165 VISIONIAS ™

www.visionias.in
www.visionias.wordpress.com

NATURAL VEGETATION

Contents:
1 Natural vegetation
1.1 Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen Forests
1.2 Tropical Deciduous Forests
1.3 Tropical Thorn Forests
1.4 The Montane Forests
1.5 Littoral and Swamp Forests
2 Forest Cover in India
3 Forest Conservation
4 National Forest Policy 1988
5 Social Forestry
6 Community forestry
7 Farm Forestry
8 Wildlife and Its Conservation
9 Protected Area Network in India
10 Biosphere Reserves
10.1 Functions of biosphere reserve
10.2 Structure and Design of Biosphere Reserves
10.3 Difference between Biosphere reserve and Protect Area(National Park, Sanctuary etc.)
10.4 Difference between Biosphere reserve and a natural World Heritage site?
10.5 Benefits of biosphere reserves
11 UPSC Questions Covered

Copyright © by Vision IAS

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior permission of Vision IAS

www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

 Student Notes:

1] Natural vegetation
Nature has gifted our country with a large variety of natural resources. Natural vegetation is an
important natural resource which refers to a plant community that has grown naturally without
human aid and has been left undisturbed by humans for a long time. The natural vegetation
adapts to the constraints of natural environment in size, structure and requirements. As India is
situated in tropical latitudes and has diverse temperature and rainfall regimes, Indian climate
and relief has made natural vegetation and animal life interdependent on each other and they
form a single ecosystem which has evolved through thousands of years. The overall climate of
India is suitable for the growth of forests1. The natural vegetation in India ranges from the one
that is found in the tropical region to that found in the Arctic region. However, in the past
thousand years, various types of human activities have altered these natural climatic
formations in the country to a large extent.
On the basis of climate and relief the natural vegetation of India can be divided in the following
types:
i. Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen forests
ii. Tropical Deciduous forests
iii. Tropical Thorn forests
iv. Montane forests
v. Littoral and Swamp forests

1.1 Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen Forests

)
om
l.c
Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen Forests are found mainly in the areas where the annual

ai
gm
rainfall is more than 200 cm, with a short dry season. The average annual temperature should @
be above 22 °C. The relative humidity should also be high, approx around 70 percent. The
ss

general climatic conditions should be hot and humid.

j
rl.
gi
m

The trees in these regions are generally evergreen and do not shed their leaves. These forests
ea
dr

are very dense and composed of tall trees reaching upto the height of about 60 metres. The
h(

trees have a multi-storeyed structure with good canopy. Due to dense growth of trees, the
ng
Si

sunlight cannot reach the ground. Thus, the undergrowth mainly consists of canes, bamboos,
na

ferns, climbers, etc.

ts
yo
rJ

The semi evergreen forests are found in the less rainy parts of these regions. Such forests have
fo

a mixture of evergreen and moist deciduous trees. The under-growing climbers provide an
d
e

evergreen character to these forests. These forests are less dense and can be easily exploited.
is
al
on

The timber from the tropical evergreen and semi- evergreen a forest is hard, durable, fine-
rs
pe

grained and of high economic value. The important trees of these forests are rosewood,
s
ti

ebony, mahogany, rubber, cinchona, bamboo, coconut, palms, canes, lianas, etc. The main
en

species in the semi-evergreen forests are cedar, hillock, kail, etc. The true evergreen forests are
m
cu

mostly found along the western side of the Western Ghats, in the northern states and in the
do

Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The semi-evergreen forests which are more gregarious are
is
Th

found along the lower slopes of eastern Himalaya Mountains, Assam, Orissa coast, Western
coast and neighbouring hills.

1
The original natural vegetation, which are purely native are called the endemic plants, but those which
have come from outside are called the exotic plants.

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
1 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

1.2 Tropical Deciduous Forests

Tropical Deciduous Forests are the monsoon forests and are found mainly in the areas where
the average annual rainfall ranges between 70 cm and 200 cm, with mean annual temperature
of about 27 °C. The average annual relative humidity should be 60 to 75 per cent. The tropical
deciduous forests are most widespread in India.
On the basis of availability of water, these forests are further divided into moist and dry
deciduous forests. The moist deciduous forests are found in areas receiving rainfall between
100 cm and 200 cm, while the dry deciduous forests are found in areas having 70 cm to 100 cm
of average annual rainfall.
The trees in the deciduous forests shed their leaves for about 6 to 8 weeks during the spring
and early summer seasons (March-April). During this period sufficient moisture is not available
for the leaves. Enough light reaches the ground to permit the growth of grasses and climbers.
The tropical deciduous forests are commercially most important as they yield valuable timber
and a variety of other forest products. The important trees in the moist deciduous forests are
teak, sal, shisham, sandalwood, khair, kusum, arjun, mahua, mulberry, etc. The dry deciduous
forests are more open stretches and also have pipal, neem, tendu, bamboo, apart from those
in the moist deciduous forests.
The tropical deciduous forests are commercially most exploited. Large tracts of these forests
have been cleared to provide more land for agricultural purposes and have also suffered from

)
severe biotic factors, such as over-cutting, overgrazing, fires, etc.

om
l.c
ai
The moist deciduous forests are found mainly in the north-eastern states, along the foothills of
the Himalaya Mountains, Jharkhand, west Orissa, Chhattisgarh and on the eastern slopes of the
gm
@
ss

Western Ghats. The dry deciduous forests are found mainly in the rainier parts of the
j
rl.

peninsular plateau and the plains of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

gi
m
ea
dr

1.3 Tropical Thorn Forests

h(
ng

Tropical Thorn Forests are found mainly in those areas where the average annual rainfall is less
Si
na

than 50 cm, with a long dry season. The average annual temperature ranges between 25 °C and
ts

30 °C and the relative humidity is low, i.e. less than 50 per cent. The natural vegetation is thorny
yo
rJ

trees and bushes. There is not much scope for thick and tall forests due to the shortage of
fo

moisture. The trees are scattered and have long roots. The roots penetrate deep into the soil to
de
is

get moisture. The leaves are mostly thick and small, which retards evaporation. The trees have
al
on

thick bark and their wood is generally used as fuel.

rs
pe

The main trees found in the tropical thorn forests are acacias, palms, euphorbias and cacti.
s
ti

Other important trees include khair, babul, neem, kheijra, kanju, palas, nirmali, dharman,
en

khagri, etc. The tropical thorn forests are found in the northwestern parts of the country,
m
cu

including semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, southwestern
do

Punjab and western Haryana. These forests also grow on the leeward side of Western Ghats,
is
Th

covering large areas in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
1.4 The Montane Forests
The natural vegetation in the mountains is greatly influenced by the decrease in temperature
with increase in height above sea level. The mountain forests can be broadly classified into two
major categories the forests in the Himalayan ranges and the forests in the peninsular plateaus
and hill ranges.

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
2 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

In the Himalaya Mountains, one can notice a succession of natural vegetation belts, as we see
in the tropical to the tundra region. Between the height of 1000 m and 2000 m, the evergreen
broad-leaf trees such as oak and chestnut predominate. Between the height of 1500 m and
3000 m, the coniferous trees, such as pine, deodar, silver fir, spruce and cedar are found. The
coniferous forests cover the southern slopes of Himalayas and parts of northeast India. At
higher elevations (about 3600 m above sea level) temperate grasslands are common. At
attitudes above 3600 m, coniferous forests and grasslands give way to the alpine vegetation.
Silver firs, junipers, pines and birches are common varieties of trees.
Ultimately these forests merge into alpine grasslands, through the shrubs and scrubs. The
grasslands are extensively used by the nomadic tribes like the Gujjars and the Bakarwals for
grazing livestock. The southern slopes of the Himalaya Mountains have denser forests than the
north facing areas. This is due to relatively higher precipitation. At higher altitudes, mosses and
lichens form part of vegetation.
In the peninsular India, the mountain forests are found in the three district areas—the Western
Ghats, the Vindhyas and the Nilgiris. As they are closer to the tropics, and only 1,500 m above
the sea level, vegetation is temperate in the higher regions and subtropical on the lower
regions of the Western Ghats, especially in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The temperate
forests are called Sholas in the Nilgiris, Annamalai and Palani hills. The word 'shola' is probably
derived from the Tamil language word ‘colai’ meaning grove. The shola-forest and grassland
complex has been described as a climatic climax vegetation. Some of the other trees of this
forest of economic significance include magnolia, laurel, cinchona and wattle. Now the tea

)
om
plantations have been developed and many useful trees have been planted in recent years. As a

l.c
result of these efforts the former bare areas today have vegetal cover.

ai
gm
1.5 Littoral and Swamp Forests @
ssj
rl.

These forests are found in and around the deltas of the Ganga, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna
gi
m

and Kaveri rivers. These areas are prone to tidal influences. They also occur in tidal creeks and
ea

coastal areas where mud, silt and saline water have accumulated. Mangroves grow along the
dr
h(

coasts in the salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats and estuaries. They are highly developed in
ng
Si

the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Sunder bans of West Bengal. These forests too, are
na

being encroached upon, and hence, need conservation.

ts
yo

Mangrove ecosystem acts as Buffer Zone between the land and sea. Mangroves protect the
rJ
fo

coast against erosion due to wind, waves, and water currents and protect coral reefs, sea-grass
d
e

bed and shipping lanes against siltation. They are also known to absorb pollutants. Mangroves
is
al

host a number of threatened or endangered species, different animal species- mammals,

on
rs

reptiles, amphibians and bird- offer nutrients to the marine food web and provide spawning
pe

grounds to a variety of fish and shellfish, including several commercial species. Mangrove
s
ti

forests are also important in terms of aesthetics and tourism. Many people visit these areas for
en
m

sports fishing, boating, bird watching, snorkelling, and other recreational pursuits.
cu
do

Wetlands
is
Th

Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is
usually or near the water surface and land is covered by shallow water.
Identification of wetlands can be attributed to the following three main factors, viz., (i) When an
area is permanently or periodically inundated; (ii) When an area supports hydrophytic
vegetation; (iii) When an area has hydric soils that are saturated or flooded for a sufficiently
long period to become anaerobic in the upper layers.

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
3 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

On these criteria, Ramsar Convention defines Wetlands as areas of marsh or fen, peat-land or
water, whether artificial or natural, permanent or temporary, with the water that is static or
flowing, a fresh brackish or salt including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide
does not exceed six meter. Mangroves, corals, estuaries, bays, creeks, flood plans, sea grasses,
lakes, etc., are covered under this definition.
Wetlands in India: The country’s wetlands have been grouped into eight categories, viz. (i) the
reservoirs of the Deccan Plateau in the south together with the lagoons and other wetlands of
the southern west coast; (ii) the vast saline expanses of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Gulf of
Kachchh; (iii) freshwater lakes and reservoirs from Gujarat eastwards through Rajasthan
(Keoladeo National Park) and Madhya Pradesh; (iv) the delta wetlands and lagoons of India’s
east coast (Chilika Lake); (v) the freshwater marshes of the Gangetic Plain; (vi) the floodplains of
the Brahmaputra; the marshes and swamps in the hills of northeast India and the Himalayan
foothills; (vii) the lakes and rivers of the Montane region of Kashmir and Ladakh; and (viii) the
mangrove forest and other wetlands of the island arcs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Two sites — Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur) are protected as
water-fowl habitats under the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar
Convention).
Wetlands are essential ecological features in any landscape. They are primary habitat for
hundreds of species of waterfowl as well as many other birds, fish, mammals and insects.
Wetlands naturally filter and recharge the water that later comes out of our faucets
downstream. They act like giant sponges, slowing the flow of surface water and reducing the

)
om
impact of flooding. Wetlands also prevent soil erosion, and they buffer water bodies from

l.c
potentially damaging land use activities such as agriculture. And wetlands can remove and

ai
gm
store greenhouse gases from the Earth’s atmosphere, slowing the onset of global warming. @
Apart from that, they are valuable for their educational and scientific interest and provide
ssj
rl.

durable timber, fuelwood, protein rich fodder for cattle, edible fruits, vegetables and traditional
gi
m

medicines.
ea
dr
h(
ng
Si

2] Forest Cover in India

na
ts

According to the records of the Government of India, the forest area covers 23.812 per cent of
yo
rJ

the total land area of the country, which is much below the average of about 30.4 per cent for
fo

the world. The forest area is the area notified and recorded as the forest land irrespective of the
d
e
is

existence of trees, while the actual forest cover is the area occupied by forests with canopy.
al
on

While the former is based on the records of the State Revenue Department, the latter is based
rs
pe

on aerial photographs and satellite imageries.

s
ti

Both forest area and forest cover varies from state to state. India has only 2% of the total
en
m

world’s forest. The state of Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country at
cu

77,700 square km followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 67, 410 square km. In terms of percentage
do
is

of forest cover in relation to total geographical area, Mizoram tops with 90.68% followed by
Th

Lakshadweep with 84.56%.

2
India State of Forest Report 2011 Forest Cover (21.05%) + Tree Cover(2.76%)

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
4 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

India State of Forest Report 2011 Released

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has been publishing a series of biennial assessment report the
forest cover in the country since 1987. As per the present assessment, the Forest and Tree
cover of the country is 78.29 million ha, which is 23.81% of the geographical area of the
country. In comparison to the 2009 assessment, after taking into account the interpretational
changes, there is a decrease of 367 square km in country’s forest cover. 15 states have
registered aggregate increase of 5000sqkm in their forest cover with Punjab leading with
increase of 100sqkm. 12 states/UTs (mainly the NE states) have shown decrease to the extent of
867sqkm. Decline of 281 sqkm in Forest cover of Andhra Pradesh is mainly attributed to
harvesting of mature plantation of Eucalyptus & other species. Decline in Forest cover of NE is
particularly due to prevailing practice of shifting cultivation in this region. The state of Madhya
Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country at 77,700 square km followed by Aruncachal
Pradesh at 67, 410 square km. In terms of percentage of forest cover in relation to total
geographical area, Mizoram tops with 90.68% followed by Lakshadweed with 84.56%. The total
growing stock of India’s forests and trees outside forests is estimated as 6047.15 million cu m
i.e. 4498.73 million cu m inside the recorded forest area and 1548.42 million cu m outside the
recorded forests.

On the basis of the percentage of the actual forest cover, the states have been grouped into

)
om
four regions:

l.c
ai
The Region and Percentage States
gm
Cover of the Forest @
ssj
rl.
gi
m

(i) The region of high Mizoram (90.68%), Lakshadweep (84.56%), A & N Islands
ea
dr

concentration (81.51%), Arunachal Pradesh (80.5%), Nagaland (80.33%),

h(
ng

> 40 Meghalaya (77.02%), Manipur (76.54%)

Si
na

Tripura (76.04%), Goa (59.94%), Sikkim (47.34%), Uttarakhand

ts

(45.8%), Kerala (44.52%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (42.97%),

yo
rJ

Chhattisgarh (41.18%)
fo
d
e

(ii) The region of medium Assam (35.28%), Orissa (31.41%), Jharkhand (28.82%),
is
al

concentration 20- Himachal Pradesh (26.37%), Madhya Pradesh (25.21%)

on
rs

40
pe
s

(iii) The region of low Karnataka (18.87%), Tamil Nadu (18.16%), Andhra Pradesh
ti
en

concentration (16.86%), Maharashtra (16.46%), Chandigarh(14.72%)

m
cu

10-20
West Bengal (14.64%), Delhi (11.88%), Puducherry (10.43%),
do

Jammu & Kashmir (10.14%)

is
Th

(iv)The region of very low Gujarat (7.46%), Bihar (7.27%), Uttar Pradesh (5.95%), Daman
concentration & Diu (5.49%), Rajasthan (4.7%), Haryana (3.64%), Punjab
< 10 (3.5%)

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
5 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

3] Forest Conservation
Forests have an intricate interrelationship with life and environment. These provide numerous
direct and indirect advantages to our economy and society. Hence, conservation of forest is of
vital importance to the survival and prosperity of humankind.

4] National Forest Policy 1988

India adopted a forest policy in 1952, which was further modified in 1988.The forest policy of
the Government of India aims at: (i) bringing 33 per cent of the geographical areas under forest
cover; (ii) maintaining environmental stability and to restore forests where ecological balance
was disturbed; (iii) conserving the natural heritage of the country, its biological diversity and
genetic pool; (iv) checks soil erosion, extension of the desert lands and reduction of floods and
droughts; (v) increasing the forest cover through social forestry and afforestation on degraded
land; (vi) increasing the productivity of forests to make timber, fuel, fodder and food available
to rural population dependant on forests, and encourage the substitution of wood; (vii) creating
of a massive peoples movement involving women to encourage planting of trees, stop felling of
trees and thus, reduce pressure on the existing forest.

5] Social Forestry:

)
om
l.c
Social forestry means the management and protection of forests and afforestation on barren

ai
gm
lands with the purpose of helping in the environmental, social and rural development. The
@
National Commission on Agriculture (1976) has classified social forestry into three categories.
ss

These are urban forestry, rural forestry and Farm forestry.

j
rl.
gi
m

Urban forestry pertains to the raising and management of trees on public and privately owned
ea

lands in and around urban centres such as green belts, parks, roadside avenues, industrial and
dr
h(

commercial green belts, etc. Rural forestry lays emphasis on promotion of agro-forestry and
ng
Si

community-forestry. Agro-forestry is the raising of trees and agriculture crops on the same land
na

inclusive of the waste patches. It combines forestry with agriculture, thus, altering the
ts
yo

simultaneous production of food, fodder, fuel, timber and fruit.

rJ
fo
de
is

6] Community forestry:
al
on
rs

It involves the raising of trees on public or community land such as the village pasture and
pe

temple land, roadside, canal bank, strips along railway lines, and schools etc. Community
s
ti
en

forestry programme aims at providing benefits to the community as a whole. Community

m

forestry provides a means under which the people of landless classes can associate themselves
cu
do

in tree raising and thus, get those benefits which otherwise are restricted for landowners.
is
Th

7] Farm Forestry:
It is a term applied to the process under which farmers grow trees for commercial and non-
commercial purposes on their farm lands. Forest departments of various states distribute
seedlings of trees free of cost to small and medium farmers.

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
6 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

8] Wildlife and Its Conservation

About 4-5 per cent of all known plant and animal species on the earth are found in India. The
main reason for this remarkable diversity of life forms is the great diversity of the ecosystem
which this country has preserved and supported through the ages. Over the years, their habitat
has been disturbed by human activities and as a result, their numbers have dwindled
significantly. There are certain species that are at the brink of extinction.
Some of the important reasons of the declining of wildlife are as follows:
(i) Industrial and technological advancement brought about a rapid increase in the exploitation
of forest resources.
(ii) More and more lands were cleared for agriculture, human settlement, roads, mining,
reservoirs, etc.
(iii) Pressure on forests mounted due to lopping for fodder and fuel wood and removal of small
timber by the local people.
(iv) Grazing by domestic cattle caused an adverse effect on wildlife and its habitat.
(v) Hunting was taken up as a sport by the elite and hundreds of wild animals were killed in a
single hunt. Now commercial poaching is rampant.
(vi) Incidence of forest fire.

)
om
l.c
9] Protected Area Network in India

ai
gm
@
A National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister of India provides for policy
ss

framework for wildlife conservation in the country. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-
j
rl.
gi

2016) was adopted in 2002, emphasizing the people’s participation and their support for
m
ea

wildlife conservation. India’s conservation planning is based on the philosophy of

dr

identifying and protecting representative wild habitats across all the ecosystems. The
h(
ng

Indian Constitution entails the subject of forests and wildlife in the Concurrent list. The Federal
Si

Ministry acts as a guiding torch dealing with the policies and planning on wildlife
na
ts

conservation, while the provincial Forest Departments are vested with the responsibility of
yo
rJ

implementation of national policies and plans.

fo
d

A network of 668 Protected Areas (PAs) has been established, extending over 1,61,221.57 sq.
e
is

kms. (4.90% of total geographic area), comprising 102 National Parks, 515 Wildlife Sanctuaries,
al
on

47 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community Reserves. 39 Tiger Reserves and 28 Elephant

rs
pe

Reserves have been designated for species specific management of tiger and elephant
s

habitats. UNESCO has designated 5 Protected Areas as World Heritage Sites. As the ecosystems
ti
en

and species do not recognise political borders, the concept of Trans- boundary Protected Areas
m
cu

has been initiated for coordinated conservation of ecological units and corridors with bilateral
do

and/or multilateral cooperation of the neighbouring nations. There are 4 categories of the
is
Th

Protected Areas viz, National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community
Reserves.
Sanctuary is an area which is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or
zoological significance. The Sanctuary is declared for the purpose of protecting, propagating or
developing wildlife or its environment. Certain rights of people living inside the Sanctuary
could be permitted. Further, during the settlement of claims, before finally notifying the

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
7 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

Sanctuary, the Collector may, in consultation with the Chief Wildlife Warden, allow the
continuation of any right of any person in or over any land within the limits of the Sanctuary.
National Park is an area having adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or
zoological significance. The National Park is declared for the purpose of protecting, propagating
or developing wildlife or its environment, like that of a Sanctuary. The difference between a
Sanctuary and a National Park mainly lies in the vesting of rights of people living inside. Unlike a
Sanctuary, where certain rights can be allowed, in a National Park, no rights are allowed. No
grazing of any livestock shall also be permitted inside a National Park while in a Sanctuary, the
Chief Wildlife Warden may regulate, control or prohibit it. In addition, while any removal or
exploitation of wildlife or forest produce from a Sanctuary requires the recommendation of the
State Board for Wildlife, removal etc., from a National Park requires recommendation of the
National Board for Wildlife (However, as per orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 9th May
2002 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 337 of 1995, such removal/ exploitation from a Sanctuary also
requires recommendation of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife).
Conservation Reserves can be declared by the State Governments in any area owned by the
Government, particularly the areas adjacent to National Parks and Sanctuaries and those
areas which link one Protected Area with another. Such declaration should be made after
having consultations with the local communities. Conservation Reserves are declared for
the purpose of protecting landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat. The
rights of people living inside a Conservation Reserve are not affected.

)
Community Reserves can be declared by the State Government in any private or community

om
land, not comprised within a National Park, Sanctuary or a Conservation Reserve, where an

l.c
ai
individual or a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat. Community
Reserves are declared for the purpose of protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural gm
@
ss

conservation values and practices. As in the case of a Conservation Reserve, the rights of
j
rl.
gi

people living inside a Community Reserve are not affected.

m
ea

Regulations/ laws relating to Protected Areas (PAs):

dr
h(
ng

The PAs are constituted and governed under the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
Si

1972, which has been amended from time to time, with the changing ground realities
na

concerning wildlife crime control and PAs management. Implementation of this Act is further
ts
yo

complemented by other Acts viz. Indian Forest Act, 1927, Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980,
rJ
fo

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the Scheduled Tribes
de

and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. The Wildlife
is
al

Crime Control Bureau of the Central Government supplements the efforts of provincial
on
rs

governments in wildlife crime control through enforcement of CITES and control of wildlife
pe

crimes having cross-border, inter- state and international ramifications. In order to strengthen
s
ti

and synergise global wildlife conservation efforts, India is a party to major international
en
m

conventions viz. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna

cu

and flora (CITES), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International
do
is

Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, UNESCO-World Heritage Committee and Convention
Th

on Migratory Species (CMS).

Main issues concerning the management of Protected Areas: Wildlife conservation and
management in India is currently facing a myriad of complex challenges that are both
ecological and social in nature. Issues such as habitat loss/fragmentation, overuse of
biomass resources in the context of biotic pressures, increasing human-wildlife conflicts,
livelihood dependence on forests and wildlife resources, poaching and illegal trade in wildlife

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
8 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

parts and products, need for maintaining a broad base of public support for wildlife
conservation exemplify and characterize the contemporary wildlife conservation scenario in
India. The government and the civil society are taking several measures to address these
issues. Improved synergies and better coordination amongst the wide array of stakeholders are
needed to meet the challenges of conserving India’s diverse wilderness resources.

10] Biosphere Reserves

The origin of Biosphere Reserves goes back to the "Biosphere Conference" organized by
UNESCO in 1968. A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial
and coastal areas which are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO’s
Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Collectively, biosphere reserves form a world network:
the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
10.1 Functions of biosphere reserve
Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil 3 basic functions, which are complementary and
mutually reinforcing:
1. conservation function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems,
species and genetic variation;
2. development function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-
culturally and ecologically sustainable;

)
om
3. logistic function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and

l.c
ai
information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and
gm
development. @
ss

10.2 Structure and Design of Biosphere Reserves

j
rl.
gi
m

In order to undertake complementary activities of biodiversity conservation and development

ea
dr

of sustainable management aspects, Biosphere Reserves are demarcated into three inter-
h(

related zones. These are (I) natural or core zone (ii) manipulation or buffer zone and (iii) a
ng
Si

transition zone outside the buffer zone.

na
ts

The Core Zone: The core zone is kept absolutely undisturbed. Only the core area requires legal
yo
rJ

protection and hence can correspond to an existing protected area such as a nature reserve or
fo

a national park. It must contain suitable habitat for numerous plant and animal species,
d
e

including higher order predators and may contain centres of endemism. Core areas often
is
al

conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic
on
rs

reservoirs. Management and research activities that do not affect natural processes and wildlife
pe

are allowed inside core zone.

s
ti
en

The Buffer Zone: In the Buffer Zone, which adjoins or surrounds core zone, uses and activities
m
cu

are managed in ways that protect the core zone. These uses and activities include restoration,
do

demonstration sites for enhancing value addition to the resources, limited recreation, tourism,
is
Th

fishing and grazing, which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone. Research and
educational activities are to be encouraged. Human activities, if natural within Biosphere
Reseve, are likely to be permitted to continue if these do not adversely affect the ecological
diversity.
The Transition Zone: The Transition Zone is the outermost part of a Biosphere Reserve. This is
usually not delimited one and is a zone of cooperation where conservation, knowledge and

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
9 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the
Biosphere Reserve. This includes settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for
intensive recreation, and other economic uses characteristic of the region.
10.3 Difference between Biosphere reserve and Protect Area(National Park,
Sanctuary etc.)
Biosphere reserve and Protected Areas are complementary concepts. However, the Biosphere
Reserves differ from protected areas due to their emphasis on Conservation of overall
biodiversity and landscape (rather than some specific flagship species) to allow natural and
evolutionary processes to continue without any hindrance, and enhancement of local people’s
participation and their Training.
10.4 Difference between Biosphere reserve and a natural World Heritage site?
UNESCO designates Natural World Heritage sites status to natural sites having outstanding
universal value in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972). Efforts to enhance local development and to promote
scientific understanding are means to ensure the protection of the natural World Heritage
values.
In some instances, a core area of a biosphere reserve can meet World Heritage criteria: the
usually larger biosphere reserve can therefore serve as a complementary means to protect the
integrity of the World Heritage site.

)
om
10.5 Benefits of biosphere reserves

l.c
ai
gm
The designation of a site as a biosphere reserve can raise awareness among local people,
@
citizens and government authorities on environmental and development issues. It can help to
ss

attract additional funding from different sources. At the national level, biosphere reserves can
j
rl.
gi

serve as pilot sites or ‘learning places’ to explore and demonstrate approaches to conservation
m
ea

and sustainable development, providing lessons which can be applied elsewhere. In addition,
dr

they are a concrete means for countries to implement Agenda 21, the Convention on Biological
h(
ng

Diversity (for example the Ecosystem Approach), many Millennium Development Goals (for
Si

example on environmental sustainability), and the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable

na
ts

Development. In the case of large natural areas which straddle national boundaries, trans
yo
rJ

boundary biosphere reserves can be established jointly by the countries concerned, testifying
fo

to long-term cooperative efforts.

d
e
is

There are eighteen biosphere reserves in India. Nine of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a
al
on

part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the
rs
pe

Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.

s
ti
en

Ye UNESCO Name Location States Type Key Fauna

m

ar Recogni
cu
do

tion in
is
Th

19 2000 Nilgiri Part of Waynad, Nagarhole, Tamil Wester Nilgiri Tahr,

86 Biosphere Bandipur and Mudumalai, Nadu, n Ghats Lion-tailed
Reserve Nilambur, Silent Valley and Kerala macaque
Anaimalai Hills and
Karnata
ka

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
10 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

19 2001 Nanda Parts of Chamoli District, Uttarak Wester

88 Devi Pithoragarh District & hand n
National Bageshwar District Himala
Park & yas
Biosphere
Reserve
19 2009 Nokrek Part of Garo Hills Meghal East Red Panda
88 aya Himala
yas
19 2001 Gulf of Indian part of Gulf of Tamil Coasts Dugong or
89 Mannar Mannar extending from Nadu Sea Cow
Rameswaram island in the
North to Kanyakumari in the
South of Tamil Nadu and Sri
Lanka
19 2001 Sundarban Part of delta of Ganges and West Gangeti Royal
89 s Barahamaputra river system Bengal c Delta Bengal
Tiger
19 Manas Part of Kokrajhar, Assam East Golden
89 Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Himalay Langur, Red

)
om
Nalbari, Kamrup and as Panda

l.c
Darrang Districts

ai
gm
@
19 2013 Great Southern most islands of Andama Islands Saltwater
ss

89 Nicobar Andaman and Nicobar n and Crocodile

j
rl.
gi

Biosphere Islands Nicobar

m
ea

Reserve Islands
dr
h(

19 2008 Simlipal Part of Mayurbhanj district Odisha Deccan Gaur, Royal

ng
Si

94 Peninsu Bengal
na

la Tiger, Wild
ts
yo

elephant
rJ
fo

19 Dibru- Part of Dibrugarh and Assam East Golden

d
e

97 Saikhowa Tinsukia districts Himalay Langur

is
al

as
on
rs
pe

19 Dihang- Part of Siang and Dibang Arunach Eastern

s

98 Dibang Valley al Himalay

ti
en

Pradesh a
m
cu
do

19 2009 Pachmarhi Parts of Betul District, Madhya Semi- Giant

is

99 Biosphere Hoshangabad District and Pradesh Arid Squirrel,

Th

Reserve Chhindwara District Flying

Squirrel
20 Khangchen Parts of Kanchanjunga Hills Sikkim East Snow
00 dzonga Himalay Leopard,
as Red Panda

Rajinder Nagar: 1/8-B, 2nd Floor, Apsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
Mukherjee Nagar: 103, 1st Floor, B/1-2, Ansal Building, Behind UCO Bank, Delhi-9
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
11 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS
 Student Notes:

20 Agasthyam Neyyar, Peppara and Kerala, Wester Nilgiri Tahr,

01 alai Shenduruny Wildlife Tamil n ghats Elephants
Biosphere Sanctuary and their Nadu
Reserve adjoining areas
20 2012 Achanaka Part of Annupur, Dindori Madhya Maikala
05 mar - and Bilaspur districts Pradesh Hills
Amarkanta ,
k Chhattis
garh
20 Great Rann Part of Kutch, Rajkot, Gujarat Desert Indian Wild
08 of Kutch Surendranagar and Patan Ass
Districts
20 Cold Desert Pin Valley National Park and Himacha Wester Snow
09 surroundings; Chandratal l n Leopard
and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Pradesh Himalay
Sancturary as
20 Seshachala Seshachalam Hill Ranges Andhra Eastern
10 m Hills covering parts of Chittoor Pradesh Ghats
and Kadapa districts

)
20 Panna Part of Panna and Madhya catchm Tiger,

om
l.c
11 Chattarpur Districts Pradesh ent Chital,

ai
area of Chinkara,
gm
@
the Ken Sambhar
ss

River and Sloth

j
rl.
gi

bear
m
ea
dr
h(
ng

11] UPSC Questions Covered

Si
na

1. Discuss the wetlands and their role in ecological conservation in India. (UPSC 2009/15
ts
yo

Marks)
rJ

2. Mention the area of Shola forests in India. (UPSC 2003/2 Marks)

fo
d

3. What are mangroves and in what way are they useful to us? (UPSC 2001/10 Marks)
e
is
al

4. What is waste land? Write a note on prospects of waste land development in India.
on

(UPSC 2000/10 Marks)

rs
pe

5. Which parts of India have been identified as draught-prone? Mention the norms for
s
ti

such identification. (UPSC 1998/15 Marks)

en
m

6. Why has there been opposition from the North-Eastern States to the Supreme Court
cu

ban on all activities inside forests? (UPSC 1997/10 Marks)

do

7. Where do mangrove forests occur in India? Describe their main characteristics. (UPSC
is
Th

1996/15 Marks)
8. Which parts of India are described as ‘arid zones’? Comment on the characteristics and
economic activities prevalent in these regions? (UPSC 1993/15 Marks)
9. Where do we find large desert areas in India? What steps have been taken by the
Government for their development? (UPSC 1985/20 Marks)
10. Which is the largest expanse of tidal forests in India and in which State is it located?
(UPSC 1981/3 Marks)
nd
Rajinder
CopyrightNagar: Vision2IASFloor, stApsara Arcade, Near Gate 6, Karol Bagh Metro, Delhi
© by1/8-B,
Mukherjee
All rights Nagar:No
are reserved. 103, 1 Floor,
part of thisB/1-2, Ansal may
document Building, Behind UCOstored
be reproduced, Bank, Delhi-9
in a retrieval
09650617807, 09968029039, 09717162595
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
12 or otherwise, without prior
recording www.visionias.in
permission of Vision IAS ©Vision IAS