Ownership

Typically community or locally owned and managed, fostering a sense of local stewardship.

Owned and managed by the government or recognized conservation organizations, often involving expert-led initiatives.

Management Approach

Community-driven; emphasizes local participation in decision-making and implementation, integrating traditional knowledge.

Government-led or managed by professional conservation organizations, with strategies based on scientific principles.

Objective

Aims at sustainable use of natural resources, incorporating the socio-economic needs of local communities alongside environmental conservation.

Primarily focused on biodiversity conservation, habitat preservation, and ecological restoration, with limited human intervention.

Biodiversity Focus

Balances conservation with sustainable utilization, recognizing the interdependence of local communities and biodiversity.

Primarily focused on protecting and conserving biodiversity, often implementing strict regulations to minimize human impact.

Decision-Making

Involves local communities in decision-making processes, considering traditional ecological knowledge and community aspirations.

Decisions are typically made by government agencies or conservation experts, often guided by scientific assessments.

Livelihoods

May involve sustainable livelihood initiatives for local communities, such as eco-tourism, non-timber forest products, or community-based enterprises.

Generally, livelihood activities are restricted to minimize human impact on the reserve, with a stronger emphasis on ecological integrity.

Flexibility

More adaptable to changing local needs and priorities, allowing for dynamic management strategies.

Management may follow a more rigid framework based on conservation principles, with less flexibility in accommodating local variations.

Scale

Can vary in size, often smaller and tailored to specific community needs and landscape characteristics.

Can be larger in scale, covering extensive areas and ecosystems, aiming for broader biodiversity protection and connectivity.

Examples

Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.

Mudumalai Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu.

Policy Framework

May be governed by both local customs and national policies, often encouraging participatory approaches in conservation.

Governed by national or state-level conservation policies and frameworks, ensuring adherence to standardized conservation practices.

Sustainability

Focuses on the sustainable coexistence of communities and nature, promoting long-term ecological and socio-economic sustainability.

Emphasizes the sustainable preservation of natural habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions, ensuring minimal human disturbance.

Monitoring and Research

Involves community-based monitoring and local ecological research, integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods.

Typically involves systematic scientific monitoring, research, and periodic assessments conducted by conservation experts and government agencies.

Connectivity

Designated as buffer zones, connectors, and migration corridors between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserved/protected forests.

Serve as buffer zones and connectors between established conservation areas, maintaining ecological connectivity for wildlife migration.

Legislation and Origin

Introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, with legal backing provided by amendments in 2003.

Evolved from amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, providing legal recognition to community-initiated efforts in wildlife protection.

IUCN Correspondence

Roughly corresponds to IUCN Category V (conservation reserves) and VI (community reserves) protected areas.

Aligns with IUCN Category V (protected landscape/seascape) for conservation reserves and Category VI (managed resource protected area) for community reserves.

Definition

A protected area for animals and birds, free from poaching or trafficking.

Large areas protecting and conserving biodiversity, may include national parks and sanctuaries.

Preserving "wild nature" for future generations, a source of national pride.

Establishment

State Government notification, NBWL approval for boundary changes.

Designated by State or Central Government through UNESCO's MAB programme.

State Government notification, consultation with NBWL for boundary changes.

Characteristics

Managed by state government or relevant agencies; protects wildlife; constitutional property.

Core zones protect endangered species; diverse ecosystems; strict protection.

Protects natural ecosystems, scenery, historical artifacts; no human intervention; clearly defined boundaries.

Protection Category

IUCN Category 4.

IUCN Protected Areas Category II.

IUCN Category 2.

Biodiversity Protection

High priority with some level of protection.

High priority with focus on sustainable use of resources.

High priority with strict protection.

Objective

Conserve endangered species and their habitats.

Preserve genetic diversity, promote sustainable development, support local communities.

Protect wildlife, flora, fauna, and historical significance.

Zonation

No specific zoning.

Core, buffer, and transition zones.

No specific zoning.

Human Activities

Limited to regulated tourism, some traditional forest use, and grazing.

Sustainable development in transition zone; limited rights for residents.

Restricted to scientific research, regulated tourism, and strictly monitored activities.

Legal Status/Regulated by

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, regulates core zones.

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Permission Requirement

Not required.

Permission for specific core areas.

Permission required.

Numbers (as of January 2023)

567 Wildlife Sanctuaries.

18 Biosphere Reserves.

106 National Parks.

Examples

Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Palamau WLS, etc.

Gulf of Mannar, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, etc.

Papikonda National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa NP, etc.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements:

1.Wildlife Sanctuaries are primarily established to protect and conserve endangered wildlife species, and their establishment involves a State Government notification and approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) for boundary changes.

2.Biosphere Reserves, designated by the State or Central Government through UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, focus on preserving genetic diversity, promoting sustainable development, and providing support to local communities. The core zones within these reserves offer strict protection for endangered species and their habitats.

3.National Parks, established by State Government notification with consultation from NBWL for boundary changes, aim to protect wildlife, flora, fauna, and historical significance. They are characterized by restricted human activities, including scientific research, regulated tourism, and strictly monitored activities.

Which of the statements above is/are correct?

A) Only 1
B) 2 and 3 only
C) Only 3
D) All of the above

Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Wildlife Sanctuaries:

• • Wildlife Sanctuaries are indeed established to protect and conserve endangered wildlife species.
  • The establishment involves a State Government notification.
  • While Wildlife Sanctuaries have some level of protection, there is no specific requirement for NBWL approval for boundary changes. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Biosphere Reserves:

• • Biosphere Reserves are designated by the State or Central Government through UNESCO's MAB programme.
  • They focus on preserving genetic diversity, promoting sustainable development, and providing support to local communities.
  • The core zones within Biosphere Reserves offer strict protection for endangered species and their habitats.
  • Statement 2 accurately represents the characteristics and objectives of Biosphere Reserves, making it correct.
• National Parks:
• • National Parks are indeed established by State Government notification.
  • The consultation with NBWL for boundary changes is accurate.
  • National Parks aim to protect wildlife, flora, fauna, and historical significance.
  • They are characterized by restricted human activities, including scientific research, regulated tourism, and strictly monitored activities.
  • Therefore, Statement 3 is correct.