India is one among the 17 mega-diverse countries of the world. With only 2.4% of the world’s geographical area, it supports 16.7% of world’s human population and about 8 % of the global biodiversity. India has a strong network of protected areas which supports the country’s rich flora and fauna. But what exactly are these protected areas? Protected areas are those in which the exploitation of the resources is limited and there is a limitation on biotic interference. There are several kinds of protected areas, each of which vary by the level of protection depending upon the enabling laws of the country or the laws governing by international organizations. In India, the Protected Area Network (PAN) comprises of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves. Together, it comprises 5.02 % of country’s geographical area.
1.
National
Parks
These are the areas of very high ecological
significance and are completely reserved for the conservation of wild animals. No
human activity in any form such as harvesting of timber, collection of minor
forest produce, encroachment/destruction of habitat, construction of tourist
lodges, livestock grazing and hunting of wild animals are banned in these
areas. Currently, there are 104 national parks in India covering an area of 40,501.13 km2, which is 1.23% of the geographical
area of the country (National Wildlife Database, May, 2019).
2.
Wildlife
Sanctuaries
A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area reserved
for both – conservation of animals and controlled human activities. The partial
biotic interference is allowed as long as it does not interferes with the
well-being of animals. The human activities such as harvesting of timber,
collection of minor forest products and private ownership rights are allowed.
Livestock grazing is also allowed in a regulated manner in sanctuaries. It may
be noted that a wildlife sanctuary can be upgraded to a national park, but a
national park cannot be downgraded to a wildlife sanctuary. It may also be
noted that the boundaries of sanctuaries are not well defined, however the
boundaries of national park are well defined. Currently, there are 551 existing
wildlife sanctuaries in India covering an area of 1,19775.80 km2, which
is 3.64 % of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database,
May, 2019).
3.
Tiger
Reserves
The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries which
encompasses a good tiger population have been nominated as tiger reserves and
such areas have a special status with highest level of protection. Currently,
there are 50 tiger reserves in India.
4.
Conservation
Reserves and Community Reserves
Both Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves
typically denote the areas which act as buffer zones or migration corridors
between established reserved and protected forests. These protected area categories were
introduced in 2002 after the amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
These categories were notified because of reduced protection in and around
existing or proposed protected areas due to private ownership of land, and
other land uses. Currently, there are 88 Conservation Reserves with an
area of 4356.49 Sqkm and 127 Community Reserves with an area of 525.22
Sqkm.
5.
Biosphere
Reserves
Biosphere
reserves were initiated under the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme in
1971. Biosphere reserves protect large areas of natural habitat along with the
human communities who inhibit these areas. There are 18 biosphere reserves in
India.
The term "protected area" also includes Marine Protected Areas, the boundaries of which will include some area of ocean conservation purposes.
6.
Marine
Protected Areas
A marine
protected area (MPA) is a designated area within the ocean where human
activities are strictly regulated. Such areas are given special protections for
natural or historic marine resources by local, state, territorial, native,
regional, or national authorities.
7.
Eco
Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
Eco-Sensitive
Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of
India around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The main
purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the
protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas
involving lesser protection.
8.
Coastal
Regulation Zone
As per the
notification issued in February 1991, under Environment Protection Act of 1986,
the coastal activities were regulated. Accordingly, the coastal land up to 500m
from the High Tide Line (HTL) and a stage of 100m along banks of creeks,
estuaries, backwater and rivers subject to tidal fluctuations, is called the
Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ). CRZ along the country has been placed in four categories.
The said notification imposed restriction on the setting up and expansion of
industries in the said CRZ.
Thus, the Protected Area Network (PAN) serves as the lifeline for the country's rich flora
and fauna, and plays a significant role in conserving India’s natural heritage.
References:
·
https://www.teriin.org/opinion/protected-area-network-india
·
http://cmscop13india.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=1087&lev=2&lid=79&langid=1
·
https://gradeup.co/protected-area-network-in-india-i
