Hotspots – World Heritage Sites – Biosphere Reserves – National Parks – Sanctuaries – Tiger Reserves

This article will brief you and give a basic idea about bio-diversity hotspots, world heritage sites, biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves etc. Read further.

Bio-Diversity Hot-spots, World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, Wild Life Sanctuaries, Botanical Gardens: these related but confusing terms which denote areas, where environment and wildlife are protected, are important of UPSC Civil Services Prelims, Mains and Interview.

Every student of the environment is advised to update himself with the differences and latest statistics regarding these hot terms.

Also read: Community Reserves and Conservation reserves

Bio-Diversity Hot Spots

A biodiversity hotspot is a region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000 edition of the hotspot-map, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation. Around the world, 36 areas qualify under this definition. 4 regions that satisfy these criteria exist in the Indian subcontinent and they are: The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, The Himalayas,  The Indo-Burma and The Sundaland.

World Heritage Sites

Sites on the World Heritage List are cultural, natural, or mixed properties recognized by the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO) has been of outstanding universal value. There are 40 World Heritage Sites in India, 32 are cultural sites, 7 are natural and 1 is of mixed type.

As of date, there are 1157 sites under the World Heritage List, which cover 900 cultural sites, 218 natural sites and 39 mixed properties encompassing 167 countries.

Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves of India, (categories roughly corresponding to IUCN Category V Protected areas), which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or Animal Sanctuary) and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life.

National Parks

The National parks of India are IUCN category II protected areas. As of January 2023, there were 106 national parks in India and more parks in the process of getting commissioned.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

India has over 567 animal sanctuaries, referred to as Wildlife sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV Protected Area). Among these, the 28 Tiger Reserves are governed by Project Tiger and are of special significance in the conservation of the tiger. Some wildlife sanctuaries are specifically named Bird Sanctuary, e.g. Keoladeo National Park before attained National Park status. Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Tiger Reserves

There are more than 54 tiger reserves in India, which are governed by Project Tiger. They are administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Reserve Forests: Coral Reefs and Mangrove Forests

There are 4 important areas of coral reefs and 34 mangrove forests in India.

Zoos and Botanical Gardens

These are areas of artificial flora and fauna conservation. While botanical gardens offers ex-citu conservation for flora zoological parks or zoos offer ex-citu conservation for fauna.

Additional Links:

1. List of protected areas of India
2. Wildlife of India