Question

The first biosphere reserve established in India, for conserving the gene pool of flora and fauna and the lifestyle of tribals is
a. Nilgiri biosphere reserve
b. Nanda Devi biosphere reserve
c. Uttarakhand biosphere reserve
d. Great Nicobar biosphere reserve

Answer 1

Hint: Biosphere reserves are the protected areas made for the conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity. Tribal people are the integral component of this system.

Complete answer:
Biosphere reserves established for the conservation of flora and fauna and the development of the peoples of that region. A biosphere reserve consists of core, buffer and transition zones. The core zone is a legally protected ecosystem. The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and the zone of biological research and educational activities. The transition zone is an outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is the place of local (tribal) people and reserve management.

The main functions of biosphere reserves are:
- Conservation of biodiversity (ecosystems, flora, fauna and genetic variation) and cultural diversity.
- Sustainable development of the places to foster economic and human development.
- It is the centre of scientific researches, educational activities.

There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India and the Nilgiri biosphere reserve was the First Biosphere reserve in India. It is located in Western Ghats; states: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu. The Nilgiri biosphere reserve falls under the biogeographical region of Malabar rain forests. Some species of fauna such as Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri tahr and of flora such as Vanda, Bulbophyllum etc. are present in the Nilgri biosphere reserve.

Hence, The correct answer is option (A).

Note: The concept of Biosphere reserves was launched in 1975 as part of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere programme. These biosphere reserves come under:
Sub category: protected areas
Category: In-situ conservation (one of the strategies of biodiversity conservation and other the one is ex-situ conservation).