Community-based conservation for protection of avifauna diversity at Keshopur, Punjab, India's first community reserve
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People’s participation or community involvement in biodiversity conservation gained importance across the globe and since 1990’s in India. Wetlands ecosystem conservation is one initiative towards achieving sustainability. One such wetland namely Keshopur Miani, in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India remained unnoticed for long time despite its ecological fragility and importance. This wetland was unique as a landlocked fresh water ecosystem fed by undying Ravi river, interspersed with fertile agricultural lands and jointly owned by five villages as common property resource. Historically they were even duck shooting grounds during erstwhile British period but presently under fish farming and agriculture due to fragmentation of habitat. But these wetlands attract large number of migratory birds including Sarus and common cranes during winter migration. The area due to its ecological significance had been attempted to be protected under Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Traditional attempts of the department have not yielded any positive outcome as the land ownership remained as village common lands. However, with the advent in amendments in Indian Wildlife Protection Act, this area was attempted to be declared as unique community reserve under the provisions of amended act. In this category, both the objectives of not alienating the ownership and effective protection of avifauna was achieved by involving local villagers and their effective participation in managing the protected area. Thus Keshopur Miani Chhamb, India's First ever Community Reserve was declared in 2007 and now a Ramsar site. This paper discusses the
process of formation, management, strategies of stakeholder engagement, implementation and gainful employment in through people’s participation. Later Kathlour – Kushlian Wildlife sanctuary in Government protected forest and Ranjit Sagar Dam Conservation Reserve were declared adding more protection to the significant biodiversity of the district.
Keywords: People participation, Ecosystem, Conservation, Wetlands, Chhamb, Keshopur, CommunityReserve, India, Punjab, Habitat Conservation, Wildlife Protection
ID: 3488995