Biosphere reserves represent a shift from 'fortress conservation' to 'conservation with people'. Discuss with reference to the zonation model and Indian examples.

Fortress conservation keeps people out of protected land, as National Parks under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 do. Biosphere Reserves (BRs) come from UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (1971) and treat local communities as partners in conservation. India has 18 notified BRs covering 91,425 sq km, and 13 of them are in UNESCO's World Network [2]. The shift is real in how BRs are designed, but it is not yet complete in practice.

Zonation: how the shift is built in

[ CORE ] ──► [ BUFFER ] ──────────► [ TRANSITION ]
 strict        research, education,   settlements, farming,
 protection    regulated ecotourism   sustainable forestry

Fig: Protection is strictest at the core and use increases outwards

• Core: only research and monitoring are allowed. It keeps the "fortress" at the centre [1].
• Buffer: education and regulated ecotourism take place here, which reduces pressure on the core [1].
• Transition: settlements and livelihoods are formally recognised inside the reserve [1].
• BRs have three functions: conservation, sustainable development and logistic (research) support. People are part of the reserve's purpose, not a threat to it [1].

Indian examples of conservation with people

• Nilgiri: tribal artisans make crafts from removed Lantana camara, so clearing an invasive weed earns them money [1]. UNESCO's Women for Bees project trains local women in beekeeping [4].
• Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh): about 12,000 people live in this high-altitude reserve, which joined the World Network in 2025 [3].
• Integrated Management Plans in Nanda Devi, Pachmarhi, Dehang-Dibang and Agasthyamalai bring together reserve authorities, researchers and communities [1].

Limits: the shift is still incomplete

• No law of its own: strict protection in the core still comes from National Parks and Sanctuaries, so buffer and transition zoning only guides decisions [1].
• Fiscal gaps: BRs are funded by a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (60:40; 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States). At Similipal, the entire budget provision was surrendered because funds were never released [5].
• Integrated Management Plans cover only 4 of the 18 reserves [1].
• UNESCO's 10-year periodic review checks zoning and community involvement, which tests whether the shift is real on the ground [6].

Overall, the zonation model has changed conservation from fencing nature off to managing whole landscapes with people. To finish the shift, India should extend Integrated Management Plans to all reserves, release funds on time, and back buffer zones with Eco-Sensitive Zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This would turn the participatory design into practice, in line with Article 48A and the Kunming-Montreal biodiversity targets.