National Tiger Conservation Authority: the statutory body that approves tiger conservation plans
Background
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
It was constituted under section 38 L (1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
The Minister in charge of the Ministry is the Chairperson and the Minister of State is Vice-Chairperson; three members of Parliament, the Secretary of the Ministry and other members sit on it.
It approves the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government and disallows ecologically unsustainable land use such as mining and industry within tiger reserves.
It may issue directions in writing to any person, officer or authority, who are bound to comply.
Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry that funds tiger range States for in-situ conservation in designated tiger reserves.
In plain words
Section 38 O Powers and functions of the Authority — It lets the Authority approve tiger conservation plans and issue binding written directions.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme Scheme funded with central support and run by States — Project Tiger is one, funding tiger range States.