Biosphere reserves in India

What is Biosphere reserve ?

A larger protected area meant for conservation of biodiversity and culture of that area is called Biosphere Reserve. A biosphere may consists of other protected areas such as National Parks and Sanctuaries.  For example, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of one National Park i.e Satpura national park and two Wildlife Sanctuaries known as Bori and Ault marhi. We have 18 Biosphere reserves in India.

It is an area for the conservation of wildlife, biodiversity, and the tribes inhabiting the area. 

Biosphere Reserves are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each others’ needs..

Here, exploitation of natural resources for commercial purposes is not allowed. Biosphere reserves provides opportunity for scientific research, tourism, and environmental education.

Biosphere reserve has 3 zones :

• Core zone :-  Out of the three zones, it is the innermost zone and the most protected area in a biosphere reserve. This area is protected by legal laws and in it human activities are strictly not allowed. This area may have endemic animals as well as plants. Monitoring is allowed in this area.
• Buffer zone :- The area next to the core zone is called as buffer zone. Activities in this zone are managed in such a way that it helps in the protection of core zone. In this zone, limited tourism, fishing and grazing is allowed, educational and training activities are also allowed. In comparison to transition zone, human activities are less in the buffer zone.
• Transition zone :- This is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve, this is the zone where local people/community plays an important role to conserve the biodiversity of a particular region. Here, human settlements and conservation of plants/animals go hand in hand. Here, research, tourism, recreational activities, cropping, forestry and human settlements are allowed.