Protected Area Management Rules, 2017.

These Rules are framed by virtue of section 52 of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. The provisions of these rules are not applicable in some cases such as parks, zoos, private parks etc. The Rules require co-management committee to be formed for purpose of conducting activities for the management of protected area. They provide for the constitution and procedure for general committee and executive committee to be formed under the co-management committee. They provide for election of president and other administrative provisions in respect of the various committees. Duties and functions of co-management committee include formulation of action plan, management of biodiversity and natural resources, encouraging participation of local stakeholders, patrolling with the help of the community, supervision of afforestation and other such functions as mentioned therein.
The Rules provide for the formation of village conservation forum to create awareness, encourage compliance, provide assistance to the committees and social forestry programmes. Formation of community patrol teams is also included in the rules. The Forest Department is required to define core zones, buffer areas, landscape and corridors in protected area and the adjoining area to facilitate forest management, mapping, survey and preparing maps. Sources of income in protected areas include nature tourism services, non-timber forest products including fisheries. The Rules also contains provisions relating to fund, its management and use.