Section 38U of WLPA : Section 38U: Constitution Of Steering Committee

Explanation using Example

Imagine a scenario where a State Government in India has observed a decline in the tiger population within its jurisdiction due to poaching and habitat loss. To tackle this issue, the government decides to invoke Section 38U of The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and constitutes a Steering Committee.

The committee is formed with the Chief Minister as the Chairperson and the Minister in charge of Wild Life as the Vice-Chairperson. It includes five official members with at least two Field Directors from tiger reserves, one official from the tribal affairs department, three wildlife conservation experts (with one specializing in tribal development), two members from the Tribal Advisory Council, and one representative each from the departments of Panchayati Raj and Social Justice and Empowerment. The Chief Wild Life Warden is appointed as the Member-Secretary.

This committee meets to strategize on effective measures to protect and conserve tigers, their co-predators, and prey animals. They discuss anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration projects, and community engagement programs that involve local tribes in conservation efforts, demonstrating the practical application of Section 38U.