Syllabus- Bio-diversity: Bio diversity and its conservation, Types of Bio diversity, threat to Bio diversity.
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day-
1.What is Biosphere Reserve and Mention the criteria for the designation of Biosphere Reserves?
Introduction:
Write briefly about Biosphere Reserves
Body:
Mention the structure of Biosphere Reserves and criteria for designation of Biosphere Reserves.
Conclusion:
Biosphere Reserves has following functions such as:
· Conservation
· Development
· Logistic support
Therefore, conservation with development is the goal of the biosphere reserves.
Content:
Biosphere Reserves:
· Large areas of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area.
· May have one or more national parks or wildlife sanctuaries in it.
· There are 18 Biosphere reserves in India.
· It is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination of both.
· These are designated to deal with the following questions such as:
Ø Reconciling the conservation of biodiversity
Ø The quest for economic and social development and
Ø Maintenance of associated cultural values.
· These are thus special environments for both people and the nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs.
Structure of Biosphere Reserves:
Biosphere reserves are demarcated into following 3 inter-related zones:
· Core Zone:
Ø Comprises a strictly protected ecosystem for conserving ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
Ø In core or natural zone human activity is not allowed.
Ø Core zone must contain suitable habitat for numerous plant and animal species, including higher order predators and may contain endemic plants and animals.
Ø A core zone being National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Ø The core zone is to be kept free from human pressures and external disturbance of the system.
· Buffer Zone:
Ø Used for scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
Ø The buffer zone, adjoins or surrounds core zone, uses and activities are managed in this area in the ways that help in protection of core zone in its natural condition.
Ø These uses and activities include restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition to the resources, limited recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing, etc.; which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone.
Ø Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.
Ø Human activities, are likely to continue if that do not adversely affect the ecological diversity.
· Transition Zone:
Ø Ecologically sustainable human settlements and economic activities (tourism) are permitted.
Ø With the cooperation of reserve management and local people, several human activities like settlements, cropping, recreation, and forestry are carried out without disturbing the environment.
Ø The transition area is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve.
Ø This is usually not delimited one.
Ø It is a zone of cooperation where conservation knowledge and management skills are applied.
Criteria for designation of Biosphere Reserves:
· A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation.
· Core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a viable population representing all trophic levels.
· The management authority to ensure the involvement/cooperation of local communities to bring variety of knowledge and experiences to link biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development while managing and containing the conflicts.
· Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural living population for harmonious use of environment.
2.On the occasion of Global Tiger Day, Ministry pf Environment has announced Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS) accreditation for 14 out of India’s 51 tiger reserves. In this context, mention the significance of Tiger Conservation and Tiger Conservation Projects in India:
Introduction:
Write briefly about Indian tiger population according to the tiger census. Write in brief about the
Body:
Mention the significance of Tiger conservation and Tiger conservation Projects in India.
Conclusion:
Tiger conservation leads to conservation of other species.
Write the way forward
Content:
Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger:
· It is the tiger species native to India.
· The largest populations of Bengal tigers are in India, but there are some smaller groups in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. It may also be present in areas of China and Burma.
· India is home to about 70 per cent of global tiger population.
· Distribution of Tiger population in India:
Ø Madhya Pradesh has the maximum number of tigers followed by Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
Ø Largest contiguous tiger population was found in the Western Ghats.
Ø Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand has highest tiger density in the world.
· They are important for conservation and tiger conservation leads to conservation of other species.
Status-
§ India is home to over 70% of the tiger population globally.
§ India is home to 51 tiger reserves spread across 18 states and the last tiger census of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger population.
§ India achieved the target of doubling the tiger population four years ahead of schedule (2022) of the St. Petersburg Declaration on tiger conservation.
§ India’s strategy of tiger conservation attaches topmost importance to involving local communities.
CATS: –
Ø CATS are globally accepted conservation tool that sets best practices and standards to manage tigers and assessments to benchmark progress.
Ø Tigers are the first species selected for the initiative launched in 2013.
Ø Global Tiger Forum and WWF India are implementing partners of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for CATS assessment in India.
Ø It is being adopted for use beyond tigers, including potentially jaguars, lions and freshwater dolphins.
Significance of Tiger Conservation:
§ Tiger conservation is a symbol of conservation of forests.
§ The tiger is a unique animal which plays an important role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem.
§ It is a top predator which is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild ungulates (primarily large mammals) in check.
§ Thus, Tiger helps in maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed.
§ Therefore, Tiger Conservation is not just about saving an animal but also making sure that we live a little longer as the forests are known to provide ecological services like clean air, water, pollination, temperature regulation etc.
§ Further, the significance of Tiger conservation can be reflected by the Status of Leopards, Co-predators and Megaherbivores.
§ According to the report, the overall leopard population in the tiger range landscape of India in 2018 was estimated at 12,852. This is a significant increase from the 2014.
§ The report is a proof that conservation of tigers leads to the conservation of the entire ecosystem.
Tiger Conservation Projects in India:
§ Project Tiger 1973:
Ø Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 1973.
Ø It provides havens for tigers in the country’s national parks.
Ø The Project Tiger, M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status), declared tiger as the National Animal of India.
§ National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
It is a statutory body established in 2005 following the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force.
· Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) led by Tigers inhabit 13 countries in 2010, pledged to double the number of tigers by 2022 under Petersburg Declaration. India already achieved the target of doubling the count.
Prelims Questions of the day:
1.Which of the following represent the in-situ Biodiversity Conservation?
A. National Parks
B. Botanical Gardens
C. Zoological Parks
D. Seed Banks
Answer: A
Explanation:
In situ Biodiversity Conservation:
· In-situ conservation is the on-site conservation of genetic resources in natural populations of plant or animal species.
· In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves are national parks, sanctuaries, reserved forests, protected forests and nature reserves.
· India now has 18 biosphere reserves, 104 national parks and 500 wildlife sanctuaries.
· Plantation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting and poaching are prohibited in biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.
2.Which of the following in-situ conservation has the highest degree of protection?
A. Wildlife Sanctuaries
B. National Parks
C. Protected Areas
D. Reserved Forests
Answer: B
Explanation:
In situ Biodiversity Conservation:
· In-situ conservation is the on-site conservation of genetic resources in natural populations of plant or animal species.
· In India, ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich regions are legally protected as biosphere reserves are National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserved Forests, Protected Forests and Natural Reserves.
· India now has 18 biosphere reserves, 104 national parks and 500 wildlife sanctuaries.
· Plantation, cultivation, grazing, felling trees, hunting and poaching are prohibited in biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.
· The order of protection of in-situ conservation is National Parks>wildlife sanctuaries>Reserved Forests>Protected Forests.
3.Which of the following term represents the land within 10km boundary around the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries declared as eco-fragile zones under Environment Protection Act 1986?
A. Biosphere Reserves
B. Protected Reserves
C. Eco-sensitive Zones
D. Community Forest
Answer: C
Explanation:
Eco-Sensitive Zones
· The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016) of MoEFCC stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or ESZs under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
· The purpose of the ESZ was to provide more protection to the parks by acting as a shock absorber or transition zone.
· Eco-Sensitive Zones would minimise forest depletion and man-animal conflict.
· The protected areas are based on the core and buffer model of management.
· The core area has the legal status of being a national park.
· The buffer area, however, does not have legal status of being a national park and could be a reserved forest, wildlife sanctuary or tiger reserve.
4.Which of the following body is served as an apex body to approve the projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries?
A. National Board for Wildlife
B. Central Zoo Authority
C. National Tiger Conservation Authority
D. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
Answer: A
Explanation:
· National Board for Wildlife (NBWL): As per the act, the central government of India shall constitute the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
· It serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
· The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
· The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the Vice-Chairperson of the board.
· The board is ‘advisory’ in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.
5.Which of the following zone is not related to Biosphere Reserves?
A. Core area
B. Buffer zone
C. Transition area
D. Eco-Sensitive Zone
Answer: D
Explanation:
Biosphere Reserve
· Large areas of protected land for conservation of wildlife, plant and animal resources and traditional life of the tribals living in the area.
· May have one or more national parks or wildlife sanctuaries in it.
· Core area:
Ø Comprises a strictly protected ecosystem for conserving ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
Ø In core or natural zone human activity is not allowed.
· Buffer zone
Used for scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
· Transition area
Ø Ecologically sustainable human settlements and economic activities (tourism) are permitted.
Ø With the cooperation of reserve management and local people, several human activities like settlements, cropping, recreation, and forestry are carried out without disturbing the environment
6.Which of the following Biosphere Reserve contains the Lion-tailed macaque?
A. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
B. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
C. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
D. Manas Biosphere Reserve
Answer: A
Explanation
Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), a primate endemic to small and severely fragmented rainforests of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, continues to be in the ‘endangered’ category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
7. Which of the following is the most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life?
A. Biosphere Reserves
B. Botanical Gardens
C. National Parks
D. Wildlife Sanctuaries
Answer: A
Explanation:
· Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination of both.
· Biosphere Reserves tries to balance economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.
· Biosphere Reserves are thus special environments for both people and nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs.
8.Which of the following represents patches of forest are dedicated to local folk deities?
A. Botanical gardens
B. Trees in Biosphere Reserves
C. Sacred Groves
D. Trees in National Parks
Answer: C
Explanation:
· The Sacred Groves comprises of patches of forest or natural vegetation- from a few trees to forests of several acres-that are usually dedicated to local folk deities.
· The sacred groves are important repositories of flora and fauna diversity that have conserved by local communities in a sustainable manner.
9.Which of the following ex-situ conservation is used for study the taxonomy as well as growth of plants?
A. Zoological parks
B. Botanical gardens
C. Wildlife Safari Parks
D. Seed Banks
Answer: B
Explanation:
Botanical garden
· Botanical garden refers to the scientifically planned collection of living trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers and other plants from various parts of the globe.
· To study the taxonomy as well as growth of plants.
· To study the introduction and acclimatization process of exotic plants.
· It augments conserving rare and threatened species.
10.Which of the following agency is for combating organized wildlife crimes in our country?
A. National Tiger Conservation Authority
B. National Board for Wildlife
C. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
D. Central zoo Authority
Answer: C
Explanation:
· Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): The act provided for the constitution of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.
· The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi.
· It is mandated to:
Ø Collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to the State to apprehend the criminals.
Ø Establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.
Ø Assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes.
Ø Advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.