Leh, Mar 12: Former Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Jigmet Takpa has been nominated as a Member of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), the apex statutory body responsible for shaping wildlife conservation policies in India.
The nomination, notified in the Gazette of India on March 12, 2026, places Takpa among a select group of eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmental experts entrusted with advising the Government of India on critical wildlife and environmental matters. The board functions under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and the National Board for Wild Life Rules, 2003.
The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and serves as the highest decision-making body on wildlife conservation and policy oversight in the country. Members of the board play a crucial role in reviewing major conservation initiatives, wildlife protection strategies, and environmentally sensitive development projects.
Takpa, a distinguished former IFS officer from Ladakh, has long been associated with forest governance, wildlife conservation, and environmental management in the Himalayan region. His extensive experience in dealing with the unique ecological challenges of high-altitude areas has earned him recognition within conservation circles.
The inclusion of a Ladakhi officer in the national-level body is expected to bring greater attention to the environmental concerns of the trans-Himalayan region, including fragile mountain ecosystems, unique biodiversity, and the balance between conservation and development.
Meanwhile, former Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Tashi Gyalson, congratulated Takpa on his prestigious nomination.
Gyalson said the appointment is a matter of immense pride for Ladakh and will strengthen the region’s representation in national-level decision making on wildlife and environmental issues. He expressed confidence that Takpa’s vast experience in forestry, wildlife and environmental management will help advance Ladakh’s environmental priorities, including balanced wildlife and community-based conservation, promotion of ecotourism, and development of ecologically sensitive renewable energy initiatives.
