Across India, humans and wildlife continue to coexist even amidst ecological degradation and rapid globalization. Known as Community Conserved Areas (CCAs), diverse ecosystems and species are conserved through traditional and modern systems, often contributing to local livelihoods. CCAs are defined as:
“Natural ecosystems (forest, marine, wetlands, grasslands, or others), including those with minimal to substantial human influence, containing significant wildlife and biodiversity value, conserved by communities for cultural, religious, livelihood, or political purposes, using customary laws or other effective means.”
Understanding CCAs is crucial, as they offer potential solutions to many conservation challenges in India. Yet,
CCAs often remain invisible, face multiple pressures, and receive little policy support. Since the late 1990s, Kalpavriksh has been actively engaged in strengthening this movement through research, documentation, advocacy, awareness-building, and dialogue facilitation. Over the past two decades, we have also worked directly with communities, providing need-based support to enhance the recognition and sustainability of CCAs across the country.
