- IDWH, known as the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, was introduced as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme during the eleventh Plan period.
- Its objective is to offer technical and financial assistance to States/UTs for the conservation of natural wildlife habitats.
- The scheme encompasses various activities, including staff development and capacity building, wildlife research and assessment, anti-poaching initiatives, wildlife veterinary care, addressing human-animal conflicts, and promoting eco-tourism.
- Additionally, financial assistance is extended to States for relocating communities from within wildlife-protected areas to alternative regions.
IDWH – PLANNING
The plan is structured into three key segments:
- Support to Protected Areas: This involves assistance to National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves.
- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas: Measures are taken to ensure the well-being of wildlife in areas beyond designated protected zones.
- Recovery Programs: Initiatives are implemented to rescue and rehabilitate critically endangered species and their habitats.
IDWH- OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the program are outlined as follows:
- Support to Protected Zones: Providing aid and support to National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves.
- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas: Implementing measures to safeguard wildlife in regions that are not officially designated as protected areas.
- Recovery Programs: Undertaking programs aimed at the preservation and restoration of critically endangered species and their habitats.
EXERCISES COVERED UNDER IDWH
Activities encompassed by IDWH include:
- Board Planning and Capacity Building
- Enhancement of wildlife research, education, and environmental awareness
- Personnel development and capacity building
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Management Planning
- Anti-poaching and infrastructure development
- Anti-poaching initiatives
- Strengthening of infrastructure
- Strengthening wildlife veterinary care
- Strengthening Staff welfare activities
- Restoration of habitats
- Habitat improvement initiatives
- Safeguards/Retrofitting measures
- Eco-development and community-oriented activities
- Addressing human-wildlife conflict
- Strengthening conjunction plan
- Identifying untouched areas and relocating villages from critical wildlife habitats
- Promoting ecotourism
- Support to practices in Trans-boundary Protected Areas
IDWH- SEGMENTS OF PLAN’
- Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves)
- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas
- Recovery programs for saving species and habitats primarily
- Protected Areas in India
- India boasts 700 Protected Areas, comprising 103 National Parks, 528 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 65 Conservation Reserves, and 4 Community Reserves. Explore the significant role of Protected Areas in India here.
Project Elephant (PE)
- Project Elephant, initiated by the Government of India in 1991-92 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, has the following objectives:
- To safeguard elephants, their habitats, and corridors.
- To address issues related to human-elephant conflict.
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF WILDLIFE HABITATS – ACHIEVEMENTS
- In addition to significant environmental benefits and the successful implementation of tiger conservation efforts in and around tiger reserves under Project Tiger, wildlife conservation initiatives in Protected Areas and adjacent regions, as well as ongoing efforts in Wildlife Habitats and Elephant conservation initiatives in Project Elephant areas, would result in overall strengthening and consolidation of tiger, elephant, and wildlife conservation in the country.
- These initiatives aim to effectively address human-wildlife conflict. Moreover, they are anticipated to create employment opportunities, leading to the economic upliftment of communities residing in and around tiger reserves and Protected Areas.
- This, in turn, will contribute to reducing dependence on natural resources by promoting sustainable energy usage.
- The implementation of these initiatives is expected to generate approximately 30 lakh man-days of direct employment annually, involving various local tribes and the non-tribal local workforce.
- Additionally, the local population will receive indirect benefits, with opportunities for employment in roles such as guides, drivers, hospitality staff, and other support positions.
- These initiatives will promote the development of diverse skills, empowering local communities to become self-reliant through various eco-development projects and encouraging them to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
- Furthermore, these efforts will result in resource generation through tourist visits, aiding in securing tiger source areas and other critical wildlife conservation zones.
- They will also play a crucial role in sustaining life support systems and ensuring food, water, and job security for the local population.
FAQs – Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat (IDWH)
1. What is IDWH (Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats)?
A: IDWH, known as Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme introduced during the eleventh Plan period. It aims to provide technical and financial assistance to States/UTs for the conservation of natural wildlife habitats.
2. What are the key activities covered under IDWH?
A: IDWH encompasses various activities, including staff development, wildlife research, anti-poaching initiatives, wildlife veterinary care, addressing human-animal conflicts, and promoting eco-tourism. Financial assistance is also provided for relocating communities from within wildlife protected areas to alternative regions.
3. How is the plan structured under IDWH?
A: The plan under IDWH is structured into three key segments:
- Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves)
- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas
- Recovery Programs for saving species and habitats
4. What are the objectives of IDWH?
A: The objectives of IDWH are outlined as follows:
- Support to Protected Zones
- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas
- Recovery Programs for critically endangered species and habitats
5. Can you provide examples of exercises covered under IDWH?
A: Activities covered under IDWH include Board Planning and Capacity Building, wildlife research, education, anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts, among others.
6. What are the segments of the plan under IDWH?
A: IDWH plan has three segments:
- Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves)
- Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas
- Recovery programs for saving species and habitats primarily
7. What is Project Elephant, and how does it relate to IDWH?
A: Project Elephant, initiated in 1991-92, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to safeguard elephants, their habitats, and corridors. It is part of the broader conservation efforts under IDWH.
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