A New Model for Conservation: Community Engagement and Traditional Knowledge
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Conservation, Protected Areas - Kaziranga, Manas; International Bodies - International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)); Current events (Awards and Honours).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Biodiversity): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Biodiversity and its conservation. The model of conservation discussed here—integrating community participation and traditional knowledge—is a key theme in modern conservation discourse and very relevant for Mains answers.
Key Highlights from the News
Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park, received the Kenton R. Miller Award for sustainability and innovation in protected areas.
She is the first Indian woman to receive this award, presented by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). 🏆
Key Features of the Award-Winning Conservation Model:
Engaging local communities in conservation efforts (community engagement).
Increasing public awareness.
Integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific expertise.
This model has been successfully implemented in Manas and Kaziranga National Parks in Assam.
WCPA is a key technical commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international organization for nature conservation.
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