15.3.2. Community Reserve

♤ The Amendment Act of 2003 provided for the creation of a new type of protected area called a Community Reserve.

♤ The State Government may notify any community land or private land as a Community Reserve, provided that the members of that community or individuals concerned are agreeable to offer such areas for protecting the fauna and flora, as well as their traditions, cultures and practices.

♤ The declaration of such an area is aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the people living in such areas as well as conserving wildlife. The Reserve is managed through a Community Reserve Management Committee

♤ The State Government may, where the community or an individual has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat, declare the area by notification as community reserve.

♤ No change in land use pattern shall be made within the Community Reserve, except in accordance with a resolution passed by the Management Committee and approval of the same by the State Government