Community Reserves
Study notes
A community reserve is a protected area declared by the State Government under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, on private or community land where individuals or communities voluntarily agree to conserve wildlife and its habitat.
The community reserve framework was introduced through the 2002 amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Main features
Promotes community participation in biodiversity conservation.
Applies to private or community land where conservation is voluntarily undertaken.
Helps protect wildlife habitats, traditional conservation areas and ecological corridors.
A Community Reserve Management Committee is constituted to manage the reserve according to the Act.
It recognises the role of local communities and landowners in conserving biodiversity.
Conservation reserve versus community reserve
Feature | Conservation reserve | Community reserve |
|---|---|---|
Typical land ownership | Government-owned land | Private or community land |
Main role | Protect corridors and habitats, often near existing protected areas | Encourage voluntary community-led habitat conservation |
Declaring authority | State Government | State Government |
Legal framework | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 |
Key distinction | Government land | Private/community land |
Community reserves complement national parks and sanctuaries by extending conservation beyond areas that are entirely government-owned or already formally protected.
Key pointers
Community reserves were introduced by the 2002 amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
They involve voluntary conservation on private or community land.
A Community Reserve Management Committee supports management.
They encourage local participation and stewardship.
Do not confuse a community reserve with a biosphere reserve: the former is a statutory protected-area category under Indian wildlife law, while the latter is a broader conservation and sustainable-development framework.
MCQs
Q1. Community reserves were introduced into India's wildlife law through which amendment?
1986 amendment
1991 amendment
2002 amendment *
2010 amendment
Answer: 3) 2002 amendment
Explanation: The 2002 amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 introduced community reserves and conservation reserves.
Q2. Community reserves are primarily associated with which type of land?
Only central government land
Private or community land *
Only land within national parks
Only land owned by municipal corporations
Answer: 2) Private or community land
Explanation: Community reserves provide legal protection for private or community land where people voluntarily participate in wildlife and habitat conservation.
Q3. Who declares a community reserve under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?
UNESCO
State Government *
United Nations Environment Programme
Gram Sabha alone, without the statutory process
Answer: 2) State Government
Explanation: The State Government declares a community reserve following the procedure and consent requirements specified in the Act.
Q4. Which body is associated with managing a community reserve?
Community Reserve Management Committee *
National Tiger Conservation Authority alone
Central Pollution Control Board
Finance Commission
Answer: 1) Community Reserve Management Committee
Explanation: The Act provides for a management committee to support the management and conservation of the community reserve.