Explain community-led conservation with simple examples

Community-led conservation involves local communities taking an active role in protecting and managing their natural environment. These efforts are often highly successful because they integrate traditional knowledge and give local people a direct stake in conservation.

• The Chipko Movement: This is a world-famous example from the 1970s in Uttarakhand. When commercial loggers came to cut down forests, local villagers, especially women, protested by hugging the trees to protect them. Their non-violent resistance successfully saved the forests and highlighted the importance of community involvement.
• The Bishnoi Community of Rajasthan: The Bishnoi community has a religious philosophy that has protected nature for over 500 years.They consider the Khejri tree sacred and are fierce protectors of wildlife, especially the Blackbuck.In 1730, Amrita Devi Bishnoi and hundreds of other villagers sacrificed their lives to protect the Khejri trees, a legacy that continues today.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM): This is a formal partnership model where the government's Forest Department and local communities work together. The communities help protect and manage degraded forests. In return, they get a share of the benefits, such as non-timber forest products (like fruits, gum, and medicinal plants) and a portion of the timber revenue, ensuring the sustainable use of the forest.