Environment & ClimateImportant2025-12-21

28th NTCA and 22nd Project Elephant Meetings

Q: Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. Under the Project Cheetah expansion plan, the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being prepared as a second habitat in Rajasthan.

A) 1 only — Statement 1 is correct as NTCA is a statutory body constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh, not Rajasthan.

Why focus: Joint NTCA/Elephant steering meeting — GS3 Environment, tests statutory body composition and Gandhisagar cheetah expansion facts.

In News

What Happened

On December 21, 2025, the 28th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the 22nd Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant were held jointly at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. Chaired by the Union Environment Minister, the meeting reviewed the expansion of Project Cheetah and the preparations for the 6th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation.

Why It Matters

This joint meeting highlights a unified, landscape-level approach to conserving India's megafauna, integrating tiger and elephant conservation strategies. Expanding Project Cheetah to new habitats and utilizing advanced methodologies for tiger estimation ensures the robust scientific management of India's biodiversity.

Background

History & Context

The NTCA is a statutory body established in 2005 via an amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, following recommendations of the Tiger Task Force. Project Elephant was launched earlier in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Project Cheetah began in 2022 with the introduction of African cheetahs to Kuno National Park, necessitating new habitats to support population growth. The All India Tiger Estimation is conducted every four years using the M-STrIPES monitoring system.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Project Cheetah was primarily confined to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. NOW: The project is officially expanding to prepare alternative sites like Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) and Banni Grasslands (Gujarat).
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BEFORE: The 5th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation was completed for the 2022 census. NOW: Preparations are officially underway for the 6th cycle (2026), upgrading the M-STrIPES methodology for enhanced tracking accuracy.
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BEFORE: NTCA and Project Elephant steering committees often held separate, isolated policy reviews. NOW: Joint meetings like this one at Sundarbans emphasize an integrated administrative approach to landscape-level conservation for both flagship species.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly relates to Class 12 Biology Chapter 15 - Biodiversity and Conservation. It demonstrates the practical application of in-situ conservation strategies, showing how statutory bodies manage threatened populations, restore ecosystems, and conduct scientific monitoring like M-STrIPES.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. Under the Project Cheetah expansion plan, the Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary is being prepared as a second habitat in Rajasthan.

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