(1) The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Tiger Conservation Authority (hereinafter in this Chapter referred to as the Tiger Conservation Authority), to exercise the powers conferred on, and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act.
(2) The Tiger Conservation Authority shall consist of the following members, namely:—
(a) the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Environment and Forests—Chairperson;
(b) the Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment and Forests—Vice-Chairperson;
(c) three members of Parliament of whom two shall be elected by the House of the People and one by the Council of States;
(d) eight experts or professionals having prescribed qualifications and experience in conservation of wild life and welfare of people living in tiger reserve out of which at least two shall be from the field of tribal development;
(e) Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests;
(f) Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests;
(g) Director, Wild Life Preservation, Ministry of Environment and Forests;
(h) six Chief Wild Life Wardens from the tiger reserve States in rotation for three years;
(i) an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary and Legislative Counsel from the Ministry of Law and Justice;
1. Subs. by Act 16 of 2003, s. 24, for section 38-I (w.e.f. 1-4-2003).
2. Ins. by Act 39 of 2006, s. 2 (w.e.f. 4-9-2006).
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(j) Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs;
(k) Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment;
(l) Chairperson, National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes;
(m) Chairperson, National Commission for the Scheduled Castes;
(n) Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj;
(o) Inspector-General of Forests or an officer of the equivalent rank having at least ten years experience in a tiger reserve or wildlife management, who shall be the Member-Secretary, to be notified by the Central Government, in the Official Gazette.
(3) It is hereby declared that the office of member of the Tiger Conservation Authority shall not disqualify its holder for being chosen as, or for being, a member of either House of Parliament.