Question

How biosphere reserves differ from a National park?
A. Human beings are integral part of biosphere reserve, while activities of human being in parks are restricted
B. Both plant and animals are protected in biosphere reserve, while only animals are protected in National park
C. Humans are not involved in biosphere reserve while in National park they are allowed
D. Biosphere reserve is meant for recreation and is generally home of tribes

Answer 1

Hint: The biodiversity at all levels- gene pool, species and biotic community is important and needs to be conserved. It is to be appreciated that the most effective and efficient mechanism for conserving biodiversity is to prevent further destruction or degradation of habitats caused by human beings. Several measures are taken to preserve it such as biosphere reserves, national parks and sanctuaries.

Complete answer:
Difference between Biosphere reserve and national park:

A. National park: These protected areas are Notified areas that cover a larger area of land which may cover multiple National Parks, Sanctuaries, and reserves as well.
1.Flora, fauna, landscape, historical objects, etc come under it.
2.These are Highly restricted, random access to the general public is not allowed.
3.Permission is required to enter such areas.
4..The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and its World Commission on Protected Areas, has defined it as a Category II type of protected areas.

B. Biosphere reserve : Biosphere reserve is a special category of protected areas of land and/or coastal environments, wherein people are an integral part of the system.
1.There are 425 biosphere reserves located in 94 countries.
2.There are 14 biosphere reserves in India , identified by Core Advisory Group (1979).
3.Zonation of Biosphere Reserve : A Biosphere Reserve consists of core, buffer and transition zones.
4.The natural or Core zone contains an undisturbed and legally protected ecosystem.
5.The buffer zone surrounds the core area, and is managed to accommodate a greater variety of resource use strategies. The buffer zone is also concerned with planning, research and educational activities.
6.The transition zone is the outermost zone of the Biosphere Reserve and is an area of active cooperation between reserve management and the local people for the benefits such as human settlements, cropping, forestry, recreation, etc.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A)

Note: Some of the main benefits of protected areas are:
 (i) Maintaining viable populations of all native species and subspecies;
(ii) Maintaining the number and distribution of communities and habitats, and conserving the genetic diversity of all the present species ;
(iii) Preventing human-caused introductions of alien species; and
(iv) Making it possible for species/habitats to shift in response to environmental changes.