Landscape-Based Conservation Beyond Protected Areas In India
Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation
Overview
- India’s biodiversity conservation strategy is undergoing a shift from protecting isolated Protected Areas (PAs) to adopting a landscape-level conservation approach.
- While Protected Areas remain the cornerstone of conservation, increasing habitat fragmentation, climate change, and infrastructure development have highlighted the need to conserve biodiversity across interconnected landscapes.
- Integrating Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), ecological corridors, and community-managed areas can improve habitat connectivity, facilitate wildlife movement, and balance conservation with sustainable development.
- This approach supports India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and strengthens long-term ecological resilience.
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.
The Vital Role of Ecological Corridors
- Ecological corridors act as natural bridges connecting isolated pockets of wildlife.
- Genetic Health- Promotes inter-population breeding and halts genetic isolation.
- Conflict Reduction- Limits human-wildlife friction by keeping migrating animals on designated tracks.
- Examples
- Pench–Seoni corridor
- The Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor.
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.
- EIA is a statutory process that evaluates the likely environmental consequences of proposed development projects before approval.
- 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:
- OECMs are recognised under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- OECMs can include community-managed landscapes outside Protected Areas.
- 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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