Beyond protected areas: India's next conservation challenge
India's conservation strategy needs to evolve beyond isolated protected areas to a more connected and inclusive landscape approach. The article advocates for recognizing Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and establishing ecological corridors to sustain wildlife movement, genetic exchange, and resilient ecosystems. It emphasizes that conservation must integrate with infrastructure development, citing examples like the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor. The vision is to create a National Conservation Estate, a network of PAs, OECMs, and biodiversity-rich landscapes, requiring wider partnerships with communities and civil society to secure India's natural heritage.
Key Points
- India's conservation strategy must move beyond isolated protected areas to a connected landscape approach.
- Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) should be recognized and integrated into conservation efforts.
- Ecological corridors are crucial for sustaining wildlife movement, genetic exchange, and ecosystem resilience.
- Conservation planning must integrate with infrastructure development to ensure ecological connectivity.
- A 'National Conservation Estate' vision requires wider partnerships with communities and civil society.
Exam Facts
- Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are recognized under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- The Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor and Pench-Seoni landscape are examples of infrastructure projects with mitigation measures.
- India has built one of the developing world's most representative protected-area (PA) networks.
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