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What Are Community Conserved Areas

Community conserved areas can be loosely described as
natural and modified ecosystems containing significant
biodiversity values, ecological services and cultural values.
These include ecosystems under minimum as well as
substantial human influence. They are voluntarily conserved
by concerned indigenous, mobile and local communities
through customary laws or other effective means. Typically,
these communities would have substantial dependence on
the natural resources contained in the ecosystems, for
survival, livelihoods and cultural sustenance. At the same
time, many CCAs include “no go” areas, ranging from very
small to large stretches of landscape and waterscape within
their areas of control.(6)
Conservation efforts by communities include continuation
of traditional conservation and sustainable-use practices,
revived and/or modified traditional practices, or completely
new initiatives taken up by the communities when faced
with external or internal threats to their resources or their
access to the resources. Such efforts can be initiated and/or
achieved with or without outside support but essential
features are that:

• the relevant indigenous peoples, mobile and local
communities are “concerned” about the ecosystems and
species, and relate to them culturally and/or because of
survival and livelihood dependence;
• the outcomes of local management decisions and efforts
include the conservation of habitats, species, ecological
services and associated cultural values, although the
objectives of management may be different (e.g.
livelihood, water security, safeguarding of cultural and
spiritual places);
• the indigenous, mobile and local communities are the
major players in decision-making and implementation,
and their institutions have the capacity to enforce
regulations – in many situations there may be other
stakeholders in collaboration or partnership, but primary
decision-making is with the community.
Community initiatives...