UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 33
Consider the following statements :
- Once the Central Government notifies an area as a 'Community Reserve', the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State becomes the governing authority of such forest
- hunting is not allowed in such area
- people of such area are allowed to collect non-timber forest produce
- people of such area are allowed traditional agricultural practices
How many of the above statements are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B (Only two)
Explanation: Community Reserves are locally governed protected areas: hunting is prohibited and regulated community collection of non-timber forest products can continue.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Incorrect/False - A Community Reserve Management Committee, not the Chief Wildlife Warden alone, manages the reserve.
2. Correct/True - Hunting of protected wildlife is prohibited except narrowly regulated legal exceptions.
3. Correct/True - Collection of non-timber forest produce may continue subject to agreed conservation rules.
4. Incorrect/False - Traditional agriculture is not an automatic or unconditional permission within a notified Community Reserve.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-it counts 1, but items 2, 3 qualify, giving 2.
B. Correct-exactly 2 of the 4 listed items satisfy the condition.
C. Incorrect-it counts 3, but only 2 qualify; item(s) 1, 4 do not.
D. Incorrect-it counts 4, but only 2 qualify; item(s) 1, 4 do not.
Review note: Statement 4 depends on local rights/management plans; the key treats unconditional agricultural permission as false. See the 1972 Act and reserve notifications.