Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
Protected areas are crucial for India's environmental security and biodiversity. UPSC frequently asks about their types, management challenges, legal frameworks, and the conflicts arising from human-wildlife interaction and development pressures, especially in the context of indigenous rights. Relevant for GS3 (Environment & Ecology).
Biosphere Reserves are internationally recognized protected areas designated by UNESCO under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, aiming to reconcile conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use. India's protected area network, including National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves, forms the backbone of its biodiversity conservation strategy, managed under various environmental laws.