15.8.5. National Biosphere Reserve Programme.

♤ The national Biosphere Reserve Programme was initiated in 1986.

♤ To ensure participation of local inhabitants for effective management and devise means of improving livelihood of the local inhabitants through sustainable use.

Objectives

♤ It may be noted that BRs are not a substitute or alternative, but a re-enforcement to the existing protected areas. The objectives of the Biosphere Reserve programme, as envisaged by the Core Group of Experts, are as follows:

♤ To conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and animals within natural ecosystems;

♤ To safeguard genetic diversity of species on which their continuing evolution depends;

♤ To provide areas for multi-faceted research and monitoring;

♤ To provide facilities for education and training; and

♤ To ensure sustainable use of natural resources through most appropriate technology for improvement of economic well-being of the local people.

♤ These objectives should be oriented in such a way that the BRs are the Units wherein the Biological, socio-economic and cultural dimension of conservation are integrated together into a realistic conservation strategy.