Context: The Union Cabinet recently approved the continuance of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats Program for the 15th Finance Commission cycle.

About Integrated Development Of Wildlife Habitat Scheme

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme initiated by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

• During the 11th Plan Period, it was operationalized by adding more components and activities to the former Centrally Sponsored Scheme - "Assistance for the Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries".

• It plans to increase technical interventions in many thematic areas in tiger and other wildlife habitats throughout the current and upcoming fiscal years.

• This initiative will help 55 tiger reserves, 33 elephant reserves, and 718 protected areas, as well as their zones of impact. 

The Components of the Scheme

• Support for Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves).

• Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected areas.

• Recovery programs to save critically endangered species and environments.

Subcomponents Of IDWH

• Project Tiger- It aims to maintain a sustainable population of Bengal tigers ('endangered') in their native habitats and safeguard them from extinction. It also backs the ambitious Project Cheetah in the country.

• Project Elephant- It aims to protect elephant populations and habitats, prevent human-elephant conflicts, and promote the well-being of captive elephants.

• Development of Wildlife Habitat- This sub-component includes both Project Dolphin and Project Lion.

Significance of the scheme

• The scheme has a livelihood generation of more than 50 lakh man days through direct engagement in addition to indirect employment through eco-tourism and ancillary activities.

• 55 tiger reserves, 33 elephant reserves and 718 protected areas and their zones are going to benefit under it.

• In addition, the cause of keystone species occupying these landscapes, especially the tiger, the elephant, the cheetah, the snow leopard and the lion, which act as an indicator of these ecosystems will be furthered.