Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves

Protected areas acting as buffer zones or migration corridors between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserved/protected forests.

Designation of Conservation Reserves

Uninhabited and fully government-owned lands used for subsistence by communities.

Designation of Community Reserves

Partially privately owned lands used by communities for subsistence.

Introduction

First introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, amending the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Community Reserves in India

220 existing community reserves covering 1455.16 sq. km.

Community Reserves in Northeast India

108 of the 220 community reserves are in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.

Highest Number of Community Reserves

Nagaland has the maximum number (114) of community reserves.

Wildlife Protection Act of 1972

Enacted to protect wildlife, control poaching, smuggling, and illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives.

Amendment to the Act (2003)

The Act was amended in January 2003, making penalties and punishments for offences more stringent.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The term ‘Raorchestes asakgrensis’ was recently in the news, it is related to which among the following?

(a) Flower

(b) Fungus

(c) Insect

(d) Frog

Answer: d

Explanation:

A new species of frog was discovered in the Eman Asakgre Community Reserve, Garo Hills, Meghalaya, named to honor local conservation efforts. It is a small arboreal frog with a pointed snout and visible tympanum, found at 174 meters elevation. Males measure 20.49 mm and females 22.8 mm in snout-vent length. Males call from shrubs at dusk, with peak activity after the first monsoon rains.