Q. Consider the following statements :

Once the Central Government notifies an area as a ‘Community Reserve’

  1. the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
  2. hunting is not allowed in such area
  3. people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
  4. people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices

How many of the above statements are correct?

  • Only one
  • Only two
  • Only three
  • All four

Answer: (b) Only two

Community Reserve
  • Any community or private land may be designated by the State Government as a Community Reserve provided the inhabitants of that community or the person concerned consent to provide such areas for the preservation of the local flora and fauna as well as their customs, cultures, and practises.
  • The State Government may designate the area as community land by notification if a community or a single person has offered to volunteer to conserve wildlife and its habitat.
    • The creation of such a place attempts to preserve biodiversity while simultaneously enhancing the socioeconomic circumstances of the local population.
  • Once forest land has been declared as a community reserve, it goes from being governed by local village councils to coming under the forest department.
  • “After a forest has been made into a community reserve, people cannot hunt there, nor can they use it for agricultural practices.
  • The Reserve is managed by a community reserve management committee.
  • Community reserves fall under protected areas, along with marine protected areas, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and conservation reserves, according to the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972.
  • The provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WLPA) apply to an area once it has been declared a community reserve.
    • Section 33 of the WLPA passes the authority of the sanctuary to the chief wildlife warden.
  • Within the Community Reserve, no changes to the way land are used are permitted unless they are authorised by a resolution that has been approved by both the State Government and the Management Committee.