Q.What is a biosphere reserve? What are the different zones of a biosphere reserve?
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Biosphere reserves are large-scale, multi-functional protected areas designed to conserve biological diversity along with associated landscapes and traditional cultures, and are structurally organized into three zones of graded protection: core, buffer, and transition/manipulation.
What is a biosphere reserve?
A biosphere reserve is a large area of relatively undisturbed ecosystem, designated for the conservation of biological diversity as well as the associated landscape, traditional cultural values, and the way of life of indigenous/local communities living within or around it. Unlike a National Park (focused mainly on wildlife protection), a biosphere reserve takes a more holistic, multi-purpose approach that balances conservation with sustainable use and involvement of local people. India has designated multiple biosphere reserves — e.g., Nilgiri, Sunderban, Nanda Devi, Nokrek (in Meghalaya).
The three zones of a biosphere reserve
- Core zone (natural/undisturbed zone): The innermost zone, given the highest level of legal protection. Only non-destructive research and low-impact activities (like education) are permitted here; no human activity (settlement, grazing, resource extraction) is normally allowed, so that the natural ecosystem and its species remain completely undisturbed.
- Buffer zone: Surrounds the core zone. Some regulated, restricted human activities are permitted here — such as research, environmental education, recreation, and limited traditional/tourism activities — as long as they do not adversely affect the core zone's conservation goals. …
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