- It is a government-owned region situated adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries, aimed at safeguarding the landscape, seascape, and habitats of fauna and flora.
- Oversight of these areas is managed by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee.
- Upon consultation with local communities, the State Government has the authority to designate any government-owned area as a conservation reserve.
- The Tiruppadaimarathur Conservation Reserve in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, holds the distinction of being the country’s inaugural conservation reserve.
- The village community took proactive measures to protect the nesting birds in their village, leading to the establishment of this conservation reserve.
- The establishment of a conservation reserve does not infringe upon the rights of individuals residing within its boundaries.
- Currently, there are 100 operational conservation reserves in India, covering an extensive area of 4927.28 km2, which constitutes 0.15 percent of the country’s total geographical area.
SIGNIFICANCE OF CONVERSATION RSERVE
- The significance of conservation reserves lies in the collaborative efforts of local communities and private organizations involved in their administration.
- Changes to the Wildlife Protection Act in 2003 have enabled the recognition and legal support of community-led wildlife protection initiatives.
- Conservation reserves offer a flexible framework for safeguarding wildlife, addressing the needs of the local population without compromising on protection measures.
- In areas where protection in and around existing or potential protected areas has diminished due to private land ownership and use, the establishment of conservation reserves becomes crucial.
- These reserves provide a mechanism to address conservation challenges and uphold the delicate balance between wildlife protection and the interests of local communities.
SOME OF THE MAJOR CONSERVATION RESERVES
Gujarat
- Chharidhandh Conservation Reserve
Haryana
- Bir Bara Ban Conservation Reserve
- Saraswati Plantation Conservation Reserve
Jammu and Kashmir
- Khiram Conservation Reserve
- Panyar Conservation Reserve
- Khanagund Conservation Reserve
- Shikargah Conservation Reserve
- Khrew Conservation Reserve
- Khonmoh Conservation Reserve
- Brain-Nishat Conservation Reserve
- Khimber/Dara/Sharazbal Conservation Reserve
- Wangat/Chatergul Conservation Reserve
- Ajas Conservation Reserve
- Naganari Conservation Reserve
- Zaloora, Harwan Conservation Reserve
- Sudhmahadev Conservation Reserve
- Jawahar Tunnel Conservation Reserve
- Thein Conservation Reserve
- Bahu Conservation Reserve
- Sabu Conservation Reserve
- Boodh Karbu Conservation Reserve
- Hokera (Ramsar Site) (WL) Conservation Reserve
- Narkara (WL) Conservation Reserve
- Manibugh (WL) Conservation Reserve
- Chatlam, Pampore (WL) Conservation Reserve
- Mirgund (WL) Conservation Reserve
- Shallabugh (WL) Conservation Reserve
- Ajas (WL) Conservation Reserve
FAQs – CONSERVATION RESERVE
1. What is a Conservation Reserve?
A: A Conservation Reserve is a government-owned area located adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries, designed to protect landscapes, seascapes, and habitats of fauna and flora. Oversight is provided by a Conservation Reserve Management Committee.
2. How are Conservation Reserves designated?
A: State Governments, after consulting local communities, have the authority to designate any government-owned area as a conservation reserve. The Tiruppadaimarathur conservation reserve in Tamil Nadu was the first in India.
3. Does the establishment of a Conservation Reserve affect local residents’ rights?
A: No, the establishment of a conservation reserve does not infringe upon the rights of individuals residing within its boundaries.
4. How many Conservation Reserves are there in India?
S: Currently, there are 100 operational conservation reserves in India, covering an area of 4927.28 km2, constituting 0.15 percent of the country’s total geographical area.
5. What is the significance of Conservation Reserves?
A: Conservation Reserves are significant due to collaborative efforts involving local communities and private organizations in their administration. Changes to the Wildlife Protection Act in 2003 have enabled the recognition and legal support of community-led wildlife protection initiatives.
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