Which of the following is/are true about ‘Reserved Forests’?
(A) They have full degree of protection.
(B) All activities are prohibited in that area unless permitted by the government.
(C) They are notified under Indian Forest Act only.

Correct option is D

Correct Answer: (A) and (B)
Explanation:
→ Statement (A): "They have full degree of protection." This is true. Reserved forests are given the highest degree of protection under the law. These forests are protected to preserve biodiversity and prevent deforestation.
→ Statement (B): "All activities are prohibited in that area unless permitted by the government." This is also true. In reserved forests, activities like grazing, hunting, and tree felling are generally prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the government or the forest department for specific purposes such as research or regulated forest management.
→ Statement (C): "They are notified under Indian Forest Act only." This is incorrect. While reserved forests are notified under the Indian Forest Act, they may also be notified under various other legal frameworks, such as the Forest Conservation Act and specific state laws related to forest protection.
Information Booster:
→ Reserved Forests are a category of forests in India that are given the highest level of protection. These forests are managed by the government and are protected under various national and state laws.
→ The primary goal of declaring an area as a Reserved Forest is to conserve biodiversity, maintain ecosystem services, and protect wildlife habitats.
→ Activities such as logging, hunting, and livestock grazing are strictly regulated or prohibited within these forests to prevent any ecological damage.
→ Reserved forests are also critical for the livelihood of many tribal and indigenous communities, as they provide access to forest products for sustainable use.
→ The management and conservation of Reserved Forests are essential for maintaining India's environmental balance, including controlling soil erosion, conserving water, and supporting wildlife.
→ There are other categories of forests in India as well, such as Protected Forests and Village Forests, which have different levels of legal protection compared to Reserved Forests.