Describe how communities have conserved and …

ndia has a multi-cultural and multi-religious society where protection of forests and wildlife is a part of their daily life. Contributions by these communities towards the protection of forests and wildlife can be explained as given below:

1. The inhabitants of five villages in Alwar district of Rajasthan have declared 1200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, declaring their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting, and are protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.

2. Some trees are considered sacred by different communities e.g. the Mundas and Santhals of Chotanagpur region worship Mahua and Kadamba trees, and the tribals of Orissa and Bihar worship the Tamarind and Mango trees during weddings.

3. In and around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, herds of blackbuck, nilgai and peacock can be seen as an integral part of the community and no one harms them.

4. The <i>Chipko Movement</i> in Uttaranchal has successfully resisted cutting of trees as forests are home to different communities and hilly people.