Previous Year Question
In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass?
Biosphere Reserves
National Parks
Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
National Parks provide comparatively strict legal protection to wildlife, vegetation and natural habitats.
Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, destroying, removing or exploiting wildlife or forest produce within the boundaries of a National Park is generally prohibited.
Local people are not permitted to regularly collect and use biomass such as fuelwood, fodder, grass and minor forest produce from a National Park.
Grazing of livestock within a National Park is also generally prohibited.
Limited intervention may be undertaken only for the better management of the National Park and with the competent permission prescribed under the Act.
Before an area is finally declared a National Park, the process of identifying and settling existing rights over land and resources is completed.
Wildlife Sanctuaries also receive a high level of protection, but certain previously recognised local rights or regulated activities may continue subject to law and the management plan.
Grazing and resource collection in a sanctuary may be regulated, restricted or prohibited, but a complete general prohibition identical to a National Park is not mandatory in every sanctuary.
Biosphere Reserves are generally divided into core, buffer and transition zones.
The core zone receives strict protection, while research, education and sustainable resource use by local communities may be permitted in the buffer and transition zones.
Therefore, there is no uniform complete prohibition on the use of biomass by local people throughout an entire Biosphere Reserve.
Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance and are managed according to the principle of ‘wise use’.
Ramsar designation alone does not automatically impose a complete prohibition on biomass collection by local people; actual restrictions depend on relevant Indian laws and site-specific management plans.
Biomass may include fuelwood, grass, fodder, leaves, fruits, seeds and other biological forest resources.
The prohibition on resource collection in a National Park aims to keep natural habitats intact and reduce human pressure on wildlife.