Biosphere Reserves

The concept of biosphere reserves has been evolved by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme (MABP).

A biosphere reserve is a specified area in which multiple use of the land is permitted by dividing it into zones, each for a particular activity.

Zones of biosphere reserve

A biosphere reserve is divided into 3 zones - Core, Buffer and Manipulation.

The zones of biosphere reserve

a) Core zone

No human activity is allowed in this zone. Comprises of legally protected ecosystem.

b) Buffer zone

Limited human activity is permitted in the buffer zone.

c) Manipulation zone or Transition zone

Several human activities can occur in the manipulation zone.

Example: Settlements, cropping, forestry, recreation etc.

Role of biosphere reserves

A biosphere reserve preserves

a) wild population

b) life style of tribals

c) genetic resources of domesticated plants and animals.

It helps in

1) conservation

2) promotes economic development

3) Scientific research, monitoring and education.

Biosphere Reserves of India

14 Biosphere Reserves are in India.

Popular National Parks and Sanctuaries in India

The Biosphere Reserves in India

Sacred forests and sacred lakes

A traditional strategy for the protection of biodiversity has been in practice in India and some other Asian countries in the form of sacred forests. These are forest patches of varying dimensions protected by tribal communities due to religious sanctity accorded to them. In India sacred forests are located in several parts.

For e.g., Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Meghalaya etc. and are serving as refugia (an area in which a population of organisms can survive through a period of unfavourable conditions) for a number of rare, endangered and endemic taxa.

Similarly several water bodies (e.g., Khecheoprai lake in Sikkim) are declared sacred by people. This indirectly leads to protection of aquatic flora and fauna.

Ex situ Conservation Strategies

Ex situ conservation strategies include botanical gardens, zoos, conservation stands and gene/ pollen/ seed/ seedling/ tissue culture/ DNA banks.

In vitro conservation, especially by cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196^oC is particularly useful for conserving vegetatively propagated crops like potato. Cryopreservation is the storage of material at ultra low temperature either by very rapid cooling (used for storing seeds) or by gradual cooling and simultaneous dehydration at low temperature (used for tissue culture). The material can be stored for a long period of time in compact, low maintenance refrigeration units.