Download PROTECTED AREAS OF INDIA VIS A VIS THE SIX

PROTECTED AREAS OF INDIA VIS A VIS THE SIX IUCN CATEGORIES
(K.C.A. Arun Prasad)
Introduction:
Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources including,
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part,
this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Convention on Biological
Diversity, 1992). India ranks sixth among the 12 mega biodiversity countries of the world. India with
2.4 per cent of the land area of the world accounts for 7-8 per cent of the total recorded species i.e.
around 45,500 species of plants and 91,200 species of animals (MoEF 2009). Number of species
documented in India as against the overall World figure is given in the table below:
Number of Documented Species in World and India
(Source: Animal Discovery 2010; Zoological Survey of India)
Taxonomic Group
Number of Species Number of Species % in India
in the World
in India
Mammalia
4,629
397
8.58
Aves
9,026
1,232
13.66
Reptilia
5,817
460
7.91
Amphibia
5,162
289
5.60
Pisces
21,727
2,634
12.12
Prochordata
2,106
119
5.65
Animalia
11,95,567
89,220
7.46
Animalia + Protista
12,26,817
91,797
7.48
A brief look at the table demonstrates the biodiversity wealth of our country. The influences of three
bio-geographic realms namely Ethiopean, Palearctic and the Oriental realms combined with a
diversity of ecosystem have resulted in the richness of biodiversity in our country. Around 45 species
of mammals, 50 species of birds, 197 species of reptiles, 135 species of amphibians and 341 species
of fishes are endemic to our country. Of the charismatic species, half the population of the wild Asian
Tiger and wild Asiatic Elephant is found in India. Around 80 per cent of the Great Indian Rhino is
found in India. Such an important wealth needs protection for posterity.
History of Wildlife Conservation in India:
Wildlife conservation is very much part of the Indian society. As early as the 3 rd century, King Asoka
brought in laws prohibiting killing of animals and also created facilities like water holes and hospital
for the animals. The ancient rulers, throughout the country in general, were always sympathetic over
wildlife and had some kind of regulations. The Mughal period saw extensive hunting in their territory
especially hunting tigers was very common. Cheetahs were kept under captivity for the use of them in
their hunting expeditions. This in way combined with other reasons paved the way for the extinction
of the Asiatic Cheetah.
Arrival of Britishers in the country saw establishment of forest department and scientific management
of forest for the timber production. Exclusive acts like the Elephant Preservation Act (1873), World
Birds Protection Act (1887), etc., also came into force. Also the first national park of the country
Hailey National Park (present day Corbett National Park) was created in 1936. However, during the
British rule large areas of forests were cleared and brought under agriculture. Both the herbivores and
carnivores were allowed to be hunted for the protection of the human life and property. After the
country became independent, the first major step towards wildlife conservation was the creation of
Indian Board for Wildlife (IBWL) in 1950. The real contribution to the field of wildlife conservation
in our country came in the shape of Wildlife Protection Act (1972). Under the Wildlife Protection Act
(1972), a network of protected areas like national parks, sanctuaries, conservation reserves and
community reserves are created for the purpose of in situ conservation.
History of Global Wildlife Conservation:
Yosemite Park created in 1864, for “public use, resort and recreation” can be considered as the
beginning point for modern day protected areas. However, the first national park in its true sense is
the Yellowstone National Park created in 1872. Reserving areas for wildlife and for pleasure, similar
to that of in US happened across many countries in the late 1800s’. This trend picked up its pace and
the twentieth century witnessed creation of large number of protected areas across the globe. Every
country developed their legislation and the system of protected area network. There was not any
uniform system which lead to difficulty in sharing the lessons learnt. After the Second World War,
under the guidance of IUCN, an International Commission on National Park was established in 1960
under the leadership of Hal Coolidge, which later on became Commission on National Parks and
Protected Areas of IUCN (CNPPA). Since 1996 it has been the World Commission on Protected
Areas (WCPA). The preliminary system developed by the IUCN underwent many modifications and
the present categories of protected areas were approved by the IUCN general assembly in 1994.
Under the present system there are six categories of protected areas as given below:
I Strict protection
Ia Strict nature reserve
Ib Wilderness area
II Ecosystem conservation and protection (i.e., National park)
III Conservation of natural features (i.e., Natural monument)
IV Conservation through active management (i.e., Habitat/species management area)
V Landscape/seascape conservation and recreation (i.e., Protected landscape/seascape)
VI Sustainable use of natural resources (i.e., Managed resource protected area)
Protected Area:
Protected areas are one of the important tools used across the globe for in situ conservation. They also
demonstrate the commitment of the present generation to the future generation. Presently, about one
tenth of the world’s land surface is under some form of protected area network. This paper attempts to
compare the status of the protected area categories of India vis a vis the IUCN categories. Before a
comparison is made between the categories, it would be worthwhile to look at how the term protected
area is defined by IUCN and Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
IUCN
A
protected
area
is:
“A
Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
clearly defined "protected area means a National Park, a
geographical space, recognised, dedicated and sanctuary, a conservation reserve or a community
managed, through legal or other effective means, reserve notified under sections 18, 35, 36A and
to achieve the long-term conservation of nature 36C of the Act”
with associated ecosystem services and cultural
values”
In the IUCN’s definition the term “clearly defined geographical space” clearly covers land, water or
a combination of both. “Space” covers all the dimensions i.e.. land surface, sub-surface, air surface,
water bodies, water beds, sub surface, etc., The definition also covers the important aspect of
recognition, dedication and management either through a legal means or otherwise. Further, the
phrase “to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and
cultural values” sets out the importance of long term conservation strategy of nature with associated
ecosystems and cultural values as against the short term management strategies. By an amendment to
Wildlife Protection Act (1972), the term “Protected Area” was included and defined in the Act. In
contrast to the IUCN’s definition, the definition given in the WPA (1972) fails to convey any meaning
by itself and it just mentions the types of protected area. There really is an urgent need to seriously
look at this and come out with a clear and a complete definition.
Protected Area Categories:
The protected area management categories serve as an important global standard for the planning,
establishment and management of protected areas. The following are the main purposes of this
category system:
 To facilitate planning of protected areas and protected area systems
 To improve information management about protected areas
 To help to regulate activities in protected areas
Apart from the above main purposes, the category system may also be used
 To provide basis for legislation
 To set budgets
 To use the categories as a tool for advocacy
 To interpret or clarify issues related to land tenure and governance
 To plan a PA network with a range of management objectives and governance types
However, the IUCN opposes the use of the category system
 As an excuse for expelling people from their traditional lands
 To downgrade the protection given to the environment by changing the categories
 To argue for any environmentally insensitive developments in protected areas
With this backdrop, let us see the definition of the IUCN’s six categories of PA and the four
categories of PA as given in Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Category Ia: Strict nature reserve
Category Ia are strictly protected areas set aside to protect biodiversity and also possibly geological /
geomorphological features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and
limited to ensure protection of the conservation values. Such protected areas can serve as
indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring
Category Ib: Wilderness area
Category Ib protected areas are usually large unmodified or slightly modified areas, retaining their
natural character and influence, without permanent or significant human habitation, which are
protected and managed so as to preserve their natural condition.
Category II: National park
Category II protected areas are large natural or near natural areas set aside to protect large-scale
ecological processes, along with the complement of species and ecosystems characteristic of the area,
which also provide a foundation for environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific,
educational, recreational and visitor opportunities.
Category III: Natural monument or feature
Category III protected areas are set aside to protect a specific natural monument, which can be a
landform, sea mount, submarine cavern, geological feature such as a cave or even a living feature
such as an ancient grove. They are generally quite small protected areas and often have high visitor
value.
Category IV: Habitat/species management area
Category IV protected areas aim to protect particular species or habitats and management reflects this
priority. Many category IV protected areas will need regular, active interventions to address the
requirements of particular species or to maintain habitats, but this is not a requirement of the category.
Category V: Protected landscape / seascape
A protected area where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct
character with significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value: and where safeguarding the
integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting and sustaining the area and its associated nature
conservation and other values.
Category VI: Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources
Category VI protected areas conserve ecosystems and habitats, together with associated cultural
values and traditional natural resource management systems. They are generally large, with most of
the area in a natural condition, where a proportion is under sustainable natural resource management
and where low-level non-industrial use of natural resources compatible with nature conservation
is seen as one of the main aims of the area.
National Park
National Park means an area declared, whether under section 35 or section 38, or deemed under sub
section (3) of section 66 to be declared, as a National Park.
Whenever it appears to the State Government that an area, whether within a sanctuary or not is, by
reason of its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological or zoological association or importance,
needed to be constituted as a National Park for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing
wildlife therein or its environment, it may, by notification, declare its intention to constitute such area
as a National Park.
Sanctuary
Sanctuary means an area declared as a sanctuary by notification under the provisions of Chater IV of
this Act and also shall include a deemed sanctuary under sub-section (4 of section 66.
The State Government may, by notification, declare its intention to constitute any area other than an
area comprised within any reserve forest or the territorial waters as a sanctuary if it considers that
such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological , natural or zoological
significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment.
Conservation Reserve
The State Government may, after having consultations with the local communities, declare any area
owned by the Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and Sanctuaries and those
areas which link one protected area with another, as a conservation reserve for protecting landscapes,
seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat.
Community Reserve
The State Government may, where the community or an individual has volunteered to conserve
wildlife and its habitat, declare any private or community land not comprised within a National Park,
sanctuary or a conservation reserve, as a community reserve, for protecting fauna, flora and traditional
or cultural conservation values and practices.
National Park Vs IUCN Categories
Out of the IUCN’s six categories, the management objectives Category III: Natural monument or
feature and Category VI: Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources is completely
different from that of the National Park. Hence, comparison is being made only with other four
categories.
IUCN Category
Category Ia Strict Nature Reserve areas should be free from significant direct
intervention by modern humans. This area limits access to the people and excludes all
kind of settlement.
Category Ib Wilderness area should be free inappropriate or excessive human use or
presence and also should not have any permanent infrastructure, extractive industries,
agriculture, etc.,
Category IV Habitat / Species management area are protected areas created to protect,
or restore flora, fauna and / or habitats. Such areas are put under regular and active
management interventions to ensure the survival of the specific habitats and the
species concerned.
Category V Protected Landscape / seascape are generally not wilderness area. It aims
at protection of overall landscape / seascape and the biodiversity associated with it.
This is a flexible model which can be adopted when creation of more strict protected
areas is not feasible.
In our country, most of the National Parks are managed by regular intervention to ensure the survival
of the species and / or habitat. Also activities related tourism is allowed in the National Park. One
important feature about national park is that use of resources form the area is strictly prohibited. We
may place our National Parks in the Category IV Habitat / Species Management Area of the IUCN
category.
Sanctuaries Vs IUCN Categories
The management objectives of Category III: Natural monument or feature and Category VI: Protected
area with sustainable use of natural resources is completely different from that of the Sanctuary.
Hence, comparison is being made only with other four categories. Like the national parks, sanctuaries
in our country are also managed by active intervention. To some extent presence of human settlement
is allowed in this category. Based on this, it appears that our sanctuaries are closer to Category IV
Habitat / Species Management Area of the IUCN category.
Conservation Reserve Vs IUCN Categories
Category V Protected Landscape / seascape are generally not wilderness area. It aims at protection of
overall landscape / seascape and the biodiversity associated with it. This category acts as a buffer zone
and also acts as linking habitat between several other protected areas. A closer look at the definition
of conservation reserve and the objective gives a clear picture about the similarity between these two
categories (i.e., Category V Protected Landscape / seascape and Conservation Reserve).
Community Reserve Vs IUCN Categories
Of all the IUCN categories, Category VI is unique in the sense that it talks about the sustainable use
of resources as a means to achieve nature conservation, together and in synergy with other actions
more common to other categories, such as protection. Also, this category aims at conservation along
with the associated cultural values. In light of the above, we may conclude that the community
reserves and the Category VI Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources are closer.
Conclusion
Twelve per cent of the globe is currently under protected area network. The legal frame work
which governs them varies widely. However, the objectives of setting up such areas by different
countries have a common thread connecting them. The IUCN protected area management categories
serves as a global framework for categorizing the protected area worldwide. The four different
categories of protected area given under the Wildlife Protection Act closely relate to three categories
recognized by the IUCN namely Category IV Habitat / Species Management Area, Category V
Protected Landscape / seascape and Category VI Protected area with sustainable use of natural
resources. Categories like I Strict protection (Ia Strict nature reserve and Ib Wilderness area) II
Ecosystem conservation and protection (i.e., National park) and III Conservation of natural features
(i.e., Natural monument) are missing. There are few national parks and tiger reserves in the country
which by some subtle changes can be taken closer to Category Ia Strict nature reserve or Category Ib
Wilderness area or Category II Ecosystem conservation and protection. Demand for the ever
increasing population and aspirations for development would not allow us to create protected areas
similar to that of category I and II. But the introduction of two new categories in the Wildlife
Protection Act (1972) viz., Conservation Reserve and Community Reserve which are closer to the
category V and VI would help the planners to bring more area under the protected network of the
country.
REFERENCES
1. Animal Discovery 2010; Zoological Survey of India.
2. Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992. http://www.cbd.int/convention/text/
3. Dudley, N. (Editor) (2008). Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management Categories.
Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. x + 86pp.
4. MOEF 2009 India’s Fourth Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, New Delhi:
Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI.
5. Protected Areas Programme, Vol 14 No 3, Protected Areas Categories 2004.