Community Conserved Areas in India and Beyond: Histories, Threats, Legal Recognition and Future Directions

Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) represent one of the oldest forms of ecosystem governance, particularly among Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). In India, CCAs are closely linked to the livelihoods, culture, and traditional practices of Scheduled Tribes (STs), yet remain underrecognized within formal conservation frameworks. This study examines the relationship between CCA extent and ecological, socio-economic, and governance outcomes using a mixed-methods approach that combines a literature review and district-level analysis from Nagaland and Maharashtra. The findings identify an “Efficiency Paradox”, where larger conservation areas do not necessarily translate into improved ecological or development outcomes. The study proposes policy directions, including hybrid governance models, strengthening of community rights under existing legal frameworks, and integration of livelihood-based conservation strategies. It argues that effective conservation in India must be community-driven, context-specific, and rooted in indigenous knowledge systems.