Protected areas (PA) are clearly defined geographical spaces, recognized and managed through legal or other means to achieve long term conservation of nature along with associated ecological services and cultural values.
Management of Protected areas (PA):
- PAs are the centre piece of the government’s biodiversity conservation efforts.
- PAs comprise of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves.
- In line with Aichi target 11 strengthening of PAs have been undertaken
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) takes care of PAs notified as Tiger Reserves
- Priority is given to Conservation of threatened species and their habitats; control of poaching; research and ecological monitoring; and ensuring people’s participation in wildlife conservation
‘Management Effectiveness Evaluation’ (MEE) conducted by World wildlife institute says the management effectiveness of the Indian PAs comes to about 61% which is much higher as compared to the global average (56%). There has been increase in number of PAs by 25% since 2000
Lacuna in the management of Protected areas (PA):
- Boundary trenches: Hampering the movement of few species due to boundary trenches. Eg: Declining Indian Bustard in states of AP is due to trenches built around sanctuary to prevent the entry of cattle for grazing.
- Losing uniformity & integrity of habitat: Presence of agricultural lands, villages, towns, roads and a railway line, which are spread across the PAs are altering the natural habitat
- Fortress approach to conservation: Separates wildlife from animals. Seems to be outdated due to increasing human population
- Elitist tag: Where indigenous wildlife is not given required importance in conservation and special concern only to few species like Tigers, Elephants etc
- Low average size of PA: Affecting the carrying capacity of large populations of large mammals
- Concerns in capacity building: Lack of well trained and spirited wild life work force.
- PAs created on the basis of one or two large mammals or birds
- Lack of recognition of grasslands as PAs
The Way Forward:
- Periodic review of the existing PA network in the country.
- Implementation of the recommendations given in the Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) PA network report
- Completion of legal procedures for final notification of existing and new PAs
- Readjustments of boundaries of PAs, where required, in accordance with ecological and natural features
- Preparation of scientific and ecologically sound management plans for all PAs
- Expedite the process of settlement of rights in the existing or proposed PAs
- Involve local communities in protection and management of PAs
- Complete the process of rationalisation and demarcation of boundaries and zonation for effective management of PAs.
- Prepare Integrated and Adaptive Management Plans for all the PAs.
- Promote use of modern tools for monitoring and surveillance of highly sensitive PAs.
- Assess, monitor and manage the alien invasive species inside PAs and TRs
- Secure wildlife corridors and also draw appropriate plans for their management.
- Improve the capacity of frontline staff for better monitoring and management of PAs.
- Better financial allocations, sound intelligence network, good infrastructure including weapons and communication devices, skill development and overall capacity development
- State level coordination, as well as interstate coordination especially between line agencies.
The pressures of economic development on ecologically sensitive areas such as PAs are becoming even more evident than before. All the PAs in the country would need to follow multi-pronged approach for effective management which includes anti-poaching activities, habitat management, outreach programs, human resources development (HRD), research and monitoring, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict (HWC), eco- development programme (EDP) for ensuring local support for conservation and adequate financial support.
