– A K Bhattacharya
Assessment of Election Manifestos of National Political Parties of India for their Commitments Towards Forests and Wildlife Conservation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Forests and wildlife conservation constitute critical components of India’s ecological security, climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, water security, and livelihood sustainability. India hosts nearly 8% of the world’s biodiversity and supports extensive forest-dependent communities, including Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers. Consequently, the treatment of forests and wildlife in political party manifestos reflects broader ideological positions regarding development, conservation, tribal rights, ecological governance, and sustainability.
This report analyses the commitments made by major national political parties of India in their election manifestos—particularly recent Lok Sabha election manifestos—towards:
- Forest conservation
- Wildlife protection
- Biodiversity management
- Tribal and community forest rights
- Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
- Eco-restoration
- Protected area governance
- Climate-linked forest policies
- Sustainable livelihoods linked with forests
The report covers the manifestos and policy positions of:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Indian National Congress (INC)
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
- Other relevant national-level political perspectives where appropriate
1. INTRODUCTION
India’s forests and wildlife face increasing pressure from:
- Infrastructure expansion
- Mining and industrialization
- Urbanization
- Linear intrusions (roads, railways, transmission lines)
- Climate change
- Habitat fragmentation
- Human-wildlife conflict
- Illegal extraction and encroachment
At the same time, forests contribute significantly to:
- Carbon sequestration
- Hydrological regulation
- Soil conservation
- Biodiversity conservation
- Tribal livelihoods
- Ecotourism
- Climate adaptation
Wildlife conservation in India is globally significant due to the presence of iconic species such as:
- Tiger
- Asian elephant
- One-horned rhinoceros
- Asiatic lion
- Snow leopard
- Great Indian bustard
- Gharial
Election manifestos increasingly recognize these ecological dimensions, although the depth and specificity of commitments vary substantially across political parties.
2. FORESTS AND WILDLIFE IN INDIAN POLITICAL DISCOURSE
Historically, forest and wildlife issues occupied a marginal position in election manifestos except in relation to tribal welfare or rural development. Over time, however, several factors have elevated their importance:
- International climate commitments
- Growing biodiversity concerns
- Judicial activism
- Increasing human-wildlife conflict
- Forest Rights Act implementation debates
- Climate change mitigation through forests
- Eco-tourism and green economy narratives
- Community-based conservation movements
Recent manifestos indicate that forests are increasingly viewed not merely as timber resources but as strategic ecological assets linked with national sustainability and climate resilience.
3. ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL PARTY MANIFESTOS
3.1 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Overall Approach
The BJP’s approach generally integrates forests and wildlife conservation within:
- National development
- Climate action
- Ecological restoration
- Eco-tourism
- Green economy frameworks
The manifesto emphasizes balancing conservation with infrastructure development and economic growth.
Key Commitments
A. Expansion of Forest and Tree Cover
The BJP manifesto commits to:
- Increasing India’s forest and tree cover
- Supporting afforestation and reforestation programmes
- Promoting agroforestry
- Expanding green landscapes
The party aligns these commitments with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under global climate agreements.
B. Wildlife Conservation
The BJP highlights achievements and future commitments regarding:
- Tiger conservation
- Elephant conservation
- Rhino conservation
- Protected area strengthening
The party frequently references:
- Increase in tiger population
- Expansion of protected areas
- Community participation in conservation
C. Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
The manifesto emphasizes:
- Compensation mechanisms
- Technological monitoring
- Wildlife corridors
- Early warning systems
- Community engagement
Human-elephant and tiger conflict mitigation receive particular attention.
D. Eco-Tourism and Green Livelihoods
The BJP supports:
- Eco-tourism expansion
- Nature tourism infrastructure
- Community-based conservation-linked employment
This is linked with rural development and local income generation.
E. River and Landscape Restoration
Programmes like:
- Namami Gange
- Wetland restoration
- Catchment area treatment
are linked indirectly with forest and biodiversity conservation.
Critical Assessment
Strengths
- Strong emphasis on afforestation
- Integration of forests with climate policy
- Focus on flagship wildlife species
- Large-scale landscape restoration vision
Concerns and Criticisms
Critics point to:
- Diversion of forest land for infrastructure and mining
- Dilution concerns regarding environmental clearances
- Limited emphasis on ecological carrying capacity
- Tensions between rapid development and habitat protection
Conservation experts have noted that while wildlife population recovery is highlighted, habitat fragmentation remains a major challenge.
3.2 Indian National Congress (INC)
Overall Approach
The Congress manifesto adopts a more governance-oriented and rights-based conservation framework emphasizing:
- Ecological sustainability
- Institutional strengthening
- Tribal rights
- Biodiversity governance
- Environmental regulation
Key Commitments
A. Forest Rights and Community Participation
The Congress manifesto emphasizes:
- Proper implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA)
- Recognition of tribal and community forest rights
- Community-led forest governance
The party stresses that conservation should not undermine indigenous livelihoods.
B. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Conservation
Commitments include:
- Protection of biodiversity hotspots
- Wetland conservation
- Coastal ecosystem protection
- Ecologically sensitive area management
C. Strengthening Environmental Institutions
Congress proposes:
- Independent environmental regulatory institutions
- Scientific environmental monitoring
- Improved forest governance mechanisms
D. Wildlife Conservation
The manifesto supports:
- Strengthening wildlife protection systems
- Habitat conservation
- Scientific wildlife management
- Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
E. Climate Resilience through Ecosystem Restoration
The party links:
- Forest restoration
- Watershed management
- Climate adaptation
- Sustainable agriculture
into broader resilience planning.
Critical Assessment
Strengths
- Strong institutional approach
- Rights-based conservation perspective
- Greater emphasis on ecological governance
- Focus on local participation
Limitations
- Less emphasis on measurable targets
- Limited detail on financing conservation programmes
- Fewer specifics on protected area expansion
3.3 Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M)
Overall Approach
The CPI(M) frames forests and wildlife conservation through:
- Ecological justice
- Tribal rights
- Anti-corporate environmentalism
- Resistance to indiscriminate resource extraction
The manifesto strongly critiques commercialization and privatization of natural resources.
Key Commitments
A. Protection of Forest Rights
The CPI(M) strongly advocates:
- Full implementation of FRA
- Community forest governance
- Prevention of tribal displacement
B. Opposition to Ecologically Destructive Projects
The party opposes:
- Mining in ecologically sensitive forests
- Large-scale deforestation
- Unregulated industrial expansion
C. Strengthening Environmental Regulation
The manifesto emphasizes:
- Stronger environmental safeguards
- Transparent public hearings
- Scientific ecological assessments
D. Biodiversity Conservation
The party supports:
- Conservation of fragile ecosystems
- Community-led biodiversity protection
- Sustainable resource use
Critical Assessment
Strengths
- Strong ecological justice orientation
- Focus on marginalized communities
- Critical attention to ecological impacts of industrialization
Limitations
- Limited articulation of modern conservation financing mechanisms
- Less focus on technological innovation in wildlife management
3.4 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Overall Approach
AAP’s environmental focus has largely concentrated on:
- Urban ecology
- Pollution control
- Water management
- Urban green spaces
Forest and wildlife conservation receive comparatively less detailed treatment at the national level.
Key Commitments
A. Urban Green Spaces
- Urban plantation
- City biodiversity enhancement
- Public parks and ecological restoration
B. Pollution Reduction
- Air quality improvement
- Waste management reforms
C. Water Conservation
- Lake restoration
- Groundwater recharge
Critical Assessment
Strengths
- Practical urban environmental governance
- Focus on citizen-centric ecological improvements
Limitations
- Limited national-level forest policy articulation
- Minimal wildlife conservation detail
- Weak discussion on biodiversity governance
4. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
| Dimension | BJP | Congress | CPI(M) | AAP |
| Afforestation | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Limited |
| Wildlife Conservation | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Limited |
| Forest Rights | Moderate | Strong | Very Strong | Moderate |
| Protected Area Focus | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Limited |
| Ecological Governance | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
| Human-Wildlife Conflict | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Limited |
| Eco-tourism | Strong | Moderate | Limited | Limited |
| Biodiversity Conservation | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
| Industrial Regulation | Moderate | Strong | Very Strong | Moderate |
| Community Participation | Moderate | Strong | Very Strong | Moderate |
5. MAJOR EMERGING THEMES ACROSS MANIFESTOS
5.1 Forests as Climate Assets
Most parties increasingly view forests as:
- Carbon sinks
- Climate resilience infrastructure
- Ecological security systems
5.2 Increasing Recognition of Tribal Rights
There is broader political acknowledgment of:
- Community forest governance
- FRA implementation
- Indigenous participation
although emphasis varies significantly.
5.3 Wildlife Conservation as National Prestige
Flagship species conservation—especially tiger conservation—has become politically visible and nationally symbolic.
5.4 Growing Importance of Human-Wildlife Conflict
Manifestos increasingly recognize:
- Crop damage
- Livestock depredation
- Human fatalities
- Compensation systems
- Corridor management
6. KEY GAPS AND CHALLENGES
6.1 Lack of Quantifiable Conservation Targets
Most manifestos do not specify:
- Habitat restoration targets
- Biodiversity indicators
- Protected area expansion goals
- Wildlife population benchmarks
- Forest diversion
- Habitat fragmentation
6.2 Contradictions Between Development and Conservation
Major concerns remain regarding:
- Mining expansion
- Linear infrastructure
- Importance of biodiversity conservation
- Need for climate resilience
- Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
6.3 Weak Attention to Lesser-Known Biodiversity
Manifestos focus heavily on charismatic megafauna while underemphasizing:
- Grasslands
- Wetlands
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Invertebrates
- Ecosystem-level conservation
6.4 Limited Scientific Detailing
There is inadequate discussion regarding:
- Landscape ecology
- Climate-induced species migration
- Genetic conservation
- Invasive species management
7. POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The growing presence of forest and wildlife conservation in election manifestos indicates:
- Increasing public ecological awareness
- Recognition of climate-linked forest functions
- Integration of biodiversity with economic planning
However, the real challenge lies not in manifesto commitments alone but in:
- Balancing development with ecological integrity
- Ensuring scientific and participatory conservation
- Strengthening environmental governance
- Protecting both biodiversity and livelihoods
Future conservation governance in India may increasingly require:
- Landscape-level planning
- Community-based conservation
- Scientific ecological monitoring
- Climate-adaptive wildlife management
- Stronger ecological institutions
- Sustainable financing mechanisms
India’s future environmental sustainability will depend substantially on how these political commitments translate into long-term, evidence-based, and socially inclusive conservation action.
8. CONCLUSION
The manifestos of India’s national political parties reveal significant evolution in the political treatment of forests and wildlife conservation.
- The BJP emphasizes afforestation, flagship wildlife conservation, eco-tourism, and climate-linked ecological restoration.
- Congress prioritizes institutional reform, community participation, biodiversity governance, and forest rights.
- CPI(M) strongly foregrounds ecological justice, anti-displacement policies, and protection against extractive industrial expansion.
- AAP focuses more on urban environmental sustainability than national forest governance.
Despite differing ideological approaches, common areas of convergence include:
- Recognition of forests as ecological assets
- Importance of biodiversity conservation
- Need for climate resilience
- Human-wildlife conflict mitigation
REFERENCES
1. Election manifestos of major national political parties of India (2024 Lok Sabha Elections)
2. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India
3. National Forest Policy documents and Forest Survey of India reports
4. Wildlife Institute of India publications
5. National Biodiversity Action Plan documents
6. Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) relating to forests and biodiversity
7. Research articles and policy analyses on environmental governance and election manifestos in India
Author is Retd. IFS, from Bhopal, MP
