Community Reserve: Meaning, Example, Features, Significance & More

A Community Reserve is a protected area designated for the purpose of conservation of wildlife and biodiversity, where the local community is actively involved in the management and governance of the area. Formed under the 2002 Amendment of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, Community Reserves ensure local participation and highlight the importance of traditional knowledge in conservation efforts. Such reserves are set up on both privately-owned and community-owned lands, so that human requirements do not come into conflict with the survival of wildlife.

This is a subject for the General Studies Paper III of the UPSC exam, under the subject Environment and Ecology. It includes appreciating the policies of biodiversity conservation and managing natural resources in a sustainable manner.

What is Community Reserve?

A Community Reserve is a category within the framework of protected areas, which gives recognition to community-led conservation initiatives legally. These are established on private or community land and involve the active participation of local communities in conservation and management efforts. Community Reserves offer a structured legal framework that aims at conserving biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods of the locals, and their cultural heritage.

Community Reserve Example

An example of a Community Reserve is the Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve in Punjab. Started in 2007, it was the first such reserve in India. The reserve covers a vast wetland ecosystem and is managed with active participation by the local villagers. The initiative has thus led to many bird species from extinction and, more importantly, has offered alternative livelihood options to the community by providing some benefits through eco-tourism and sustainable harvesting.

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Key Features of Community Reserves

Some key features characterizing Community Reserves:

• Community Involvement: The management and decision-making efforts are placed squarely on the shoulders of local communities or landowners to provide grassroots-level involvement.
• Legislative Framework: Community Reserves are instituted through the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and, therefore, have a strong legal underpinning that would also aid the cause of conservation.
• Sustainable Practices: Focuses on the sustainable exploitation of natural resources in relation to the integration of traditional knowledge with conservation practices.
• Cultural Preservation: Preserves areas important for the cultural and historical heritage of local people that also conserve traditional practices and way of life.

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Significance of Community Reserves in India

Community Reserves are important in India for multiple reasons:

• Biodiversity Conservation: They broaden the protection network beyond the confines of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, thereby contributing significantly towards the overall Biodiversity Conservation.
• Community Empowerment: The involvement of local people in conservation enables the empowerment of communities, giving them a stake in the protection of wildlife.
• Economic Benefits: Encourage eco-tourism and resource use sustainably, contributing to economic benefits and enhancing livelihoods for local communities.
• Conflict Reduction: Helps reduce human-wildlife conflict by involving communities in the management process to ensure balance in coexistence.
• Cultural Value: Protects and promotes cultural heritage based on traditional knowledge, thus aligning conservation with cultural values.

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Important Community Reserves in India

Some of the major community reserves in India include the following:

• Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Punjab: The pioneering reserve covers an area of approximately 343 hectares and is known for its rich wetland biodiversity.
• Senchal Community Reserve, West Bengal: Located near Darjeeling, the Senchal Community Reserve involves local communities in the management of forested areas and wildlife.
• Ziro Community Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh: For conserving the agro-biodiversity unique to the Apatani plateau; emphasis on traditional rice-fish cultivation systems.
• Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary, Nagaland: It is run by the Angami tribe with a purpose of conservation of the species Blyth's Tragopan and other species of wildlife.

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Difference Between Community Reserve and Conservation Reserve

The table below shows the major differences between a community and a conservation reserve:

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Conclusion

Community Reserves are an approach towards conservation which brings into a mosaic the participation of local communities along with biodiversity conservation. Apart from the biological advantages that they bestow, the socio-economic and cultural benefits for the local people are also important. While involving a sense of community, these reserves ensure sustainable conservation practices that could be repeated in many lands across India. Strengthening legislative support and providing necessary resources to these communities can make all the difference between the continued success and expansion of Community Reserves.

We hope your doubts regarding the topic have been addressed after going through the above article. Testbook offers good quality preparation material for different competitive examinations. Succeed in your UPSC IAS exam preparations by downloading the Testbook App here!