Model Answer

“The conservation of species in India has increasingly shifted from a species-centric approach to a landscape and community-based model.” Examine.

India’s conservation strategy has evolved significantly from a narrow species-centric model, which focused on protecting individual endangered species within notified protected areas, to a broader landscape-level and community-integrated approach. This shift reflects ecological realities, climate change pressures, and socio-economic considerations.

In the early decades, conservation was largely species-driven. For instance, Project Tiger aimed at protecting the tiger through a core-buffer strategy within designated reserves. While this led to population recovery, it became clear that isolated protection could not address habitat fragmentation, corridor loss, and human-wildlife conflict.

The transition toward a landscape-based model is evident in initiatives such as Project Snow Leopard. The conservation of the Snow Leopard adopts a trans-Himalayan landscape approach involving local pastoral communities, livestock insurance schemes, and habitat-level planning across state boundaries. Similarly, the reintroduction of the Asiatic Cheetah under Project Cheetah focuses not merely on the animal but on restoring grassland ecosystems and prey base management.

Riverine conservation reflects the same evolution. The protection of the Gangetic River Dolphin under Project Dolphin emphasizes basin-wide river management, pollution control, and sustainable fisheries rather than species isolation.

This paradigm shift recognizes that species survival depends on ecosystem integrity, habitat connectivity, and community stewardship. However, challenges such as developmental pressures and climate vulnerability persist.

Going forward, integrating corridor conservation, participatory governance, and climate-resilient ecosystem planning will be essential to ensure sustainable biodiversity conservation in India.