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
Correct answer
C
Only three
D
All four
Explanation
Statement 1 is wrong: under Section 36D of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, a Community Reserve is run by a Community Reserve Management Committee drawn from the village panchayat or gram sabha, not by the Chief Wildlife Warden (and it is the State Government, not the Centre, that declares one). Statement 2 is correct: hunting is prohibited in a community reserve. Statement 3 is correct: local people may continue to collect non-timber forest produce. Statement 4 is wrong: the land cannot be used for agriculture, such as shifting cultivation, and land use cannot change without the committee's resolution. So two statements are correct.
Environmental Law & GovernanceCommunity Reserves (Wildlife Protection Act)Central GovernmentCommunity ReserveChief Wildlife Wardengoverning authorityhuntingnon-timber forest produce (NTFP)traditional agricultural practicesWildlife Protection Act