In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass ?

In India, National Parks represent the most restrictive category of protected areas under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Unlike Wildlife Sanctuaries, where certain rights like grazing or collection of minor forest products may be permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden, National Parks strictly prohibit human interference to preserve the ecosystem's integrity [3]. Local people are not allowed to collect or use biomass, such as fuelwood or fodder, within a National Park's boundaries. While Biosphere Reserves allow for sustainable resource use in their buffer and transition zones, and Wildlife Sanctuaries may permit limited resource extraction for subsistence, National Parks maintain a 'no-take' policy to ensure species remain undisturbed. Ramsar Wetlands also generally support 'wise use' principles, which include sustainable biomass utilization by local communities, making National Parks the only category among the options where such activities are completely barred.

Sources

1. [3] https://cpc.parivesh.nic.in/writereaddata/guidelines_for_process_managemene_process_for_PA.pdf