ABSTRACT
Being a megadiverse country that is also home to the world's largest population of the poor, the synergies and trade-offs between conservation and development are a major issue of debate in India. This chapter presents the experience with various lesser known categories of protected areas (PAs), and analyses their conservation and development outcomes. It explores the conservation and development outcomes of various categories of PAs other than National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which have been notified in accordance with national laws and regulations. These include BHSs, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves, Eco-sensitive Zones, Coastal Regulation Zones, and Critical Wildlife Habitats. The chapter also explores the PA designations notified as a result of international initiatives and presents the PA designations notified as a result of national laws. It presents the case study of Okhla Bird Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zones and the key lessons that have emerged from the experience of lesser known PAs.
