What is a Critical Wildlife Habitat (CWH)?
- - CWH provisions under India’s Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006 address conflicts between forest-dwelling communities’ rights and wildlife conservation in Protected Areas (PAs) such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
- - These provisions aim to protect species facing irreversible threats while ensuring a participatory, case-specific approach that centers forest-dwelling communities in decision-making.
What Does the Law Say About CWH?
- - CWH is defined as an area within a PA requiring "inviolate" status to prevent irreversible harm to species’ survival.
- - "Inviolate" does not mean excluding all human activity but focuses on avoiding irreversible damage.
- - CWH areas must be identified through consultations, scientific assessments, and informed consent from affected communities.
How Are CWH Areas Identified and Implemented?
- The process involves these steps:
Full Rights Recognition
– All community rights under the FRA must be recognized before initiating CWH identification.
– Gram Sabhas prepare Community Forest Resource (CFR) management plans aligned with conservation goals.
– Gram Sabhas prepare Community Forest Resource (CFR) management plans aligned with conservation goals.
Expert Committee Formation
– Committees, including experts from life and social sciences, assess CWH needs scientifically and objectively.
Consultative Process
– Communities are engaged to evaluate if forest rights pose a genuine threat to wildlife and discuss possible modifications.
Coexistence Exploration
– Options for coexistence are prioritized over resettlement, ensuring livelihoods remain secure through adjustments or compensations.
Resettlement Protocol
– If coexistence is not feasible, resettlement must have informed consent, full compensation, and comply with legal frameworks.
What Are the Challenges in Maharashtra’s CWH Process?
- - Forest rights recognition is incomplete in many PAs, leaving potential CFR claims unaddressed.
- - Expert Committees often lack legally required social science experts and adequate training.
- - Misinterpretation of “inviolate” as excluding all human activities undermines the law’s focus on preventing irreversible damage.
CWH provisions highlight the need for inclusive, community-centered conservation while addressing critical ecological concerns.
