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Difference Between Wildlife Sanctuary Biosphere Reserves And National Parks

Introduction

Wildlife consists of the prime habitat on a large ratio of the globe. Wildlife family exist in almost every part, from the peaky mountains to the steep ground level areas. Modernisation and urbanisation are destroying most of the living space for wildlife, and it is alarming for most species. It will lead to a severe imbalance in the nature and habitat of all living organisms. So, it has become essential to save, preserve and manage biodiversity to maintain the accurate balance in the habitat. Wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves and national parks are designated destinations to save and preserve these natural habitats. 

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Wildlife Sanctuary: 

The wildlife sanctuaries are the areas reserved for the wild habitat, including animals, reptiles, birds, insects etc. These are the unique places where the animals with the danger of extinction are preserved and saved. Some of the rarely found species on earth also have a safe home in the wildlife sanctuary to make their population viable for the future. The wildlife is considered a prominent natural heritage as most of them are on the edge of extinction and rare species have a peaceful life here. Under the threat of deforestation and urbanisation, many wildlife creatures need permanent protection and a favourable atmosphere to live in. Wildlife positively fulfils this condition, and presently in India, there are over 553 wildlife sanctuaries preserving a huge ratio to rare species which are under the range of extinction. 

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Characteristics:

There are certain specific characteristics of the wildlife sanctuaries, making it a special place for wild species. These characteristics define the wildlife sanctuary in a better manner. Let’s discuss some of them:

  • The wildlife sanctuary is a natural region under government or a private agency to manage and maintain the particular area

  • According to the Protection Act 1972, the wildlife sanctuaries are considered the protected area under constitutional property

  • The area is strictly designated for wildlife preservation under the maintenance team of the government of that specific region

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Biosphere Reserves: 

Biosphere reserves are large areas that include national parks and animal wildlife sanctuaries. These build the high ratio of natural habitat with constitutional protection under the particular protection policies and arrangements. There are around 18 biospheres in India with high-end arrangements to manage the balance between humans and nature.

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Characteristics Of Biosphere:

There are specific characteristics of biospheres that distinguishes them from other protective regions. Below are the mentions:

  • These areas cover large regions covering multiple national parks and wildlife sanctuaries protecting a large number of rare species on the edge of extinction

  • No outside entities are allowed for tourism or any research purposes in these areas

  • The areas have the division under three basic categories. Core, buffer and Marginal according to which the area is defined

National Parks:

National parks are the region that protects the complete ecosystem, including species, flora, fauna, landscape, etc., of that particular region. The national parks protect the wildlife and maintain the diversion of the environment and landscape for future generations. There are approximately 106 national parks in India maintaining this balance each day for propagating this conservation for the future. 

Characteristics Of National Parks:

There are some unique characteristics of the national parks, making them an integral part of the national property under special regulations and laws. Let’s discuss:

  • The area is entirely under the government’s control, and no area is authorised for any private activity

  • The area has high-end protections from industrialisation, urbanisation, and pollution

  • No activities like cutting, grazing or any outside species can enter the arena of national parks

Difference Between Wildlife Sanctuary, Biospheres, And National Parks:

Though all of these are meant to protect the biodiversity of nature and maintain the natural balance of humans and other species. There are unavoidable differences that state the significant difference in nature and activities in all of these. Here is the tabular representation of the significant differences:

Wildlife sanctuary

Biospheres

National parks

The wildlife sanctuaries protect only wild animals.

Biospheres protect entire diversity, including the various plants and animals found in that area. It empowers the tribal habitat of a particular area.

The national parks protect historical antics, plants and animals under the complete ecosystem.

The boundaries of the wildlife sanctuaries are not fixed.

Biospheres have fixed boundaries.

The boundaries are fixed as per the government regulations.

These can be under the government or owned under private entities.

The government owns the biosphere.

Government has complete power over the national parks.

The wildlife sanctuaries own a small area.

Comparatively to both, they have a large area.

National parks cover small region.

Human activities are permitted with minor restrictions compared to the other two.

Human activities are strictly prohibited.

Partial restrictions are applied, and no activities are permitted in core regions of the national park.

Conclusion:

Here is the description regarding the wildlife sanctuaries, biospheres and national parks and their differences. All the regions are made to preserve biodiversity and maintain the balance of the ecosystem. It is imperative to maintain the balance between all species and humans. Due to rapid industrialisation and modernisation, many beautiful species are at the edge of extinction. Wildlife sanctuaries, biospheres and national parks are active in their way and region to protect them and provide a peaceful surrounding to grow and breed. 

 
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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What are wildlife sanctuaries?

Ans : The wildlife sanctuaries are where the wild species comprising animals, birds, reptiles, inse...Read full

How is the biosphere more significant than the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries?

Ans : The biospheres include multiple national parks and wildlife sanctuaries under its arena with ...Read full

What are the significant characteristics of the national park?

Ans : The national park protects the entire ecosystem comprising flora, fauna, species etc. The nat...Read full

How are government control acts for human interactions with the wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and biospheres?

Ans : The government has complete control of the activities in the biosphere and national park regi...Read full