Biosphere Reserves (BR)

Biosphere Reserves (BR) The Man and Biosphere (MAB) program initiated in 1972 is a broad based ecological program aimed at improvement of the relationship between man and the environment. The approach emphasizes on research and training and seeks scientific information to find solution to problems in management and conservation. The concept of biosphere reserves were adopted under the Convention on biological diversity (CBD) process on 29^th December 1993. 

The CBD has two principal objectives, namely , “ Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological  Diversity” and “Fair and Equitable sharing of benefits arsing from its utilization”. The biosphere reserves are special sites for both people  and the nature . The reserves contain genetic element evolved over millions of years that hold  the key  to future adaptations and survival. These  sites have global importance, having tremendous potential for future economic development. The biosphere reserves have been categorized into three main areas.

·         Core Area(s):  These sites are dedicated to conservation. The core zone is kept absolutely undisturbed. It secures legal protection, management and research activities that do not affect natural processes. It is kept free from all human pressures.

·         Buffer Area(s): It adjoins or surrounds the core zones and the activities here are managed in ways that protects the core zone. The activities include restoration and demonstration of sites for enhancing value addition to the resources. Activities such as recreation, tourism, fishing and grazing are limited.

·         Transitions Area(s): It is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve. This includes settlement, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristic of the region.

In buffer  and transition zones, manipulative macro-management practices are sued. Experimental research areas are used for understanding the ecosystem. The  understanding of ecosystem helps to restore the ecology in a way that it returns to sustainable productivity.