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 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four
Why the answer is (b)
• Community Reserves were created by the 2002 amendment to the Wild Life (Protection) Act (Section 36C) for private or community land where people voluntarily conserve wildlife; the State Government, not the Centre, notifies them.
• Statement 1 is wrong: a Community Reserve is governed by a Community Reserve Management Committee of village representatives and officials, not by the Chief Wildlife Warden.
• Statement 2 is correct: hunting of wild animals is prohibited, as in all protected areas.
• Statement 4 is correct: people continue their traditional agricultural practices, since no change in land use is allowed without the Committee's resolution; statement 3 is treated as wrong because removal of forest produce is regulated under the Act and not an unrestricted right.
• Hence two statements, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Only one
- Two statements (hunting ban and traditional agriculture) are correct, not one.
- (c) Only three
- Statement 1 is wrong: the Management Committee, not the Chief Wildlife Warden, governs.
- (d) All four
- Statements 1 and 3 are not correct.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.