- The State Government holds the authority to designate any communal or private land as a Community Reserves, provided that the concerned community members or individuals consent to dedicating these areas to safeguard fauna, flora, as well as their traditions, cultures, and practices.
- The primary objective of such designations is to enhance the socioeconomic conditions of the residents within these areas while concurrently promoting wildlife conservation.
- The oversight and management of the Community Reserve are entrusted to a Community Reserve Management Committee.
- In cases where a community or an individual willingly undertakes the responsibility of conserving wildlife and its habitat, the State Government can officially declare the area as community land through a formal notification.
- The utilization of land within the Community Reserve cannot undergo alterations in its pattern without proper authorization.
- Any proposed changes must be endorsed by a resolution passed by the Management Committee and subsequently approved by the State Government.
- As of now, there exist 219 established community reserves in India, encompassing a total area of 1446.28 km2, which accounts for 0.043 percent of the country’s geographical expanse.
EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY RESERVES
Examples of Community Conserved Areas in India showcase diverse instances where local communities have taken proactive measures to protect and conserve natural resources. Here are some noteworthy examples:
- Mendha (Lekha) Village, Maharashtra:
- The Gond tribals in Mendha (Lekha) village, Maharashtra, have safeguarded 1800 hectares of reserved and protected forest for over two decades.
- This conservation effort is an outcome of the struggle for tribal self-government.
- Jardhargaon Village, Uttaranchal:
- The residents of Jardhargaon village in Uttaranchal have played a crucial role in the regeneration and protection of 600-700 hectares of Reserved Forests and grasslands.
- They actively oppose limestone mining and engage in the in-situ conservation of numerous varieties of indigenous crops.
- Kolavipalam Fisherfolk Community, Kerala:
- The Kolavipalam fisherfolk community in Kerala is dedicated to the protection of sea turtle eggs, hatchlings, and nesting sites.
- Kokkare Bellur Village, Karnataka:
- Villagers in Kokkare Bellur village, Karnataka, have a longstanding tradition of conserving Painted Stork and Spot-billed Pelican nesting sites.
- Tokpa Kabui Village, Manipur:
- The Ronmei tribe in Tokpa Kabui village, Manipur, has successfully regenerated 600 hectares of village forest in the Loktak Lake catchment.
- The community has self-imposed a hunting ban on the endangered Sangai deer (Brow antlered deer) in this area.
- Sacred Groves Across India:
- Thousands of sacred groves are preserved by local communities across the country, reflecting their commitment to conservation despite the rapid depletion of such areas.
- Sariska National Park, Rajasthan:
- In and around Rajasthan’s Sariska National Park, the NGO Tarun Bharat Sangh is leading initiatives focused on forest regeneration, revival of traditional water harvesting structures, regulated use of water and forest resources, and a ban on hunting of wild animals by villagers.
FAQs – COMMUNITY RESERVES
1. What is a Community Reserve?
A: A Community Reserve is an area designated by the State Government, either communal or private land, dedicated to safeguarding fauna, flora, traditions, cultures, and practices with the consent of the concerned community or individuals. The primary goal is to improve socioeconomic conditions while promoting wildlife conservation.
2. Who oversees the management of Community Reserves?
A: The oversight and management of Community Reserves are entrusted to a Community Reserve Management Committee.
3. How can an area be declared as a Community Reserve?
A: If a community or individual willingly undertakes the responsibility of conserving wildlife and its habitat, the State Government can officially declare the area as community land through a formal notification.
4. Can the land use pattern within a Community Reserve be altered?
A: No, the utilization of land within a Community Reserve cannot undergo alterations in its pattern without proper authorization. Any proposed changes must be endorsed by a resolution passed by the Management Committee and subsequently approved by the State Government.
5. How many Community Reserves exist in India, and what is their total area?
A: As of now, there are 219 established Community Reserves in India, covering a total area of 1446.28 km2, which accounts for 0.043 percent of the country’s geographical expanse.
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