Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves in India

PWOnlyIAS March 04, 2024 03:22 834 0

Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves in India, crucial for biodiversity preservation and community empowerment. Discover their roles, significance and delicate balance

Introduction

In India, conservation reserves serve as vital protective zones, establishing connections between national parks, sanctuaries, and reserved forests. Enacted through the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, these reserves contribute significantly to biodiversity preservation.

Conservation Reserves and Community Reserve

Conservation Reserves in India: A Growing Network for Biodiversity Protection

There are 115 existing Conservation Reserves in India covering an area of 5548.75 km2, which is 0.17% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database Centre, Nov. 2023)
Recently, Three new wildlife conservation reserves are Sorsan in Baran, Khichan in Jodhpur, and Hamirgarh in Bhilwara added
These generally act as buffer zones or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.

What is a Conservation Reserve ?

Conservation Reserves are areas owned by the state and situated adjoining to National Parks and sanctuaries, dedicated to safeguarding the habitat, seascape, and biodiversity of fauna and vegetation.
These categories were introduced in response to decreased protection within and around established or planned protected areas resulting from private land ownership and land use changes.
These reserves are controlled by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee.

India’s First Conservation Reserve: A Community-Driven Initiative

The State Government has the authority to designate any authorities-owned region as a conservation reserve after seeking input from nearby groups.
The initiation of India’s inaugural conservation reserve, placed in Thirupudaimaruthur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, was a community-driven effort to guard nesting birds.

Rights of Residents in Conservation Reserves

Residents inside a Conservation Reserve hold their rights unaffected.
Residents of conservation reserves are not subject to any restrictions on their privileges

Conservation Reserves in India

Conservation reserves in India are protected areas established to conserve and control the natural world and their habitats. These reserves are critical for retaining biodiversity and making sure the survival of endangered species

Important Conservation Reserves in India

State	Conservation Reserve Name
Gujarat	Chhari Dhand Conservation Reserve
Haryana	Bir Bara Ban Conservation Reserve
Haryana	Saraswati Plantation Conservation Reserve
Karnataka	Jayamangali Black Buck Conservation Reserve
Karnataka	Kappatagudda Conservation Reserve
Karnataka	Thimmalapura Ummathur Conservation reserve
Maharashtra	Anjneri Conservation Reserve
Maharashtra	Barkada Conservation Reserve
Punjab	Beas River Conservation Reserve
Uttarakhand	Pawalgarh Conservation Reserve
Uttarakhand	Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve
Himachal Pradesh	Shri Naina Devi Conservation Reserve
West Bengal	Tekonia Conservation Reserve

The Role and Significance of Community Reserves in India

Community Reserves are areas that the State Government can designate on community or non-public land, furnish the neighbourhood population or involve people willingly consent to allocate those areas for the protection of nearby flora, fauna, customs, cultures, and practices.

Aim of Community Reserves

The establishment of such reserves aims to conserve biodiversity at the same time as concurrently enhancing the socioeconomic conditions of the local population.
Oversight of a Community Reserve is performed by using a devoted network reserve control committee.

Authority for Conservation Reserve

The State Government has the authority to declare an area as community land through official notification, mainly when a community or an individual volunteers to contribute to the conservation of wildlife and its habitat.

Restrictions on land Use

Within the limits of a Community Reserve, any changes to land usage are strictly prohibited until legal by using a resolution authorised by both the State Government and the Management Committee.

Importance of Conservation in India: Nurturing Biodiversity, Sustaining Ecosystems, and Fostering Global Impact

Conservation efforts in India are essential for maintaining its rich biodiversity, which include various species of flora and fauna determined in numerous ecosystems.

Ecosystem Stability:

Conservation contributes to keeping the stability of ecosystems, making sure ecological stability and the sustained functioning of natural processes.

Water Resources Management:

Protecting forests and natural habitats aids in water conservation, regulating water waft, stopping soil erosion, and maintaining water first-rate.

Climate Change Mitigation:

Conservation practices assist mitigate the influences of weather alternate via retaining carbon sinks, inclusive of forests, and selling sustainable land-use practices.

Sustainable Agriculture:

Conservation measures assist sustainable agricultural practices, decreasing the impact of monoculture and promoting biodiversity in agroecosystems.

Cultural and Heritage Preservation:

Conservation is crucial for protecting culturally sizable landscapes, ancient websites, and conventional know-how, contributing to the preservation of India’s cultural background.

Tourism and Recreation:

Well-conserved natural regions attract ecotourism, supplying recreational opportunities whilst producing earnings for nearby groups and the countrywide financial system.

Mitigation of Natural Disasters:

Healthy ecosystems act as buffers against herbal disasters like floods and landslides, decreasing the vulnerability of groups to such occasions.

Socioeconomic Benefits:

Conservation initiatives create possibilities for sustainable livelihoods, eco-friendly industries, and the development of nature-based total merchandise, fostering socioeconomic properly-being.

Human-Wildlife Harmony:

Conservation efforts make contributions to mitigating conflicts between human beings and wildlife, promoting coexistence and minimising threats to both groups and animal populations.

Research and Education:

Conservation regions function as living laboratories for scientific studies and academic activities, fostering more information of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Global Impact:

India’s conservation efforts contribute to worldwide biodiversity conservation, aligning with worldwide projects and commitments for sustainable improvement and environmental safety.

Community Reserves in India

As of now, There are 220 existing Community Reserves in India covering an area of 1455.16 km2, which is 0.04% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database Centre, Nov, 2023).
The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, which amended the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, It also provides a flexible system to achieve wildlife conservation without compromising community needs.

Important Community Reserves in India

State	Community Reserve
Andhra Pradesh	Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Assam	Charaideo Community Reserve
	Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
	Sadiya Range Community Reserve
Chhattisgarh	Ghotiyari Marwahi Community Reserve
Gujarat	Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary Community Reserve
Gujarat	Barda Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Himachal Pradesh	Kais Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Karnataka	Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Karnataka	Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Kerala	Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary Community Reserve
Maharashtra	Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Maharashtra	Malvan Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Meghalaya	Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Mizoram	Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Nagaland	Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Odisha	Badrama Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Rajasthan	Jawai Bandh Community Reserve
Tamil Nadu	Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Uttarakhand	Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
Uttar Pradesh	Ranipur Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve
West Bengal	Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary Community Reserve

Difference Between Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves

Aspect	Conservation Reserves	Community Reserves
Ownership	Typically state-owned lands.	Can be community or private-owned lands.
Management Authority	Conservation Reserve Management Committee.	Community Reserve Management Committee.
Designated by	State Government in consultation with local communities.	State Government upon consent from the community or individuals willing to conserve wildlife.
Purpose	Preservation of land, sea, and habitat for fauna and flora.	Preservation of local flora, fauna, customs, cultures, and practices along with biodiversity.
Changes in Land Use	No significant restrictions on land use within the reserve.	Changes in land use are only permitted with authorization from both the State Government and the Management Committee.
Number in India	100 conservation reserves covering 0.15% of the country’s geographical area.	219 community reserves covering 0.043% of the nation’s landmass.
Total Area Covered in India	4927.28 km2 (0.15% of India’s total land area).	1446.28 km2 (0.043% of India’s total land area).
Initiative Date	Initiated after the Wildlife (Potection) Amendment Act of 2002.
Management Flexibility	Provides a flexible system for wildlife conservation without jeopardising community needs.	Aims to enhance socioeconomic circumstances of local populations while preserving biodiversity.
Examples	Tiruppadaimarathur Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu.	Gond tribals protecting reserved forests in Mendha (Lekha) village, Maharashtra.

Importance of Community Reserves in India: Fostering Biodiversity, and Preserving Cultural Heritage

Community reserves play an important position in retaining biodiversity, defending quite a few plant life and fauna within their detailed areas.

Community Involvement and Empowerment: Involving nearby groups in the control and conservation of these reserves empowers them, fostering a sense of obligation and possession.
Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Community reserves frequently integrate the preservation of neighbourhood customs, cultures, and practices, contributing to the conservation of India’s wealthy cultural historical past.
Sustainable Resource Management: The advent of community reserves promotes sustainable management of natural sources, ensuring the sturdiness of ecosystems without compromising the wishes of the neighbourhood populace.
Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflict: By actively attractive groups in conservation efforts, those reserves make contributions to mitigating conflicts between human beings and wildlife, creating harmonious coexistence.
Enhancement of Socioeconomic Conditions: The establishment of community reserves pursuits to decorate the socioeconomic situations of nearby populations, supplying opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge: Local groups frequently own conventional expertise about the environment.
- Community reserves function areas to hold and pass down this indigenous knowledge via generations.
Promotion of Ecotourism: Well-managed community reserves can appeal to eco-tourism, providing monetary blessings to neighbourhood communities while promoting responsible tourism practices.
Adaptation to Climate Change: Community involvement in reserve control allows for adaptive techniques to cope with the influences of climate trade on nearby ecosystems.
Education and Awareness: Community reserves serve as instructional hubs, raising awareness about the significance of biodiversity and the want for conservation among local citizens and traffic alike.

Conclusion

Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves serve as vital tools in preserving and protecting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and traditional community rights.
Through these designated areas, efforts are made to balance conservation objectives with sustainable use and community participation.
By promoting community involvement, these reserves play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, and ensuring the well-being of both wildlife and local communities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Areas owned by the state dedicated to protecting habitat, seascape, and biodiversity. Controlled by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee.

100 operational reserves covering 4927.28 km² (0.15% of India's land area).

Yes, the State Government can designate any government-owned region.

Thirupudaimaruthur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

Areas on community or private land dedicated to conserving local flora, fauna, customs, cultures, and practices.

219 operational reserves covering 1446.28 km² (0.043% of India's land area).

Conserve biodiversity while enhancing the socioeconomic conditions of local populations.

The State Government upon consent from the community or individuals.

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Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves in India

Introduction

Conservation Reserves in India: A Growing Network for Biodiversity Protection

What is a Conservation Reserve ?

India’s First Conservation Reserve: A Community-Driven Initiative

Rights of Residents in Conservation Reserves

Conservation Reserves in India

Important Conservation Reserves in India

The Role and Significance of Community Reserves in India

Importance of Conservation in India: Nurturing Biodiversity, Sustaining Ecosystems, and Fostering Global Impact

Important Community Reserves in India

Difference Between Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves

Importance of Community Reserves in India: Fostering Biodiversity, and Preserving Cultural Heritage

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Conservation Reserve in India?

How many Conservation Reserves are there in India?

Can any area be designated as a Conservation Reserve?

Which is India's first Conservation Reserve?

What is a Community Reserve in India?

How many Community Reserves are there in India?

What is the aim of Community Reserves?

Who has the authority to declare an area as a Community Reserve?

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