A Powerful Community-Managed Conservation Model for Manipur

Community Reserves: A Powerful Community-Managed Conservation Model for Manipur

By Indus IAS Academy

Manipur is one of the Indian states with the lowest protected area network, and this has long been a concern given the rapid decline of forests and associated biodiversity. To meet global and national conservation goals, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Manipur needs innovative, community-centered approaches to expand its protected areas without compromising the rights of local people.

This is where Community Reserves emerge as an effective, inclusive, and legally empowered solution

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Understanding Protected Areas in India

Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, there are four categories of Protected Areas:

1. National Parks

2. Wildlife Sanctuaries

3. Conservation Reserves

4. Community Reserves

The last two categories were introduced through the 2002 Amendment to promote community involvement in wildlife conservation. Unlike National Parks and Sanctuaries, Community Reserves do not restrict the rights of local people. Instead, they empower communities to manage and protect their own forests and biodiversity.

Why Community Reserves Matter for Manipur

Manipur and most Northeast Indian states have a unique landscape where large portions of forests are under community ownership and management. Local communities often fear that bringing their forests under a protected category may limit their traditional rights and activities.

However, Community Reserves are specifically designed to:

• Respect existing rights

• Encourage voluntary conservation

• Provide legal and financial support to local communities

• Strengthen scientific forest management

• Build a formal governance structure through community participation

This makes them the most suitable protected-area model for Manipur.

Policy Support for Community Reserves

Several national policy instruments encourage states to adopt Community and Conservation Reserves:

• National Environment Policy 2006 (Section 5.2.3)

• Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–12)

• National Biodiversity Action Plan (2008)

These policies emphasize expanding protected areas and ensuring scientific surveys, biodiversity inventories, and socio-economic analysis to inform conservation planning.

How Community Reserves Are Created

According to Section 36C(1) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act:

• A Community Reserve can be declared on any private or community land.

• It must be outside a National Park, Sanctuary, or Conservation Reserve.

• The declaration must come from a community or individual voluntarily willing to conserve wildlife and its habitat.

Community Reserves empower local communities to lead conservation through knowledge, ownership, and sustainable management—creating a future where forests thrive and people prosper.

Community Reserves protect:

• Local fauna & flora

• Traditional conservation practices

• Cultural and ecological values

The Community Reserve Management Committee

The Act provides a strong governance framework:

Composition (Section 36D(2))

• 5 representatives nominated by village governance bodies

• 1 forest/wildlife department representative

• The committee elects a Chairperson, who becomes the Honorary Wildlife Warden (36D(4))

Functions

The committee is responsible for:

• Preparing and implementing the management plan

• Conserving wildlife and protecting habitats

• Managing finances for conservation and livelihood activities

• Regulating its own procedures and quorum

Crucially, the committee enjoys financial control, meaning funds provided by the State or Central Government can be directly used for approved conservation activities.

Regulations Applicable in Community Reserves

Many of the rules applicable to Sanctuaries apply to Community Reserves as well, such as:

• Preventing offences related to wildlife

• Reporting wildlife deaths and protecting remains

• Controlling and preventing forest fires

• Assisting forest and police officials against wildlife offences

• Protecting boundary marks

• Preventing littering, teasing wildlife, and using harmful substances

• Regulating land-use changes only with committee resolution and State approval

Interestingly, most of these responsibilities are already followed informally in community-managed forests in Manipur—the Reserve only adds legal backing and financial support.

Building Ecological Corridors: The Next Big Step

Once multiple Community Reserves are established, the challenge is to create ecological corridors between them. Since wildlife does not recognize borders, corridors are essential for free movement of species.

This requires:

• Coordination between neighboring villages

• Bilateral and multilateral agreements among community reserves

• Strong ecological planning and monitoring

The Need for Ecotourism-Based Financial Sustainability

For long-term success, communities must be empowered to generate revenue independently, especially through:

• Ecotourism

• Nature-based livelihood opportunities

• Biodiversity awareness programs

This will reduce dependence on government funds and strengthen community ownership of conservation efforts.

Success Stories and the Road Ahead

Manipur has already taken a historic step with the creation of Pfunemai Community Reserve in Senapati District—the first of its kind in the state. Multiple proposals from various districts have already been approved by the State Government.

More villages need to follow this pathway.

If Manipur expands its network of community reserves, it can create a powerful, community-driven conservation model that safeguards forests, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of its people—while significantly contributing to national and global sustainable development goals.

Rajesh A. M., IFS, Indian Forest Service Officer, Manipur Cadre,

Joint Resident Commissioner, Government of ManipurManipur Liaison Office, Bengaluru | Manipur Guest Houses, Mumbai & Vellore

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