Global initiative: PROTECTED AREA NETWORK

Criteria for selection of BRs

Primary criteria

• A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed core area.
• It should include –

• o Additional land and water suitable for research.
  o Demonstration of sustainable methods of research and management.
  

• Core area should be typical of a biogeographical unit and large enough to sustain viable
populations representing all tropic levels in the ecosystem.

Secondary criteria

• Areas having rare and endangered species.
• Areas having diversity of soil and micro-climatic conditions and indigenous varieties of
biota.
• Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for
harmonious use of environment.

Structure and Design of Biosphere Reserves

In order to undertake complementary activities of biodiversity conservations and development
of sustainable management aspects, Biosphere Reserves are demarcated into three interrelated zones.

The Core Zone

• It should be kept absolutely undisturbed.
• It must contain suitable habitat for plant and animal species
• It conserves the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic
reservoirs.
• It also contains places of exceptional scientific interest.
• It secures legal protection and management and research activities that do not affect
natural processes and wildlife are allowed.
• Strict nature reserves and wilderness portions of the area are designated as core areas
of BR.
• It is to be kept-free from all human pressures external to the system.

The Buffer zone

• Surrounds the core zone.
• Its uses and activities (restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition for
the resources, limited recreation, tourism, fishing and grazing) are managed in ways that
protect the core zone.
Q.) Why these activities area allowed when they can have detrimental impact on
biosphere reserve?
To reduce its effect on core zone.
• Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.
• Human activities, if natural then only allowed.

The Transition Zone

• Outermost part of a Biosphere Reserve.
• This is usually not delimited one.
• It is a zone of cooperation where conservation, knowledge and management skills are
applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the Biosphere Reserve.
• Uses include – settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive
recreation, and other economic uses characteristic of the region.

How Biosphere Reserves are different from protected areas?

 BR intention is not to replace existing protected areas but it widens the scope of
conventional approach of protection and further strengthen the Protected Area
Network.
 Existing legally protected areas (NP, WLS, Tiger Reserve and reserve protected forests)
may become part of the BR without any change in their legal status.
 Inclusion of such areas in BR will enhance their national value but it doesn’t mean that
Biosphere Reserves are to be established only around the National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries.
However, the Biosphere Reserves differ from protected areas due to their emphasis on –
1. Conservation of overall biodiversity rather than some specific flagship species
2. Different components of BRs like landscapes, habitats, and species and land races.
3. Developmental activities, and resolution of conflicts between development and
conservation.
4. Local people’s participation and their training.
5. Sustainable environment friendly development.
6. Research and Monitoring.

World Network of Biosphere Reserves

 In order to facilitate cooperation, BRs are admitted into international network by
International Coordinating Council of MAB program of UNESCO on the request of
participating country subject to fulfilling of criteria.
 Participation is voluntary and BRs remain under sole sovereignty of state.
 Delisting – on grounds of violation of obligation for conservation and sustainable
development of BRs.
 Ten of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.