Conservation Reserves under Wildlife Law

A conservation reserve is a category of protected area created under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, primarily on government-owned land. It protects landscapes, seascapes, flora, fauna and their habitats, especially around existing protected areas or along ecological linkages.

Area eligible for declaration

Under Section 36A, the State Government may declare an area owned by the government as a conservation reserve after consultation with local communities.

• The Act particularly identifies areas adjacent to National Parks and sanctuaries, and areas linking one protected area with another.
• If the proposed reserve includes land owned by the Central Government, its prior concurrence is mandatory.
• The statutory requirement is consultation with local communities; the provision does not describe it as a requirement of consent.

Declaration and legal protection

After completing consultation and obtaining Central concurrence where necessary, the State Government formally declares the area under Section 36A. Selected provisions applicable to sanctuaries then apply to the reserve, as far as may be.

• These provisions regulate entry and prohibit acts involving fire, weapons and substances harmful to wildlife.
• They also enable habitat-management measures and immunisation of livestock around the protected area.

Management after declaration

Under Section 36B, the State Government must constitute a Conservation Reserve Management Committee. It advises the Chief Wildlife Warden on conserving, managing and maintaining the reserve.

• Its membership provides representation to the Forest or Wildlife Department, local village panchayats, wildlife conservation organisations, and the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments.
• This arrangement combines statutory wildlife administration with local participation.

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