India’s Ecological Wealth: The Protected Area Network (PAN) of India

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.

 The conservation reserve is owned by the state government and it can be declared as the conservation reserve by the state government after consulting the local communities. It is meant for the conservation of the flora and the fauna along with its cultural values and traditional practices. The rights of the people living inside the conservation reserve are not affected.

 The community reserve includes any private or community land which is converted into community reserve by the state government. It is basically an area where an individual or a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat. The rights of the people are not affected by the community reserve.

 

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