Contents: Preface. How to use the guide. Executive summary. Background. Salient features of the guide and recommendations. The dynamics of change. The planning process. Management strategies. Research and experimentation. The management plan format and components. I. Component I. Conservation philosophy, field realities and the planning rationale: 1. The wildlife management plan. 2. The planning process. 3. The question of change. 4. Protected area status, boundaries and landscapes. 5. The strategies. 6. Addressing concerns for biodiversity in forest working plans. 7. Summary of facts on which proposals are based. 8. Results of previous management. 9. Prescribing management. II. Component 2 (Part-I): Description and evaluation: the protected area : existing situation: 1. Introduction to the area. 2. Background information and attributes. 3. History of management and present practices. 4. The protected area and the interface landuse situation. III. Component 2 (Part-II): The proposed management: 5. The vision, objectives, issues and problems. 6. The strategies. 7. Ecotourism, interpretation and conservation education. 8. Ecodevelopment. 9. Research, monitoring and training. 10. Organisation and administration. 11. The budget. 12. The schedule of operations and miscellaneous regulations. Annexures. Glossary. References. IV. Component 2 (Part-III): Appendices and maps. Literature referred. Glossary.
"Protected Areas represent glimpses of awe-inspiring creativity of evolutionary processes, albeit somewhat edited by the human footprint on wilderness. These sacred lands are the only ones capable of providing us a kinship with wondrous wild creatures and plants, our fellow travelers on this planet. We need to ensure their persistence for posterity.
Over the past three decades protected area management in India has come to be driven by scientific wildlife management plans. Slowly at first, later as a mandatory process. Such conservation efforts cannot be sustained without long-term vision, direction and quality. The guide answers the need by providing the essential planning framework, procedures and processes. It is based on integration of modern scientific precepts and practice with social, cultural, economic, and administrative realities. It is designed to address multiple spatial scales and links with plans for forest management and those for social and economic development on the surrounding managed landscapes. The guide is written for planners, wildlife managers, trainers, educationists and those who are simply interested in wildlife."
