Landscape-Based Conservation Beyond Protected Areas In India

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation

Why in the News?

An article in Indian Express argues that India’s biodiversity conservation strategy should move beyond isolated Protected Areas (PAs) and adopt a landscape-based conservation approach through ecological connectivity, Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and community participation.

News in Brief

• India has developed a strong Protected Area (PA) network, but biodiversity conservation now requires protecting landscapes beyond these areas.
• Climate change, habitat fragmentation, and infrastructure expansion have increased the need for ecological corridors and connected habitats.
• The article advocates integrating Protected Areas, OECMs, community-managed landscapes, and ecological corridors into a unified conservation network.

India’s Protected Area (PA) Network

• Protected Areas represent legally designated zones managed for long-term biodiversity conservation under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Categories include
  • National Parks
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • Conservation Reserves
  • Community Reserves
  • Marine Protected Areas

Why Protected Areas alone are not enough

• Fragmented Migration– Infrastructure like roads, railways, and urbanisation cuts off historical animal corridors due to which wildlife moves across landscapes rather than administrative boundaries.
• Shifting Habitats- Climate change forces species to move outside the geographic borders of current parks.
• Shared Ecosystems- Essential biodiversity relies heavily on unmanaged rivers, wetlands, and agricultural zones.
• Therefore, formal PAs alone cannot sustain long-term genetic diversity or ecological processes.

About Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

• OECMs are geographically defined areas located outside formal PAs that successfully deliver long-term biodiversity conservation.
• Global Recognition- Formally acknowledged under the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• Diverse Landscapes- Includes community forests, sacred groves, village commons, and privately managed lands.
• Resource Efficient– Expands conservation networks seamlessly without the legal friction of creating new public parks.

National Conservation Estate – An Integrated Conservation Framework

• An integrated, highly resilient ecological network can be built by systematically combining five distinct components,
  • Protected Areas– Core zones providing the strict legal safety net.
  • OECMs- Regulated local spaces supporting surrounding buffer biodiversity.
  • Ecological Corridors– Vital structural pathways linking fragmented habitats together.
  • Community Landscapes- Locally managed village grounds and shared commons.
  • Rich Natural Sinks- Native unfragmented wetlands and deep primary forests.

Balancing Development and Conservation

• Wildlife Overpasses and Underpasses
  • Wildlife overpasses or green bridges and underpasses are specially designed structures that allow animals to safely cross highways, railways, and other infrastructure.
  • Maintains ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats.
  • Reduces wildlife mortality caused by vehicle collisions.
  • Facilitates seasonal migration and genetic exchange among wildlife populations.
  • Examples- Wildlife crossings on the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor and NH-44 through Pench Tiger Reserve.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • EIA is a statutory process that evaluates the likely environmental consequences of proposed development projects before approval.
    • Identifies potential impacts on forests, wildlife, water resources, and local communities.
  • Suggests mitigation measures to minimize ecological damage.
  • Governed under the EIA Notification, 2006 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Landscape-Level Planning
  • Landscape-level planning integrates conservation objectives across entire ecosystems rather than focusing only on isolated Protected Areas.
  • Considers forests, wetlands, rivers, agricultural lands, and human settlements as interconnected landscapes.
  • Protects ecological corridors that support wildlife movement.
  • Balances biodiversity conservation with developmental needs.
  • Enhances ecosystem resilience against climate change.
• Wildlife-Sensitive Infrastructure Design
  • Infrastructure is planned and constructed to minimize its impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
  • This design aligns roads and railways away from critical habitats wherever feasible.
  • It incorporates wildlife crossings, fencing, canopy bridges, and reduced speed zones.
  • Utilizes noise barriers and appropriate lighting to reduce disturbance.
  • This ensures infrastructure development does not sever ecological corridors.
• Ecological Restoration After Construction
  • Ecological restoration involves rehabilitating ecosystems disturbed during infrastructure or industrial projects.
  • Reforestation with native species and restoration of degraded habitats.
  • Stabilization of soil and restoration of natural drainage systems.
  • Removal of invasive species and improvement of habitat quality.
  • Monitoring biodiversity recovery to ensure long-term ecological health.

Conclusion

A shift from site-based conservation to landscape-based conservation will enable India to achieve its biodiversity goals, and fulfil its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

This will ensure long-term ecological security alongside economic growth.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

With reference to Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), consider the following statements:

1. OECMs are recognised under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
2. OECMs can include community-managed landscapes outside Protected Areas.
3. OECMs are legally classified as National Parks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Mains Practice Question

Q. “Protected Areas alone are insufficient for conserving India’s biodiversity in the era of climate change and rapid infrastructure development.” Discuss the significance of landscape-level conservation, ecological corridors, and OECMs in achieving sustainable biodiversity conservation. (250 words)

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