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DEFINITION:
• Which is, set aside for the conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the
improvement of the relationship between man and the environment?
• Which is, to serve as sites for long term scientific research as well as education all over
the world?
The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under the 'Man & Biosphere' (MAB)
programme by UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal
ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its
sustainable use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by National
Governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are
located. Biosphere Reserves serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing out and
demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity (CES., UNESCO,
2005., IUCN, 1979).
Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfill three basic functions, which are
complementary and mutually reinforcing:
Managed for minimum human interference, to serve as a baseline for the biological
region; research, educational and training activities are carefully controlled and must
have a non-manipulative effect in the zone.
Managed for research, education and training activities and manipulative methods and
techniques are permitted. Traditional activities including timber production, hunting,
fishing and grazing are permitted.
Reclamation or Restoration
Managed to study and reclaim lands and natural resources where heavy natural and
human caused alteration has passed ecological thresholds, where biological process have
been interrupted or where species have become locally extinct.
Cultural Zone
Managed to protect and study ongoing cultures and land use practices, which are in
harmony with the environment. Here, local residents and their activities are on the move,
but new technologies may be strictly controlled (IUCN, 1997).
Conservation Reserve
The State Government may, after having consultation with the local communities, declare
any area owned by Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and
Sanctuaries and those areas which link one protected area with another, as a Conservation
Reserve for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitats (Wildlife
Protection Society of India, 2003).
There are two Conservation Areas in India covering an area of 42.44 square km, which is
0.001% of the geographical area of the country. The State of Uttaranchal had established
these two Conservation Reserves in August 2005 (NIC, 2005).
Tiger Reserves
Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the
endangered species of tiger in the country. Beginning with nine reserves in 1973-74 the
number has grown up to twenty eight in 1999-2000. These project tiger areas cover a
total area of 35,747.08 sq km, which is 1.09% of the total geographical area in the
country (WII, 2005).
• Pobitora WS (Assam)
• Dibru Saikhowa WS (Assam)
• Shoolpaneshwar WS (Gujarat)
• Kalesar WS (Haryana)
• Eravikulam NP (Kerala)
• Chinnar WS (Kerala)
• Chendurang WS (Kerala)
• Radhanagari WS (Maharashtra)
• Bhitarkanika WS (Orissa)
• Sajjangarh WS (Rajasthan)
• Rajaji NP (Uttaranchal)
• Cobertt NP (Uttaranchal)
24 protected areas.
Books of Biosphere Reserves
• Wildlife Protection Society of India (2003). The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 .
Professional Book Publishers, New Delhi.
• P. Leelakrishnan (1999). Environmental law in India . Butterworths India, New
Delhi.
• CEERA Research Team (1998). Environmental Law (Documents) Vol. 1 Major
Environmental Laws in India. Centre for Environmental Education, Research and
Advocacy. National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
• Priya Ranjan Trivedi (1996). International Environmental Laws. APH Publishing
Corporation in association with the Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment,
New Delhi.
• Chetan Singh Mehta (1991). Environmental Protection and the Law . Ashish
Publishing House, New Delhi.