Biosphere reserves

Biosphere reserves

1. Biosphere reserves, forest research institutes Sankrita Gaonkar Assistant Professor in Botany [email protected]

2. Contents Biosphere reserves Forest research institutes References

3. Biosphere reserve Special protected areas of terrestrial or coastal environments, where people are integrated components of system Are examples of natural biomes – unique biological communities Concept launched in 1971 – UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme India – 18 biosphere reserves – rich biodiversity Are nominated by national government and controlled by state government

4. Objectives of Biosphere reserve: 1) A conservation function – to contribute to conservation of landscapes, ecosystems and species variation 2) A development function – to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable 3) A logistic function – to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development

5. Structure of Biosphere reserve Three interrelated zones: 1) Core zone – represents undisturbed or least disturbed area of an ecosystem 2) Buffer zone – surrounds the core zone Managed for research, education and training activities Restriction on resource use Undertake special developmental measures to enhance conservation Timber production, hunting, fishing, grazing are permitted 3) Transition zone – outermost part of biosphere reserve Active cooperation between reserve management and local people Settlements, cropping, forestry and recreation are permitted

6. Sacred groves Patches of forests that are protected by local communities because of religious beliefs and traditional rituals Any disturbances to forest will offend the deity, causing illness, natural calamities or crop failure E.g., Ajobachi Rai at Keri, Devachi Rai at Pernem

7. There are 18 biosphere reserves in India: Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh Nanda Devi, Uttrakhand Khangchendzonga , Sikkim Dehang-Debang , Arunachal Pradesh Manas, Assam Dibru-Saikhowa , Assam Nokrek , Meghalaya Panna, Madhya Pradesh Pachmarhi , Madhya Pradesh Achanakmar-Amarkantak , Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh Kachchh, Gujarat (Largest Area) Similipal , Odisha Sundarban , West Bengal Seshachalam , Andhra Pradesh Agasthyamala , Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala Nilgiri , Tamil Nadu-Kerala (First to be Included) Gulf of Mannar , Tamil Nadu Great Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island

8. Forest Research Institutes of India https://www.collegedekho.com/articles/forest-research-institutes-in-india/

9. References https://www.collegedekho.com/articles/forest-research-institutes-in-india/ Kumar P and Mina U. 2020. Fundamentals of ecology and environment. 2 ND Edition. Pathfinder Publication, New Delhi. 160-162