UPSC Prelims 2023 Q38: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife

UPSC Prelims 2023, General Studies Paper I · Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements : Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve' 1. the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest 2. hunting is not allowed in such area 3. people of such area are allowed to collect non - timber forest produce 4. people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (b) Only two

Explanation

Community Reserve — Rules and Governance

Once Central Government notifies a Community Reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act, 2002:

Statement	Claim	Verdict	Correct Position
1	Chief Wildlife Warden becomes governing authority	FALSE	Community Reserves are managed by a Community Reserve Management Committee composed of local community members — NOT the Chief Wildlife Warden. This is the key democratic feature of community reserves.
2	Hunting is not allowed	TRUE	Hunting is prohibited in Community Reserves just as in other protected areas.
3	People can collect non-timber forest produce (NTFP)	TRUE	Community members are allowed to continue traditional uses including NTFP collection — this is a defining feature that distinguishes Community Reserves from more restrictive National Parks.
4	People can continue traditional agricultural practices	FALSE	Agricultural practices are NOT permitted within Community Reserve notified areas — traditional uses are limited to NTFP, fishing, and similar non-extractive/low-impact uses.

Statements 2 and 3 correct → Only two.

Answer: (b) Only two.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Incorrect. 'Only one' — both hunting prohibition and NTFP collection are correct.
(b) CORRECT. Hunting is prohibited (2) and NTFP collection is allowed (3). Chief Wildlife Warden is NOT the governing authority (1 wrong), and agricultural practices are not permitted (4 wrong).
(c) Incorrect. 'Only three' — traditional agricultural practices are NOT permitted in Community Reserves.
(d) Incorrect. 'All four' — the Chief Wildlife Warden governance claim and agricultural practices claim are both wrong.

Key point

Community Reserve: Managed by Community Reserve Management Committee (NOT CWW). Hunting BANNED. NTFP collection ALLOWED. Agriculture NOT permitted. Democratic management + traditional rights + hunting ban = the model.

Remember

In a Community Reserve, hunting is prohibited and NTFP collection is allowed, but the governing authority is a Community Reserve Management Committee (not the Chief Wildlife Warden) and traditional agricultural practices are not permitted.

Common mistakes

Thinking Chief Wildlife Warden manages Community Reserves — this is the most important distinction; Community Reserves are governed BY the community, not forest department officials.
Assuming agricultural practices are allowed — traditional agricultural activities inside the notified area are not permitted; only NTFP and limited traditional uses continue.
Confusing Community Reserve with Biosphere Reserve or Conservation Reserve — each has different governance and use rules.

Exam tip

Community Reserve = community management committee (unique). Hunting = banned (like all PAs). NTFP = allowed (unlike NPs). Agriculture = NOT allowed. The word 'community' in the name signals democratic local governance, not forest department control.

Sources

Wildlife Protection Act, 2002 — Chapter IVB: Community Reserves
Ministry of Environment — Protected Area Network in India

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