Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves of India

Conservation reserves and community reserves also known as Protected areas play a crucial role in India by serving as connectors and buffer zones between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and forests. These are owned either by the government or communities, with administration handled by local agencies like gram panchayats, marking the first instances of private land receiving legislative protection and allowing for potential for-profit wildlife resorts and safeguarding privately held areas under non-profit organizations.

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Table of Content

• What are Conservation Reserves?
• What are Community Reserves?
• Examples of Community Conserved Areas in India
• Importance of Conservation/Community Reserves
• Conservation Reserves in India
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are Conservation Reserves?

• Conservation Reserves are the state-owned areas adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries that protect landscapes, seascapes, and habitats.
• Conservation Reserve Management Committee oversees these areas.
• Declaration: State Government can declare government-owned areas as conservation reserves after consulting local communities.
• India’s First Conservation Reserve: Tiruppadaimarathur in Tamil Nadu.
• Village community established a conservation reserve to protect nesting birds.
• Rights of People: It remains unchangedwithin a Conservation Reserve remain unchanged.
• India has 100 conservation reserves, covering 4927.28 km2 (0.15% of the country’s geographical area).

What are Community Reserves?

• The State Government has the authority to designate community or private land as a Community Reserve.
• This designation protects wildlife, traditions, cultures, and practices of the community or individuals involved.
• Main Goal: to improve socioeconomic conditions in these areas while conserving wildlife.
• The Reserve is managed by a Community Reserve Management Committee.
• If a community or individual volunteers to conserve wildlife and its habitat, the State Government can declare the area as community land through a notification.
• Any changes in land use within the Community Reserve require approval from the Management Committee and the State Government.
• At present, India has 219 community reserves, covering an area of 1446.28 km2, which is 0.043 per cent of the country’s total geographical area.

Examples of Community Conserved Areas in India

• Gond tribals in Mendha (Lekha) village, Maharashtra, protect 1800ha of reserved and protected forest for tribal self-government.
• Jardhargaon villagers in Uttaranchal regenerate and protect 600-700ha of forests and grasslands, fight against limestone mining, and conserve indigenous crops.
• Kolavipalam fisherfolk community in Kerala protect sea turtle eggs, hatchlings, and nesting sites.
• Kokkare Bellur villagers in Karnataka conserve nesting sites for Painted Storks and Spot-billed Pelicans.
• Ronmei tribe in Tokpa Kabui village, Manipur, regenerate 600ha of village forest and self-impose a hunting ban on endangered Sangai deer.
• Local communities preserve numerous sacred groves across the country despite depletion.
• NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh leads forest regeneration, traditional water harvesting, regulated resource use, and hunting ban around Rajasthan’s Sariska National Park.

Importance of Conservation/Community Reserves

• Community Reserves and Conservation Reserves in India involve local communities and private organizations in managing protected areas.
• The Wildlife Protection Act amendments in 2003 legally recognized and supported community-led wildlife protection efforts.
• This system allows for flexible wildlife conservation while considering community needs.
• These categories were established due to reduced protection around existing or proposed protected areas caused by private land ownership and land use.

Conservation Reserves in India

Conclusion

The introduction of protected area categories in India through legislative amendments aimed to address the challenges posed by private ownership and land use. These challenges are leading to the establishment of conservation reserves and community reserves that align with international IUCN designations, with notable examples including the Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve and the Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve. While recent initiatives have resulted in the creation of unique reserves such as the sea cucumber reserve and marine bird conservation reserve.

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FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)