Protected Areas in Gujarat : Prospects and Perspectives

Most of the Protected Areas (PAs) in Gujarat are islands of natural biodiversity amidst agriculture lands and human dwellings. Several issues, like boundary settlements, cattle grazing, human-wildlife conflicts, illicit cutting of trees and illegal Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) collection, inadequate research create hurdles for proper management of PAs. Major reason for these problems is that the social aspects are not adequately considered while declaring and managing the PAs. The absence of public support in the management strategy has created conflicting situations time and again. Almost all the PAs in Gujarat have a vast scope of improving the conservation status. A new model of wildlife conservation is needed in which traditional resource rights and role of local communities and importance of research and monitoring are recognised adequately.