation Letter
   In the next step, it is crucial to file an SBWL application form, attend meetings, and present the project to obtain a recommendation letter from the State Board for Wildlife.


5. Step: PARIVESH 2.0 Online Application Filing
   The next step is to file detailed project information to further submit parts I & II of the application form directly through the official PARIVESH 2.0 portal.


6. Step: MoEFCC Wildlife Division Scrutiny
   In the next step, the MoEFCC Local Wildlife Division Officer or Warden is further authorised to conduct an initial scrutiny, inspect the project site, and consult the Chief Wildlife Warden.


7. Step: Obtain NTCA/ Additional Approvals
   It is further required to obtain the National Tiger Conservation Authority's approval and any additional approvals if the project affects a Tiger Reserve or a critical corridor.


8. Step: Issuance of Wildlife Clearance Certificate
   Post the SC-NBWL recommendation, the MoEFCC issues the final wildlife clearance certificate, which carries a unique reference number and project-specific conditions.

Types of Wildlife Clearance for Projects in India

The different types of wildlife clearance for projects in India are as follows:

• Protected Area Clearance: Protected area clearance is a specified wildlife clearance required for any project, survey, or investigation that falls within or passes through a National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary or Conservation Reserve.
• Eco-Sensitive Zone Clearance: Eco-sensitive zone clearance is required for projects located within the prescribed ESZ surrounding a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary. The license is further processed at the State level, with highly sensitive cases escalated to the NBWL Standing Committee.
• Wildlife Conservation Plan: A wildlife conservation plan, which is submitted as part of the Environmental Clearance, is required for projects that affect the habitats of Schedule I fauna, even if the project is located outside the designated PAS or ESZs.
• Non-Forestry Activity Survey & Investigation Permit: A non-forestry activity survey investigation permit is required for preliminary surveys, feasibility studies, or investigations in wildlife habitats before formal project proposals are drafted.