Consider the following statements:
- The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation.
- A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific species of flora and fauna.
- In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 correct
- The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation. Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, boundaries are established via government notification.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve representative ecosystems and landscapes in their entirety, rather than just a few specific species of flora and fauna. Its goal is to balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable human development across its core, buffer, and transition zones.
Statement 3 is correct
- In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference (human activities) is permitted. While human activities are strictly prohibited in the core areas of National Parks, certain rights, such as livestock grazing, collection of minor forest produce, and private land ownership, may be regulated or permitted in a Sanctuary by the Chief Wildlife Warden.
