Question

Buffer zone of the biosphere reserve is where
(a)No human activity is allowed
(b)Limited human activity is permitted
(c)Several human activities freely occur
(d)Wild animals are absent

Answer 1

Hint: Buffer zone is the second most protected area of a biosphere reserve. The word ‘buffer’ is something, which prevents other things from being harmed. The buffer zone is specially designed to protect the wildlife.

Complete answer:
In a biosphere reserve, human activities are permitted in some parts while such activities are restricted in some. The buffer zone surrounds the core zone of a biosphere reserve and in this area, only limited human activity is allowed because it is a specially protected area.
A biosphere reserve is a specified area in which a single piece of land is used for the conservation of important species of plants and animals along with other purposes. It serves as an example of in-situ conservation strategy for the wildlife. The land is divided into three zones: The core zone, buffer zone, and transition zone.

Additional Information:
  -The core zone lies in the center of the biosphere reserve and no human activity is allowed in this area of biosphere reserve. It is a legally protected area for the wildlife animals.
-The transition zone is also known as the manipulative zone and is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. In the transition zone, multiple human activities are allowed as long as the surrounding ecology is not disturbed. Human settlements are allowed in the transition zone.

So, the correct answer is, ’Limited human activity is permitted.’

Note: -There are 18 biosphere reserves in India as per the recent data of year 2020. The concept of biosphere reserves is of immense importance for the conservation of gene-pool resources.
-The first biosphere reserve of the world was established in 1979 while the first biosphere reserve established in India was Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in 1986.