The term ‘Biosphere Reserve' should denote an area:

•  which is, set aside for the conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement of the relationship between man and the environment;

•  which is, to serve as sites for long term scientific research as well as education all over the world.

The programme of Biosphere Reserve was initiated under the 'Man & Biosphere' (MAB) programme by UNESCO in 1971. Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by National Governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Biosphere Reserves serve in some ways as 'living laboratories' for testing out and demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity (CES., UNESCO, 2005., IUCN, 1979).

Biosphere Reserve Objectives

Each Biosphere Reserve is intended to fulfill three basic functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing:

•  A conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;

•  A development function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;

•  A logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development (UNESCO, 2005).

Protected area categories

Natural or Core Zone

Managed for minimum human interference, to serve as a baseline for the biological region; research, educational and training activities are carefully controlled and must have a non-manipulative effect in the zone.

Manipulative or Buffer Zone

Managed for research, education and training activities and manipulative methods and techniques are permitted. Traditional activities including timber production, hunting, fishing and grazing are permitted.

Reclamation or Restoration

Managed to study and reclaim lands and natural resources where heavy natural and human caused alteration has passed ecological thresholds, where biological process have been interrupted or where species have become locally extinct.

Cultural Zone

Managed to protect and study ongoing cultures and land use practices, which are in harmony with the environment. Here, local residents and their activities are on the move, but new technologies may be strictly controlled (IUCN, 1997).

Conservation Reserve

The State Government may, after having consultation with the local communities, declare any area owned by Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and Sanctuaries and those areas which link one protected area with another, as a Conservation Reserve for protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitats (Wildlife Protection Socity of India, 2003).

There are two Conservation Areas in India covering an area of 42.44 km 2 , which is 0.001% of the geographical area of the country. The State of Uttaranchal had established these two Conservation Reserves in August 2005 (NIC, 2005).

State-wise break up of protected areas in India

Summary of currently available protected areas in India

Tiger Reserves

Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country.  Beginning with nine reserves in 1973-74 the number has grown up to twenty eight in 1999-2000.  These project tiger areas cover a total area of 35,747.08 sq km, which is 1.09% of the total geographical area in the country (WII, 2005). 

List of Tiger Reserves in India

Birds protected areas in India

•  Rajiv Gandhi NP (Andhra Pradesh)

•  Pobitora WS (Assam)

•  Dibru Saikhowa WS (Assam)

•  D'Ering Memorial WS (Arunachal Pradesh)

•  Pakhui WS (Arunachal Pradesh)

•  Namdapha TR (Arunachal Pradesh)

•  Shoolpaneshwar WS (Gujarat)

•  Wild Ass WS (Gujarat)

•  Great Himalayan NP (Himachal Pradesh)

•  Majhatal Harsang WS (Himachal Pradesh)

•  Kalesar WS (Haryana)

•  Eravikulam NP (Kerala)

•  Chinnar WS (Kerala)

•  Chendurang WS (Kerala)

•  Radhanagari WS (Maharashtra)

•  Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) NP (Mizoram)

•  Bhitarkanika WS (Orissa)

•  Sajjangarh WS (Rajasthan)

•  Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)

•  Mudumalai WS (Tamil Nadu)

•  Rajaji NP (Uttaranchal)

•  Cobertt NP (Uttaranchal)

•  Buxa TR (West Bengal)

•  Jaldapara WS (West Bengal)

24 protected areas.

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• Proposal for reorganizing and reorienting nature conservation and establishing Biosphere Reserve. Department of Environment.
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• Nanda Devi National Park (Uttar Pradesh, India): Establishment of Biosphere Reserve in India materials for project . Botanical Survey of India, West Bengal.
• Guidelines for the selection of Biosphere Reserves: An Interim Report and Key . (1981). UNESCO.
• Saldanha, C. J.; Ansari, R.; Daniels, R.J.R.; Easa, P.; Gopalan, R.; Nair, V.J. and Suresh, H.S. (1986). Multidisciplinary expedition to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: 10-18 April 1986 preliminary investigation . CES Technical Report No. 16 . CES, IISC, Bangalore.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Information System: Preliminary Report. CES, IISC Bangalore.
• Gadgil, M.; Nair, S.S.C. and Sukumar, R. (1986) Scientific programme for the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: Proposal for an action plan . CES Technical Report No. 37. CES, IISC, Bangalore.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: An overview. Envis Technical Report No. 11. Envis Centre, CES, IISC, Bangalore.
• Nilgiri biosphere Reserve: Bibliography. Envis Technical Report No. 14. Envis Centre, CES, IISC, Bangalore.
• Saldanha, C.J.; Ansari, R.; Daniels, R.J.R.; Easa.; Gopalan, R.; Nair, V.J. and Suresh, H.S. (1989). Multidisciplinary expedition to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. CES, IISC, Bangalore.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Information System . CES, IISC, Bangalore.
• Biosphere Reserves: Proceedings of the first National Symposium Udhagamandalam, 24-25 September 1986. (1987). Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi.
• Sarkar, Sarbani.; Suri, Saloni.; Singh, Neena. and Kothari , Ashish. (1985). Joint management of protected areas in India: Report of a Workshop. Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi.

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