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India's Protected Areas Shrinking Amid Development Pressures
5 Oct
Summary
- Protected areas are shrinking due to development and mining.
- Conservation must include habitats, not just iconic animals.
- Forests are crucial for ecological and economic security.
Prominent conservationist M.K. Ranjitsinh Jhala has raised concerns regarding the shrinking of India's protected areas, attributing this trend to increasing pressures from development, mining, and tourism.
Dr. Jhala emphasized that true conservation involves preserving wildlife habitats and the ecological systems that sustain people, not solely focusing on charismatic species. He cited the example of Palamau Tiger Reserve where protection from threats led to improved water flow in streams.
He further questioned the reduction of protected areas for mining and construction, drawing parallels to the inviolability of national heritage sites like the Taj Mahal. Dr. Jhala cautioned that unchecked tourism could exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts.
The Coexistence Collective organized the event in Thiruvananthapuram, where officials underscored the inseparable link between human survival and coexistence with nature, highlighting challenges like erratic weather and pollution due to anthropogenic activities.
Speakers also advocated for a people-centered approach to conservation, integrating livelihood concerns with ecological protection and fostering constructive dialogue with local communities to achieve sustainable development.
