Community Reserves

Community Reserves are a category of protected areas in India established to conserve wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems through the active participation of local communities. They represent a unique approach under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, which encourages conservation efforts on community- or privately-owned lands without displacing local populations. Community Reserves thus serve as an important bridge between formal conservation systems (like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries) and community-led management, reflecting India’s commitment to participatory and inclusive environmental governance.

Legal Framework and Background

Before 2002, the Indian wildlife protection framework primarily included National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves, all managed by the government. These categories, however, often restricted local access and control, leading to conflicts with indigenous and rural communities.
To address this, the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002, introduced two new categories:

1. Conservation Reserves – for government-owned lands adjacent to protected areas.
2. Community Reserves – for community or privately-owned lands where local people are willing to participate in conservation.

These provisions are contained in Chapter IV-A (Sections 36C to 36E) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, enabling states and Union Territories to declare community reserves in consultation with local stakeholders.

Definition

A Community Reserve is defined as an area (other than a conservation reserve) that is declared by the State Government after consultation with local communities or individuals, where:

• The land is private or community-owned, and
• The local community voluntarily agrees to conserve wildlife, habitats, or biodiversity.

These reserves recognise the role of local inhabitants as custodians of biodiversity, ensuring that conservation objectives align with livelihood and cultural needs.

Objectives of Community Reserves

1. To promote community participation in wildlife and habitat conservation.
2. To protect biodiversity-rich areas outside formal protected networks.
3. To encourage the sustainable use of natural resources through traditional practices.
4. To strengthen local stewardship over ecological assets.
5. To create ecological corridors linking existing protected areas.
6. To integrate conservation with rural development and ecotourism initiatives.

Ownership and Management

• The ownership of land in a community reserve remains with the local community or individual landowners.
• The State Government formally notifies the reserve and provides legal protection to its biodiversity.
• A Community Reserve Management Committee (CRMC) is constituted by the state government under Section 36D of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Composition of the Committee:

• Chairperson – nominated from the local community.
• Members – representatives of landowners, the local panchayat, NGOs, and the State Forest Department.

The committee is responsible for preparing management plans, regulating resource use, preventing poaching or encroachment, and ensuring ecological integrity in collaboration with the Forest Department.

Salient Features of Community Reserves

1. Voluntary Participation: Established only with the consent of local communities or landowners.
2. Legal Protection: Once notified, it receives protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
3. No Displacement: Residents are not relocated; they continue traditional livelihood activities compatible with conservation.
4. Flexible Management: Joint management between the community and government ensures adaptive conservation practices.
5. Buffer and Corridor Role: Acts as an ecological link between major protected areas, enhancing habitat connectivity.
6. Sustainable Livelihoods: Promotes eco-friendly practices like ecotourism, medicinal plant cultivation, and non-timber forest product (NTFP) collection.

Difference between Community and Conservation Reserves

Examples of Community Reserves in India

India has over 200 Community Reserves, covering diverse ecosystems ranging from coastal wetlands to Himalayan forests. Some notable examples include:

Northern and Northeastern India

1. Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary and Lengteng Community Reserve (Mizoram):
   • Managed by village councils; protects hill forests and endemic fauna.
2. Yokmusong and Sendenyu Community Reserves (Nagaland):
   • Examples of traditional Naga conservation ethics; protect hornbill habitats.
3. Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh):
   • Protects the habitat of the Bugun liocichla, a critically endangered bird species discovered recently.
   • Received the UNDP India Biodiversity Award (2018) for community-led conservation.
4. Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (Nagaland):
   • India’s first green village, where hunting was voluntarily banned by locals.

Southern India

1. Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve (Kerala):
   • India’s first coastal community reserve, protecting estuarine ecosystems and migratory birds.
2. Arittapatti Community Reserve (Tamil Nadu):
   • Protects rocky hill habitats, water bodies, and biodiversity in Madurai district.

Western and Northern India

1. Kibber Community Reserve (Himachal Pradesh):
   • One of the highest community reserves globally, located in Spiti Valley; conserves snow leopards and blue sheep.
2. Tale Valley Community Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh):
   • Protects pristine Eastern Himalayan forest ecosystems.

Significance of Community Reserves

1. Biodiversity Conservation: Protects critical habitats and species outside formal protected areas.
2. Empowerment of Local Communities: Strengthens the role of indigenous and rural populations in resource management.
3. Conflict Reduction: Balances conservation goals with livelihood needs, reducing human–wildlife conflict.
4. Ecological Connectivity: Acts as buffer zones or corridors linking national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
5. Cultural and Traditional Knowledge: Preserves indigenous practices of sustainable resource use.
6. Climate Change Mitigation: Supports carbon sequestration through forest and grassland conservation.

Challenges in Community Reserve Management

1. Limited Awareness: Many communities lack knowledge about legal provisions and ecological benefits.
2. Funding Constraints: Inadequate financial support for management, infrastructure, and monitoring.
3. Conflicts of Interest: Balancing livelihood needs with conservation priorities can cause disagreements.
4. Weak Institutional Capacity: Community committees often lack technical expertise and administrative support.
5. Encroachment and Exploitation: Illegal logging, poaching, and tourism pressure threaten biodiversity.
6. Poor Integration with Development Schemes: Limited coordination with rural development and eco-tourism initiatives.

Recent Developments and Policy Support

• The National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) and the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017–2031) emphasise the expansion of Community and Conservation Reserves.
• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) provides financial aid for community-led conservation.
• State Biodiversity Boards promote collaboration between Forest Departments and local governance bodies.
• Integration with Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) management has been encouraged to create landscape-level conservation strategies.