Biosphere Reserves: Definition, Structure, Importance, FAQs

A biosphere reserve is a place where the local flora and wildlife are conserved, and various scientific studies are conducted on them. For instance, the Nilgiris and Sunderbans. A protected area designated for the preservation of threatened plant and animal species in their native habitats.

What are Biosphere Reserves?

"Learning sites for sustainable development" are biosphere reserves. In addition to conflict resolution and biodiversity management, they serve as testing grounds for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and controlling changes and interactions between social and ecological systems. They are locations that offer regional answers to international problems. Terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems are all included in biosphere reserves. Each website advocates strategies that balance biodiversity protection with sustainable usage.

National governments designate biosphere reserves, which continue to be governed by the sovereign authority of the states in which they are found. Following the decisions of the MAB International Coordinating Council, the Director-General of UNESCO designates Biosphere Reserves under the intergovernmental MAB Programme (MAB ICC). Their standing is acknowledged on a global scale. Sites can be submitted through the designation process by the Member States.

Functions of Biosphere Reserves

• Preservation of cultural diversity and biodiversity.

• Sustainable economic growth in terms of society, culture, and the environment.

• Supporting development through research, monitoring, teaching, and training while providing logistical support.

Zones of Biosphere Reserves

Core Zone

• Human interference is categorically prohibited in this region because it is legally protected.

• It is the most pristine biosphere within.

• The data from these regions aid in determining if certain activities are sustainable or whether the surrounding environment can be maintained.

Buffer Zone

• The buffer zone is the region surrounding the core zone.

• Only scientific and educational activities involving humans are allowed here. The core area's conservation goals shouldn't be impeded by these operations.

• Activities that contribute to managing natural vegetation, agricultural land, fisheries, or forests to improve the quality of production are also included in this category.

• Facilities for tourism and pleasure could be found in this area. Compared to the transition zone, human activity is less intense in this zone.

Manipulation Zone

In a biosphere reserve's periphery, locals and reserve management work together to approve human activities, including farming, recreation, forestry, and towns. Through these efforts, the deteriorated region is restored to its natural condition.

In this zone, the local communities, scientists, conservation organisations, cultural groups, and other stakeholders collaborate to use the region sustainably for the benefit of the inhabitants.

Importance of Biosphere Reserves

Following is a list of reasons why biosphere reserves are important:

• Conservation: Without impacting the occupants, biosphere reserves protect the species, ecosystems, genetic diversity, and landscapes.

• Development: It assures that economic, cultural, social, and economic developments are all sustainable.

• Restoration: The biosphere reserves repair any harm done to the habitats and ecosystems.

• Education and Research: These locations offer a wealth of knowledge on how to grow, protect, and repair the ecosystem. The studies offer strategies for recreating altered landscapes brought about by human activity.

• Land Use Planning: Together, the landowners, government organisations, farmers, scientists, businesses, and conservation organisations in these places can search for holistic land management.

• Healthy Ecosystems: By limiting soil erosion, safeguarding water springs, and preserving the decomposers to maintain the soil's quality, they aid in the maintenance of healthy ecosystems.

Biosphere Reserves in India

• Nilgiri (1986): Bandipur and Madumalai, Silent Valley, Siruvani Hills, Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Wayanad (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka).

• In 1988, Nanda Devi was a portion of the Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand).

• Nokrek (1988): One of the Garo Hills' sections (Meghalaya).

• Andaman and Nicobar's southernmost islands, Great Nicobar, 1989 (A&N Islands)

• Gulf of Mannar (1989): The Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu).

• In 1989, the districts of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup, and Darang included the district of Manas (Assam).

• The Sundarbans, which are a part of the Ganges and Brahmaputra river delta, were first identified in 1989. Western Benga

• In 1994, Simlipal, a district in Simlipal (Orissa)

• Dibru-Saikhowa – 1997: A section of the Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts (Assam).

• Dehang-Dibang – 1998: The valleys of Siang and Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh.

• Pachmarhi struck parts of the Madhya Pradesh districts of Betul, Hoshangabad, and Chhindwara in 1999

• Khangchendzonga – 2000: Khangchendzonga Hills and Sikkim.

• Kerala's Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries, as well as the areas around them, were the focus of Agasthyamalai's 2001 artwork.

• Achanakmar (Amarkantak) has been covering portions of the Anuppur and Dindori districts in M.P. as well as the Bilaspur districts in Chhattisgarh State since 2005.

• As of 2008, it was a part of the Gujarat State civic districts of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar, and Patan.

• Cold Desert – 2009: Himachal Pradesh's Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary; Pin Valley National Park and surroundings.

• Seshachalam Hills – 2010: The Seshachalam Hill Ranges are found in parts of the Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh.

• In 2011, a portion of the Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh.

Benefits of a Biosphere Reserve

• The region's environmental, economic, and social sustainability is aided by biosphere reserves by promoting the wise use of its resources, both natural and human.

• They provide practical options for addressing land use conflicts and protecting biological diversity.

• Through national and international networks, a biosphere reserve region can access information, expertise, assistance, and financing.

• The idea of the biosphere can serve as a framework for initiatives that improve people's quality of life.

• The goal of biosphere reserves is to explore and demonstrate methods for conservation and sustainable development while offering lessons that may be applied elsewhere.

• Biosphere reserves draw attention to the region's unique qualities and aid in fostering a feeling of place among locals and tourists. The designation of a biosphere reserve can increase awareness of environmental and development issues among local residents, citizens, and government officials.

• A biosphere reserve serves as a focal point for volunteerism and stakeholder collaboration.

Characteristics of Biosphere Reserve

• Large biodiverse areas that are protected for their flora and animals are called biosphere reserves.

• The water, land, and atmosphere that support life on our planet are collectively referred to as the "biosphere."

• A reserve is a defined area with the specific purpose of striking a balance between conservation and sustainable use.

• The creation of biosphere reserves is a great example of a local effort to save the environment while also fostering steady, sustainable economic growth.

• Every living thing thriving within the reserve's bounds, including flora, animals, and human settlements, is safeguarded.

• Each Biosphere Reserve is a protected region on land or along the shore where people have a significant influence.

• BRs safeguard specialised biodiversity communities or regions with extraordinary ecological features.

• In BRs, traditional land-use practices have produced aesthetically pleasing landscapes.

• In BRs, there are instances of altered or deteriorated ecosystems that can be returned to their more natural state.

• BRs often include spaces for baseline measurements, experimental and manipulative research, instruction, and training in addition to a non-manipulative core area. These regions can be combined to form a cluster when they are not adjacent.

Criteria for Selection of Biosphere Reserves

The International Coordination Council (ICC) of the MAB programme determines which biosphere reserves to include in the network.

In order to properly participate in the network, states are urged to assess the sufficiency of any existing biosphere reserves, make any necessary upgrades, and propose extensions.

The Network includes biosphere reserves that were established before the current statutory framework was adopted. As a result, they are covered by the Statutory Framework's rules.

Objectives of Biosphere Reserves

• To protect the diversity and health of microorganisms, animals, and plants.

• To further studies on ecological preservation and other environmental issues.

• To offer resources for instruction, training, and awareness, 13 Biosphere Reserves have been established thus far.

Roles of Biosphere Reserves

• It aids in the preservation of the local animals.

• It aids in maintaining the area's pristine ecological settings.

• It encourages regional economic growth that is compatible with conservation goals.

• It preserves the way of life of the local tribal people.

• It offers chances for environmental education, scientific research, and tourism.

How was a Biosphere Reserve Declared?

State or federal administrations may declare biosphere reserves via notification. Once they are established, the National Governments may propose them for inclusion in the Man & Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO.

In 1971, this programme was introduced. If UNESCO approves the application, the biosphere reserve will be included in the MAB Program's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). Exchanges of knowledge, expertise, and individuals are made possible inside this network.

The nodal agency for Biosphere Reserve programmes is the Department of Environment. It conducts in-depth scientific research, maps the biogeographical regions and vegetation kinds, and identifies key locations. This effort is supported by the Indian Zoological Survey and Indian Botanical Survey. The state government would build up the needed equipment, with the federal government covering the costs of setup.

What is a Buffer Zone?

A buffer zone is a neutral geographic area between two or more bodies of land, typically those of different nations. The purpose of a buffer zone can be to divide or link territories, depending on their kind. Demilitarised areas, border areas, some restricted easement areas, and green belts are typical examples of buffer zones. A sovereign state, acting as a buffer state, may include such zones.

Buffer Zone Meaning in Malayalam

ഒരു ബഫർ സോൺ എന്നത് രണ്ടോ അതിലധികമോ ഭൂപ്രദേശങ്ങൾക്കിടയിൽ സ്ഥിതിചെയ്യുന്ന ഒരു നിഷ്പക്ഷ മേഖലയാണ്, സാധാരണയായി രാജ്യങ്ങളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടതാണ്. ബഫർ സോണിന്റെ തരത്തെ ആശ്രയിച്ച്, ഇത് പ്രദേശങ്ങൾ വേർപെടുത്തുന്നതിനോ അവയെ സംയോജിപ്പിക്കുന്നതിനോ സഹായിച്ചേക്കാം. സൈനികവൽക്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട മേഖലകൾ, അതിർത്തി മേഖലകൾ, ചില നിയന്ത്രിത ഈസ്‌മെന്റ് സോണുകൾ, ഗ്രീൻ ബെൽറ്റുകൾ എന്നിവയാണ് സാധാരണ ബഫർ സോണുകൾ. അത്തരം സോണുകൾ ഒരു പരമാധികാര രാഷ്ട്രത്താൽ ഉൾപ്പെട്ടേക്കാം, അത് ഒരു ബഫർ സ്റ്റേറ്റ് രൂപീകരിക്കുന്നു.

Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme

• In order to protect and manage natural forest reserves around the world, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Man and Biosphere Reserve programme.

• This initiative designates certain regions with high natural forests as natural biosphere reserves.

• Freedom of movement is restricted in these regions, and several scientific research projects are carried out to better understand the health of the reserves' diverse flora and wildlife.

• The programme for a man and biosphere reserve has the following objectives:

• Retain typical ecosystem sample collections.

• Promote implicit national cooperation.

• The long-term preservation of in-situ genetic diversity.

• Adequately manage living resources over the long term.

• Make changes for training and education available.

Biosphere Conservation

India is a signatory to the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program's landscape-based strategy, which forms the foundation of the Biosphere Reserve Program. Since 1986, the Indian government has run a programme known as the Biosphere Reserve, under which it provides financial assistance to the states of the North Eastern Region and the three Himalayan states in a ratio of 90:10 and to other states in a ratio of 60:40 for the preservation, growth, and advancement of particular things. The Central MAB Committee approves and monitors the Management Action Plan, which is developed by the State Government.