Biosphere reserves
About:
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) refers to representative natural and cultural landscapes spanning substantial areas of terrestrial, coastal/marine ecosystems, or a combination of both as “Biosphere Reserves” (BR).
- In order to preserve the environment, Biosphere Reserves strives to strike a balance between social and economic development, the preservation of related cultural values, and economic and social advancement.
- Biosphere reserves serve as practical illustrations of how people and the environment can coexist while honouring the requirements of each other as distinct ecosystems for each.
- What standards are used to identify a biosphere reserve?
- A centrally situated, minimally disturbed area that is significant to the ecosystem must exist on a site.
- The core area must be a bio-geographical unit large enough to support populations that are representative of all trophic levels.
- the use of local community expertise and participation in biodiversity protection.
- the region’s ability to sustain traditional rural or tribal ways of life for use in an environmentally friendly manner.
Other Details:
- The region that is best preserved is that which is contained within a biosphere reserve. It might have native plant and animal species.
- They are significant genetic repositories of high scientific relevance and conserve the wild relatives of commercial species.
- A core zone is a protected area, such as a national park or wildlife refuge, that is primarily managed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. It is protected from interference from people.
- The buffer zone, which surrounds the core zone, is managed in a way that promotes the preservation of the pristine state of the core zone.
- Activities that have a lesser harmful impact on the core zone, such as restoration, mild tourism, grazing, fishing, and other activities, are allowed.
- Initiatives in education and research should be encouraged.
- The biosphere reserve’s farthest region is called the transition zone. In this sphere of cooperation, human endeavours and conservation actions can coexist together.
- It has towns, farms, well-managed woods, outdoor leisure places, and other locally prevalent economic pursuits.
What roles do biosphere reserves perform?
- Conserving the genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems, and landscapes of the Biosphere Reserve.
- It might put a stop to situations where people and animals come into conflict, like when Avni the tiger turned into a man-eater and had to be put down.
- Tribal culture and customs are protected in addition to animal protection.
- Development is the process of fostering socioculturally and environmentally viable economic and human advancement. Social, economic, and environmental protection are the three cornerstones of sustainable development, and they should all be strengthened.
- The facilitation of research initiatives, environmental education, training, and monitoring within the context of local, national, and global conservation and sustainable development is known as logistic assistance.
