Preamble to India's Conservation
India, a megadiverse nation, boasts staggering geographical and ecological diversity, harboring a significant portion of global biodiversity. The conservation of this natural heritage is primarily anchored in an in-situ strategy, manifested through an extensive network of Protected Areas (PAs). These legally designated terrestrial and marine areas are managed for the long-term conservation of nature, its ecosystem services, and cultural values. India's Protected Area Network (PAN) is envisioned as an interconnected system crucial for national conservation goals, encompassing National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves. This exploration delves into these categories, their legal underpinnings (primarily the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972), significance, challenges, and operational aspects, with a focus relevant to the UPSC Civil Services Examination.
Overview of India's PA Network
Historical Context & Traditional Practices
India's commitment to protecting wilderness is not recent. Traditional practices, embedded in cultural and religious ethos, historically protected sites like sacred groves (Devarakadus, Sarnas, Orans), water bodies, and certain species. During colonial rule and princely states, areas were often set aside as game reserves, inadvertently offering some protection.
Modern Framework: The WLPA, 1972
The modern, scientific approach gained momentum post-independence, culminating in the landmark Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). This Act provided a robust legal framework for National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The WLPA has been amended multiple times (1991, 2002, 2006, 2022) to address new challenges and incorporate paradigms like Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves.
Current Status & Coverage
As of recent data (verify with MoEFCC/WII/ENVIS), India's PA network includes over 100 National Parks, over 550 Wildlife Sanctuaries, and a growing number of Conservation and Community Reserves. Collectively, these cover about 5.2-5.3% of India's geographical area. While below Aichi Target 11 (17% terrestrial) and Kunming-Montreal Target 3 (30% by 2030), India's efforts are significant given its population density and land use demands.
PA Network Coverage (Illustrative)
Note: This is an illustrative chart. Actual figures vary and should be verified.
Strategic Direction: NWAP & ESZs
The National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP), currently in its third iteration (2017-2031), provides the strategic roadmap. It focuses on landscape-level conservation, ecological connectivity, effective management, community participation, and addressing human-wildlife conflict. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around PAs aim to buffer these critical areas from detrimental external influences.
12.1 National Parks (NPs)
Definition and Legal Basis
A National Park, under Section 2(21) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is an area declared by the State Government (via notification under Section 35) due to its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, or zoological importance, for protecting, propagating, or developing wildlife or its environment.
Process of Declaration
Key Steps in Declaring a National Park
Notification of Intent (Sec 35(1))
State Government issues a notification of its intention, specifying area limits.
Settlement of Rights (Sec 19-26, 35(3))
Collector conducts an inquiry to determine and settle/acquire existing rights (pasture, produce, water etc.). Continuance of rights is rare and restricted in NPs.
Final Notification (Sec 35(4))
After rights settlement, State Government issues final notification. Boundaries can only be altered by a State Legislature resolution, giving high legal permanence.
Historical Background and Timeline
Evolution of National Parks in India
Yellowstone National Park (USA) established, influencing global conservation.
Hailey National Park (now Jim Corbett NP, Uttarakhand) established – India's first National Park, primarily for tiger protection.
Some states enact own wildlife laws. Indian Board for Wild Life (IBWL) established (1952). Need for central legislation grew.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 enacted – a watershed moment providing a unified legal framework for NPs and WLS.
Project Tiger launched, leading to creation of Tiger Reserves, many including NPs as core areas.
Significant expansion of NPs. WLPA amendments (1991, 2002, etc.) strengthen NP provisions. Judicial activism (e.g., Godavarman case) plays a key role.
Level of Protection and Prohibited Activities
National Parks enjoy the highest level of legal protection under the WLPA, aiming for minimal human interference.
- Section 35(6) WLPA: Prohibits destruction, exploitation, or removal of any wildlife or habitat, except by permit from Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) if State Govt. deems it necessary for better wildlife management.
- Section 35(7) WLPA: No grazing of livestock permitted, except for authorized transport.
- Section 35(8) WLPA: Entry or residence only by permit.
Exceptions:
- Activities for wildlife improvement/management (authorized).
- Scientific research (with permission).
- Regulated tourism as per management plans.
- Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes certain rights of forest dwellers; interface with WLPA in NPs (esp. Critical Wildlife Habitats) is complex and needs careful balancing.
Objectives of National Parks
- Conservation of biodiversity at ecosystem level.
- Protection of viable populations of native species (flagship, keystone, threatened).
- Preservation of genetic diversity.
- Conservation of natural and geomorphological features.
- Opportunities for scientific research and monitoring.
- Promotion of environmental education and awareness.
- Facilitation of regulated, nature-based tourism.
- Serving as benchmarks for relatively undisturbed ecosystems.
Management of National Parks
Managed by State Forest Departments under the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW). Each park has a Director/Deputy Director.
Key Management Aspects:
- Management Plan: Scientific plan (5-10 years) outlining objectives, zonation, habitat/wildlife management, anti-poaching, tourism, research, community engagement, budget.
- Funding: State and Central Governments (e.g., Project Tiger, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats), tourism revenue.
- Staffing: Trained field staff, biologists, vets, managers. Capacity building is crucial.
Underfunding, staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure, human-wildlife conflict, surrounding area pressures, unregulated tourism impacts.
Exemplary National Parks in India
Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Significance: India's first NP. Pioneered Project Tiger.
Biodiversity: Sal forests, grasslands (chaurs), riverine habitats. Tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, gharials, rich avifauna.
Management Focus: Tiger conservation, habitat management, anti-poaching, regulated tourism, research.
Case Study Insight (Tourism Management):
Faces immense tourism pressure. Management balances tourism by regulating entry, vehicles, routes. Eco-development committees involve locals in benefit sharing. Challenges: equitable benefits, preventing negative impacts of tourism infrastructure.
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site. World's largest population of Indian One-horned Rhinoceros.
Biodiversity: Rhinos, tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer. Tall elephant grass, wetlands (beels), woodlands. Brahmaputra floodplain.
Management Focus: Rhino conservation (anti-poaching), habitat management (grassland burning), flood management, wetland conservation.
Case Study Insight (Anti-Poaching & HWC):
Intense poaching pressure for rhino horns. Strong protectionist approach (armed guards). Managing human-wildlife conflict (straying animals) and involving local communities are ongoing efforts. Annual floods are ecologically important but pose challenges.
Gir National Park, Gujarat
Significance: Last refuge of the Asiatic Lion.
Biodiversity: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands. Lions, leopards, sambar, chital, nilgai, chinkara, crocodiles.
Management Focus: Lion conservation (monitoring, health), habitat management, water availability, managing interaction with local Maldhari pastoral communities, regulated lion tourism.
Case Study Insight (Single Population & Coexistence):
Entire global wild population of Asiatic lions here, making them vulnerable. Lion translocation proposals (e.g., to Kuno NP) complex. Managing coexistence with Maldharis and their livestock is key.
Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur
Significance: World's only floating National Park (Loktak Lake).
Biodiversity: Unique floating biomass ("phumdis"). Critically endangered Sangai deer (Manipur Brow-antlered "dancing deer"), endemic to the park. Diverse avifauna.
Management Focus: Sangai deer and phumdi habitat conservation. Addressing threats like phumdi thinning, lake pollution, encroachment, poaching. Maintaining water levels.
Case Study Insight (Fragile Ecosystem Conservation):
Unique ecosystem dependent on Loktak Lake's hydrology. Ithai Barrage impacts phumdis. Conservation requires integrated lake basin management, pollution control, involving local fishing communities.
Significance of National Parks in India's Conservation
- Flagship Protection: Highest level of habitat/species protection, core conservation areas.
- Source Populations: Act as sources for wildlife dispersal.
- Ecological Benchmarks: Insights into natural processes in undisturbed conditions.
- Centres for Research & Education: Facilitate science and promote awareness.
- Economic Contributions: Through ecosystem services and well-managed ecotourism.
- National Pride & Heritage: Iconic landscapes, repositories of natural heritage.
Challenges Faced by National Parks
UPSC Relevance: National Parks
Prelims Focus
- Definition of NP under WLPA, declaration process.
- Level of protection vs. Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- Prohibited activities in NPs.
- Famous NPs: flagship species, key features, location (map-based).
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites (NPs).
- Recent NPs in news.
Mains Focus (GS Paper III - Environment)
- Role of NPs in biodiversity conservation.
- Major challenges in NP management.
- Case studies of NP successes/failures.
- Interface of NP management and community rights (Forest Rights Act).
- Strategies for improving Protected Area management.
Related Previous Year Questions (PYQs Focus)
"Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?" (UPSC Prelims 2015)
"Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?" (UPSC Prelims 2020)
"Consider the following pairs: National Park : River flowing through the Park
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?" (UPSC Prelims 2019)- Corbett: Ramganga
- Kaziranga: Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu
- Silent Valley: Kunthipuzha