Question map
The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of
Explanation
Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO and are rich in biological and cultural diversity, encompassing unique features of exceptionally pristine nature.[1] The main objectives for the delineation of biosphere reserves include conserving biological and cultural diversity and integrity of plants, animals, birds, reptiles, micro-organisms and unique features of pristine nature.[1]
Each Biosphere Reserve consists of protected areas of land and/or coastal environments wherein people are an integral component of the system.[2] This is the key distinguishing feature—biosphere reserves uniquely integrate human populations and their traditional lifestyles with biodiversity conservation, unlike national parks or wildlife sanctuaries which focus primarily on wildlife protection with restricted or no human activity. National Parks enjoy greater degree of protection than sanctuaries, while human interaction is allowed up to some extent in sanctuaries.[3] However, neither of these protected area categories is specifically designed to conserve traditional human life alongside biodiversity, making biosphere reserves the most appropriate strategy for this dual objective.
Sources- [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > BIOSPHERE RESERVES > p. 47
- [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.9.2. Characteristics of Biosphere reserve > p. 218
- [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Table 4.6-B Distinction between National Parks and Sanctuaries > p. 32
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a textbook 'Definition & Philosophy' question. It tests if you understand the *purpose* of a designation rather than just memorizing the list of sites. The phrase 'together with traditional human life' is the direct mandate of the UNESCO MAB (Man and Biosphere) programme, making this a straightforward hit from standard sources like NCERT or Shankar IAS.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Are biosphere reserves established for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life?
- Statement 2: Are botanical gardens established for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life?
- Statement 3: Are national parks established for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life?
- Statement 4: Are wildlife sanctuaries established for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life?
- Explicit objective: to conserve biological and cultural diversity, linking biodiversity conservation with cultural/human elements.
- Describes BRs as representative natural and cultural landscapes, implying concurrent protection of people-associated values.
- States that people are an integral component of biosphere reserves, directly supporting the idea of human presence alongside conservation.
- Frames BRs as protected areas where human communities form part of the system rather than being wholly excluded.
- Describes the three-zone zoning model with a strictly protected core, implying other zones allow regulated human activity and sustainable use.
- Zoning framework explains how conservation coexists with permitted human/economic/cultural activities in BRs.
- Directly links the origin of botanical gardens to monastic (traditional) gardens, showing historical ties between botanical gardens and traditional human practices.
- Describes traditional land-use mosaics that include vegetable and medicinal gardens, connecting conservation-oriented gardens with traditional livelihoods and practices.
- Cites the CBD obligation to respect and preserve indigenous and local knowledge and practices that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
- Links conservation goals explicitly with maintaining traditional lifestyles and customary use of biological resources.
- States that biodiversity conservation often requires providing alternative livelihood solutions to local communities dependent on natural resources.
- Supports the idea that conservation initiatives (which can include gardens/areas) are tied to sustaining traditional human livelihoods.
Defines 'botanical garden' as a scientifically planned collection of living plants from various parts of the world, suggesting a role in plant holding/propagation (an ex-situ approach).
A student could combine this with outside knowledge that ex-situ collections are often used for conservation and education to judge whether botanical gardens serve biodiversity conservation.
Gives a clear pattern/definition of in-situ conservation (biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries) as protecting species in natural habitats, implicitly contrasting with other conservation methods.
A student could contrast in-situ examples here with the botanical garden definition to infer whether botanical gardens are an ex-situ complement to in-situ measures that might or might not integrate traditional human life.
States biodiversity conservation objectives include protection of natural resources and 'the culture and traditions of the respective societies', linking biodiversity goals to human/traditional life.
A student could use this to test whether botanical gardens' conservation activities also encompass cultural/traditional plant uses (ethnobotany) by checking if gardens maintain traditional crop/medicinal plant varieties.
Notes that financial and technical assistance is provided to many botanical gardens by the government, implying an institutional conservation role for such gardens.
A student could infer that government-supported gardens likely have conservation mandates and then look (outside these snippets) for whether those mandates include traditional human life aspects.
Describes the economic role of biodiversity (food, medicinal resources, crop diversity), highlighting links between biodiversity and day-to-day human needs/traditional varieties.
A student could extend this by asking whether botanical gardens conserve crop/medicinal diversity (agro-biodiversity) that sustains traditional human life.
- Cites the CBD requirement to respect and maintain indigenous and local communities' traditional lifestyles as relevant to conservation.
- Explicitly links traditional cultural practices and customary use of biological resources with conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
- States that biodiversity conservation often requires providing alternative livelihood solutions for local communities dependent on resources.
- Indicates integration of conservation and local livelihoods (traditional human life) is recognized as necessary though challenging.
- Identifies 'Natural Sites' as areas with special spiritual significance to peoples and communities, showing cultural values are included in area-based conservation types.
- Suggests protected-area typologies recognize human cultural and spiritual connections alongside biodiversity priorities.
Defines national parks as areas 'not being materially altered by human exploitation and occupation' reserved for plants, animals and research.
A student could combine this with basic knowledge of 'traditional human life' (settlement, grazing, cultivation) to suspect parks are intended to limit such activities rather than accommodate them.
Lists activities strictly prohibited in national parks, including grazing, cultivation and other human uses.
Using this prohibition list plus knowledge of typical traditional livelihoods (grazing, farming), one can infer parks often exclude those traditional practices.
Explicit comparison: national parks enjoy greater protection and 'grazing of livestock is prohibited', whereas sanctuaries allow some human interaction.
By contrasting parks with sanctuaries, a student can extend that areas allowing traditional human life are more likely to be sanctuaries than national parks.
States national parks are examples of in-situ conservation where species grow in their natural habitat, implying preservation of ecological processes.
A student could combine this with the idea that maintaining ecological integrity often requires limiting human alteration, suggesting parks prioritize biodiversity over ongoing traditional uses.
Lists 'culture and traditions of the respective societies' among objectives of biodiversity conservation.
A student might infer that some conservation frameworks aim to include cultural aspects, and could investigate whether this objective is implemented within national parks specifically or via other protected-area categories.
- Directly contrasts national parks and sanctuaries, stating human interaction is allowed in sanctuaries to some extent.
- Specifies activities like grazing are permitted in sanctuaries (with permission), indicating coexistence with traditional livelihoods.
- States that national parks and sanctuaries were established under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to protect biodiversity.
- Shows sanctuaries are part of the legal framework for in-situ conservation of species and habitats.
- Explains in-situ conservation requires large areas and implies restriction of some human activity while noting greater overlap/interaction of wildlife with local residents near reserved areas.
- Supports the idea that sanctuaries/in-situ areas involve management of both biodiversity and resident human communities.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from the introductory chapter on Protected Area Networks in any standard Environment book (Shankar/NCERT Class 12 Biology).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Protected Area Network' syllabus line. Specifically, the comparative study of In-situ conservation methods (NP vs WLS vs BR).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the Hierarchy of Rights: National Park (No rights) < Wildlife Sanctuary (Some rights allowed) < Biosphere Reserve (Zoned for human coexistence). Also, map the 3 Zones of a BR: Core (Legal NP/WLS), Buffer (Research/Tourism), Transition (Settlements/Agriculture).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Don't just memorize the *names* of the 18 Biosphere Reserves. Ask *why* they exist. The moment you read 'Man and Biosphere' (MAB) programme, the link to 'traditional human life' becomes obvious. Always study the *legal/functional difference* between similar terms.
References state BR objectives include conserving both biological and cultural diversity, directly addressing the statement's dual focus.
High-yield for UPSC environment questions: BR objectives are repeatedly tested and connect to biodiversity policy and UNESCO MAB programme. Master by memorising stated objectives and linking them to examples of BRs and policy implications.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and National Parks > BIOSPHERE RESERVES > p. 47
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Biosphere reserves > p. 31
Zoning explains how strict conservation (core) coexists with areas permitting human use, underpinning the 'together with traditional human life' claim.
Frequently asked concept in conservation questions; explains management regimes and conflict-resolution between conservation and livelihoods. Learn the functions of each zone and typical permitted activities.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > zoning of Biosphere reserves > p. 34
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.9.6. Structure and Design of Biosphere Reserves > p. 220
Evidence explicitly notes people are integral to BRs and BRs aim at sustainable management alongside conservation.
Important for questions on human-environment interaction and policy (e.g., community conservation, rights vs protection). Study examples and policy instruments promoting sustainable livelihoods within protected areas.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.9.2. Characteristics of Biosphere reserve > p. 218
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.9.6. Structure and Design of Biosphere Reserves > p. 220
The statement centres on botanical gardens; the evidence gives a formal definition and notes government support to such gardens.
Understanding what botanical gardens are (a scientifically planned living plant collection) and that they receive government assistance is high-yield for questions on conservation infrastructure and policy. This helps distinguish types of institutions (gardens, parks, reserves) and frames questions about their objectives and funding. Prepare by memorising definitions and real-world institutional roles from syllabus texts.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 8: Biodiversity > 8.r.8. Botanical garden > p. 146
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > Eighteen Bio-reserves • Sundarbans • Simlipal • Gulf of Mannar • Dihang-Dibang • Nilgiri • Dibru Saikhowa • Nanda Devi • Agasthyamalai • Nokrek • Kangchendzonga • Great Nicobar • Pachmarhi • Manas • Achanakmar-Amarkantak • Kachchh • Cold Desert • Seshachalam • Panna > p. 46
The evidence lists the aims of biodiversity conservation, explicitly including protection of culture and traditions alongside ecological and economic goals.
Mastering the multiple objectives of biodiversity conservation (ecological, biological, economic, cultural, ethical) is frequently tested in UPSC environment papers and essay-type questions. It links to policy measures and rationale behind conservation projects. Study by mapping each objective to examples (policies, projects, institutions) and practising application-based answers.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > strAtegIes for conservAtIon of BIodIversIty. > p. 29
- FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation > CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY > p. 118
- NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India > p. 29
The references describe in-situ conservation and list examples (biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries), which is directly relevant when assessing where botanical gardens fit among conservation strategies.
Differentiating in-situ from other conservation approaches is a common UPSC question theme. It allows candidates to classify conservation measures and critique suitability of institutions (e.g., parks vs gardens). Prepare by learning definitions, examples, and pros/cons from NCERT and standard texts.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > In-situ Conservation > p. 30
- FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation > CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY > p. 118
- CONTEMPORARY INDIA-I ,Geography, Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: Natural Vegetation and Wildlife > Eighteen Bio-reserves • Sundarbans • Simlipal • Gulf of Mannar • Dihang-Dibang • Nilgiri • Dibru Saikhowa • Nanda Devi • Agasthyamalai • Nokrek • Kangchendzonga • Great Nicobar • Pachmarhi • Manas • Achanakmar-Amarkantak • Kachchh • Cold Desert • Seshachalam • Panna > p. 46
References explicitly list national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves as forms of in‑situ biodiversity conservation.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask types and methods of conservation; connects ecology, environmental law and policy. Master by memorising definitions, examples and purposes of in‑situ measures and practising application-based questions.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > In-situ Conservation > p. 30
- FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation > CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY > p. 118
The 'Transition Zone'. Since UPSC asked about the general concept here, the next logical question is about the specific zones. Prediction: 'In which zone of a Biosphere Reserve are human settlements and cropping patterns explicitly allowed?' (Answer: Transition Zone).
The 'Acronym Hack': The international programme governing this is UNESCO's **MAB** (Man and Biosphere). The question literally asks for 'Biodiversity + Human Life' (Man + Biosphere). National Parks and Sanctuaries are under the Wildlife Protection Act, which historically focused on *exclusion* of humans. Only BRs have 'Man' in their founding title.
Link this to Polity & Governance: The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. While BRs are a conservation concept, the legal rights of 'traditional human life' (tribals) are secured via FRA. A Mains answer on biodiversity must mention how FRA empowers the 'Transition Zone' communities.