BIOSPHERE RESERVES

BIOSPHERE RESERVES

“Going beyond India’s National parks and Wildlife sanctuaries”

§  Introduction :

a.    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.

b.    Biosphere Reserves tries to balance economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.

c.    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. 

    §  Criteria for Designation of Biosphere Reserve :

a.    A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation.

b.    Core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a viable populations representing all trophic levels.

c.    The involvement of local communities and use of their knowledge in biodiversity preservation.

d.    Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of the environment.

    §  Structure of Biosphere Reserve :

a.    Core Areas:

(1)  It is the most protected area of a biosphere reserve. It may contain endemic plants and animals.

(2)  They conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest.

(3)  A core zone is a protected region, like a National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is kept free from human interference.

 

b.    Buffer Zone:

(1)  The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and its activities are managed in this area in the ways that help in the protection of the core zone in its natural condition.

(2)  It includes restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc.; which are permitted to reduce its effect on the core zone.

(3)  Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.

 

c.    Transition Zone:

(1)  It is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is the zone of cooperation where human ventures and conservation are done in harmony.

(2)  It includes settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

 

Fig. Three zones that characterise a Biosphere Reserve

 

  §  Functions of Biosphere Reserves: 

     a.    Conservation:

(1)  Managing Biosphere Reserve’s genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems, and landscapes.

(2)  It may prevent man-animal conflict e.g. death of tiger “Avni” who was shot dead when she turned man-eater

(3)  Along with the wildlife, culture and customs of tribal are also protected

 

b.    Development:

(1)  Promoting economic and human growth that is sustainable on a sociocultural and ecological level. It seeks to strengthen the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and protection of the environment.

 

c.    Logistic support:

(1)  Promoting research activities, environmental education, training and monitoring in the context of local, national and international conservation and sustainable development.

 

       §  International Status of Biosphere Reserves:

A.   The UNESCO has introduced the designation ‘Biosphere Reserve’ for natural areas to minimize conflict between development and conservation. Biosphere Reserves are nominated by national government which meets a minimal set of criteria under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program of UNESCO. Globally, there are 686 biosphere reserves in 122 countries, including 20 trans-boundary sites.

B.   Man and Biosphere Programme: 

(a)  Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

 (b)   MAB combines natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.

   C.   There are total 11 biosphere reserves of India which have been             recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere Reserve program:

1.    Nilgiri

2.    Gulf of Mannar

3.    Sunderban

4.    Nanda Devi

5.    Nokrek

6.    Panchmani

7.    Similipal

8.    Achanakmar – Amarkantak

9.    Great Nicobar

10. Agasthayamala

11.  Khangchendzonga (added under Man and Biosphere Reserve program in 2018)

   §  Biosphere Conservation :

      I.  A scheme called Biosphere Reserve is being implemented by the Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states and in the ratio of 60:40 to other states for maintenance, improvement, and development of certain items.

     II.        The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan which is approved and monitored by the Central MAB Committee.

  

     §  In India we have 18 Biosphere Reserves and    exploring              them go beyond just exploring the National Parks they host.

    1)    Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu,       Kerala    and                      Karnataka, 1986

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, an International Biosphere Reserve as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Key faunas are Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to national parks such as Aralam, Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Silent Valley, and wildlife sanctuaries such as Wayanad and Sathyamangalam.

 

Fig. Lion-Tailed Macaque in Anamalai

 

2.) Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Meghalaya, 1988

Home to the Nokrek National Park, Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is an important biodiversity hotspot. Nokrek is one of the last remaining homes of the elusive red panda; a safe habitat for the rare stump-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque and hoolock gibbons. It doesn't come as a surprise that Nokrek is also an Important Bird Area.

 

Fig. Stump-tailed macaque in Nokrek, Meghalaya

3.) Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand, 1988

The second highest mountain in India, Nanda Devi is also the 23rd highest peak in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nanda Devi is also an important religious site.

 

Fig. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), Uttarakhand

 

4.) Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 1989

The biosphere reserve is where many endemic plants and animals thrive. It is a protected area for the saltwater crocodile, giant leatherback sea turtle, Malayan box turtle, Nicobar tree shrew, to name a few. The reserve also encompasses important territories and traditional lands of the indigenous Nicobarese and Shompen tribes.

 

Fig. Malayan box turtle

5.) Manas Biosphere Reserve in Assam, 1989

Manas Biosphere Reserve is home to Manas National Park, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Project Tiger and an elephant reserve. But this is just the tip of an iceberg. It is a protected area for the rare and endangered Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, pygmy hog and wild water buffalo.

 

Fig. Assam roofed turtle (Sylhet roofed turtle)

 

6.) Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu, 1989

Do you know about the dugong or sea cow? The Gulf of Mannar is where you will find these gentle underwater giants. Home to thousands of species of flora and fauna, dugongs being one of them. The reserve is rich in marine life, visit this for sharks and dolphins too.

 

Fig. Dugong or Sea Cow, Gulf of Mannar

6.) Sundarban Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal, 1989

A national park and also a tiger reserve, Sundarban biosphere reserve in West Bengal is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve is one of the most important homes for the royal Bengal tiger and saltwater crocodile. Sundarban Biosphere Reserve didn't just stop there, it went ahead and became a Ramsar site too.

 

 

Fig. Breathing root in Sunderban, West Bengal

7.) Simlipal Biosphere Reserve in Odisha, 1994

An important elephant reserve, Simlipal Biosphere Reserve encompasses the Simlipal National Park, Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. Visit this reserve to look at the famous gaur, also known as the Indian bison, royal Bengal tiger and wild elephants.

 

Fig. Wild Elephant in Simlipal BR

8.) Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve in Assam, 1997

Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve is an important habitat for the golden langur, the rare white-winged wood duck, water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, capped langur and the royal Bengal tiger.

 

Fig. Golden Langoor

 

9.) Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, 1998

The Mouling National Park and the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary are both a part of Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve. The natural vegetation of this area is what makes this so special, a continuous chain of tropical to mountain tundra forest. Wildlife enthusiats love this area for its rare mammals like the Mishmi takin, red goral, musk deer, red panda, Asiatic black bear, Gongshan muntjac, Mechuka giant flying squirrel and Mishmi giant flying squirrel. Birders will love the rare Scalter's monal and Blyth's tragopan.

 

Fig. Mishmi-takin

10.) Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, 1999

The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve consists of Satpura National Park, Bori Sanctuary and Pachmarhi Sanctuary. Consisting mainly of forest habitats, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is home to the endemic fauna like the chinkara, nilgai, wild dogs, the Indian wolf, bison, Indian giant squirrels, and flying squirrels.

 

Fig. Amazing view of Pachmarhi BR at the middle of India

 

11.) Kanchengdzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim, 2000

Also a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kanchengdzonga Biosphere Reserve is home to Lepcha tribal communities. The reserve's buffer zone consists of Tholung Monastery, one of the most important and sacred monasteries in sikkim. The reserve is a protected home to the elusive snow leopard, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, Asiatic wild dog, sloth bear, civet, Himalayan black bear, red panda, Tibetan wild ass, Himalayan blue sheep, serow, goral and takin.

 

Fig. Amazing view of Kanchengdzonga in Sikkim

11.) Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, 2001

The reserve has made it to UNESCO's list for its 2000 types of medicinal plants, rare and endangered ones included. It is also home to the the Kanikaran tribe, one of the world's oldest surviving tribes.

 

Fig. View of Agasthyamalai Hill

 

11.) Achanakamar -Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, 2005

The region is home to more than 105 species of medicinal plants, out of which 25 are pretty rare.

 

Fig. Achanakamar -Amarkantak Hill

11.) Kutch Biosphere Reserve in Gujarat, 2008

The region mainly comprises of Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch, covering the Kutch Desert Sanctuary in Great Rann of Kutch and Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann if Kutch. It is an important habitat for the Near Threatened Indian wild ass.

 

Fig. Indian Wild Ass 

12.) Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh, 2009

Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve includes Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, Sarchu and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also an important habitat of the rare snow leopard.

 

Fig. Amazing view of Pin Valley National Park in Spiti

13.) Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, 2010

Seshachalam comprises of Sri Venkateswara National Park and Idupulapaya. The region is popular with birders. The globally threatened yellow-throated bulbul can be seen here. About 178 species of birds are found here out of which pompadour green pigeon and oriental white-backed vulture are some of the most sought after ones. Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Indian Scimitar-Babbler and Loten's Sunbird, to name some more.

 

Fig. Yellow throated Bulbul

14.) Panna Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, 2011

Panna National Park and Ken Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary constitute this biosphere reserve. The reserve is home to the royal Bengal tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, nilgai, sambhar and sloth bear. More than 200 species of birds make this reserve a special place for birders.

 

Fig. Royal Bengal Tiger

 

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Jharkhand Samanya Gyan ( झारखण्ड राज्य का सामान्य परिचय )

                  Jharkhand Samanya Gyan 

झारखंड राज्य भारत देश  का  28 वां राज्य है । इसकी राजधानी रांची है इसकी सीमाएं 5 राज्यों को स्पर्श करती है उत्तर में बिहार , दक्षिण में उड़ीसा ,पूर्व में पश्चिम बंगाल और पश्चिम में उत्तर प्रदेश एवं छत्तीसगढ़ हैं, बिहार राज्य से अलग करके बनाया गया है । 

                                      

इसकी स्थापन -                                15  नवंबर 2000  

राजधानी -                                        रांची 

उपराजधानी -                                   दुमका 

औद्योगिक राजधानी -                       जमशेदपुर

झारखण्ड का उच्च न्यायलय -           रांची 

भूगौलिक स्थिति -                             भारत का उत्तरी-पूर्वी भाग 

आकृति -                                           चतुर्भुजाकार 

क्षेत्रफल -                                          79.714 वर्ग किलोमीटर 

आकांशीय विस्तार -                          21°58'10" से 25°18' उत्तरी आक्षांश 

देशांतरीय विस्तार -                           83°19'50" से 87°57' पूर्वी देशांतर 

पूर्व से पश्चिम  की लम्बाई -                 380 कि0 मी 0 

उतर से दक्षिण की लम्बाई -               463 कि0 मी 0 

भारत के कुल क्षेत्रफल का प्रतिशत -  2. 42 %

ग्रामीण क्षेत्रफल -                               77,922 वर्ग किलोमीटर

शहरी क्षेत्रफल -                                 1,792 वर्ग किलोमीटर

जिलों की संख्या -                              24 

झारखण्ड राज्य  निर्माण के  समय जिलों की संख्या -   18 

झारखंड निर्माण के  बाद नये जिलों की संख्या -             6 

1 -लातेहार  (4 अप्रैल 2001 )

2 जामताड़ा (26 अप्रैल 2001 )

3 -सिमडेगा (30 अप्रैल 2001 )

4 -सरायकेला खरसावां (30 अप्रैल 2001 )

5 खूटी -   (12 सितम्बर 2007 )

6 रामगढ़ -(12 सितम्बर  2007 )

प्रमंडल संख्या -                                                         5 

नवनिर्मित प्रमंडल -                                                   कोल्हान 

झारखण्ड राज्य  निर्माण के  समय अनुमंडल  की संख्या -43 

अनुमंडल की संख्या -                                                45

क्षेत्रफल की दृस्टि से सबसे बड़ा प्रमंडल -           उत्तरी छोटानागपुर 

क्षेत्रफल की दृस्टि से सबसे छोटा  प्रमंडल-          पलामू 

प्रखण्डों की संख्या -                           264 

पंचायतो की संख्या -                           4402 

जिला परिषदों संख्या -                        24 

नगरपरिषदों की संख्या -                     9 

राजकीय पशु -                                    हाथी 

राजकीय पुष्प  -                                  पलाश 

राजकीय वृक्ष -                                   साल 

राजकीय पक्षी -                                  कोयल 

विधान सभा

विधान सभा दिवस -                                                 22 नवम्बर 

राज्य की विधायिका -                                               एक सदनीय है 

विधान सभा के  निर्वाचित सदस्यों की संख्या-            81 

विधान सभा के मनोनीत सदस्यों की संख्या -               1 

विधान सभा में अनुसुचित जनजाति आरक्षित  सीटों  की संख्या- 28 

विधान सभा में अनुसुचित जाति आरक्षित  सीटों  की संख्या -      9 

लोक सभा 

लोक  सभा के सदस्यों की संख्या-                                                 14 

लोक सभा में अनुसुचित जनजाति आरक्षित सीटों  की संख्या-       5 

लोक सभा में अनुसुचित जाति आरक्षित  सीटों  की संख्या-            1

सबसे बड़ा संसदीय क्षेत्र -                                            पश्चिम सिंहभूम 

सबसे  छोटा संसदीय क्षेत्र -                                          चतरा 

लोक सभा में  अनुसुचित जाति के लिए सुरक्षित एक मात्र संसदीय क्षेत्र - पलामू जिला

फसल 

मुख्य फसल -                                                           धान 

जलवायु -                                                                  उष्णकटिबंधीय मानसूनी 

वन क्षेत्रफल में वन का प्रतिशत  -                              29. 95 

सर्वधिक अधिक  वन क्षेत्रफल में वाला जिला प्रतिशत में - चतरा

न्यूनतम   वन क्षेत्रफल में वाला जिला प्रतिशत में-              धनबाद 

जनसंख्या :-

झारखण्ड राज्य जनसंख्या की दृस्टि से देश में  स्थान -14 

क्षेत्रफल की दृस्टि से देश में स्थान -                            16 

सबसे ज्यादा क्षेत्रफल वाला जिला -                            पश्चिम सिहभूमं 

सबसे कम क्षेत्रफल दर वाला जिला -                          रामगढ़ 

सबसे अधिक जनसंख्या वाला जिला -                        रांची 

सबसे कम जनसंख्या  वाला जिला -                           लोहरदागा 

जनसंख्या का घनत्व -                        414 व्यक्ति /वर्ग कि0 मी0 

सर्वधिक अधिक जनसंख्या घनत्व वाला जिला-          धनबाद 

न्यूनतम   जनसंख्या  घनत्व वाला जिला-                    सिमडेगा 

शिक्षा :-

झारखंड साक्षारता दर -                                            66. 41 %

पुरुष  साक्षारता दर -                                                 76  . 84 %

महिला  साक्षारता दर -                                               55 . 42 %

सर्वधिक अधिक साक्षारता वाला जिला -                पूर्वी सिंहभूम (76.13% )

न्यूनतम साक्षारता वाला जिला-                              पाकुड़ (48.82%)

राज्य से गुजरनेवाली एक मात्रा अक्षांश  रेखा -   23 1°/2 उत्तरी अक्षांश कर्क रेखा ।

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