A biosphere reserve is an internationally recognized conservation area that aims to promote the conservation of biodiversity, support sustainable economic and social development, and facilitate scientific research and education. Biosphere reserves are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. They are typically large areas of land or water that include representative ecosystems of a particular region, including natural and human-modified landscapes. Biosphere reserves are meant to be living laboratories for testing and demonstrating sustainable development practices, and they often involve the participation of local communities in decision-making and management.

The criteria for a site to be designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO are:

1. It should contain representative and/or unique examples of natural and/or cultural landscapes typical of a region.
2. It should be of importance for the conservation of the genetic diversity of species and ecosystems.
3. It should demonstrate innovative approaches to sustainable development and be actively involved in management, research, education, and training in relation to conservation and sustainable development.
4. It should have a functioning zonation scheme that divides the reserve into at least three interrelated zones with different purposes: a core area, a buffer zone, and a transition area.
5. It should have the involvement and support of local communities and stakeholders in the planning and management of the biosphere reserve.

A biosphere reserve typically consists of three interrelated zones:

1. Core Zone: The core zone is the central part of the biosphere reserve where the most sensitive ecosystems and species are located. This area is kept in a natural state with minimum human intervention, and it may include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, or areas where human activity is strictly controlled or prohibited.
2. Buffer Zone: The buffer zone is the area surrounding the core zone where limited human activity is allowed. This area is intended to serve as a protective barrier around the core zone and to provide space for scientific research, education, and sustainable development.
3. Transition Zone: The transition zone is the outermost area of the biosphere reserve where sustainable human development is promoted. This area may include human settlements, agricultural lands, and other areas where economic and social activities take place. The goal of this zone is to balance human needs with the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.

Convention on Biological Diversity:

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was signed during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. Its objective is to promote the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. The CBD has three main goals:

1. The conservation of biological diversity.
2. The sustainable use of its components.
3. The fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

The CBD provides a framework for countries to develop national strategies and action plans for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and to cooperate in the management of shared resources. It also encourages research and technology transfer, and provides for the participation of indigenous and local communities in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Measures for protection of Biodiversity and different Species:

International Level:

There are many projects around the world aimed at saving threatened species. Here are some examples:

1. The Giant Panda Conservation Program: This program is run by the Chinese government and focuses on protecting the habitat of the giant panda. It also involves breeding pandas in captivity and releasing them into the wild.
2. The International Rhino Foundation: This foundation works to protect all five species of rhino, which are all threatened with extinction. They fund anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, and community outreach programs.
3. The Sea Turtle Conservancy: This organization works to protect sea turtles around the world. They focus on habitat protection, reducing pollution, and reducing the number of turtles killed by fishing practices.
4. The Snow Leopard Trust: This organization works to protect snow leopards in Central Asia. They work with local communities to protect the snow leopard’s habitat and reduce conflicts between snow leopards and humans.
5. The African Elephant Conservation Trust: This organization works to protect African elephants from poaching and habitat loss. They fund anti-poaching patrols and work with local communities to reduce human-elephant conflicts.
6. The Coral Reef Alliance: This organization works to protect coral reefs around the world. They focus on reducing pollution and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
7. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): This organization works to protect all species around the world. They maintain the Red List of Threatened Species, which provides information on the conservation status of thousands of species. They also work with governments to develop conservation policies and programs.

Indian Programs to conserve threatened species:

India has several programs and initiatives to save threatened species. Some of them are:

1. Project Tiger: Launched in 1973, it is a conservation program for the protection of Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. The project has been successful in increasing the population of tigers in India.
2. Project Elephant: Launched in 1992, it aims to conserve the Asian elephant population and their habitat in India.
3. National Mission for Clean Ganga: Launched in 2014, it aims to clean the Ganges river and its ecosystem, which is home to several endangered species such as the Gangetic dolphin, Gharial, and Indian river terrapin.
4. Indian Rhino Vision 2020: Launched in 2005, it aims to increase the population of the Indian rhinoceros in protected areas in Northeast India.
5. Project Snow Leopard: Launched in 2009, it aims to conserve the snow leopard population and their habitat in the Himalayas.
6. Save the Vulture Project: Launched in 2006, it aims to conserve the population of Indian vultures, which has declined drastically due to the use of the veterinary drug diclofenac.
7. National Mission on Himalayan Studies: Launched in 2015, it aims to conserve the biodiversity of the Himalayas and promote sustainable development in the region.

These are some of the major initiatives taken by India to save threatened species and their habitats.

The Indian Government has undertaken several measures for the protection and conservation of wildlife. Some of the important steps taken are:

• The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the creation of Protected Areas for the protection of wildlife and also provides for punishment for hunting of specified fauna specified in the schedules I to IV thereof.
• The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for the protection of wetlands in the States, and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System provides assistance to the States for the management of wetlands, including Ramsar sites in the country.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for the control of illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered species.
• Research organizations such as the Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural History Society, and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History are undertaking research on the conservation of wildlife.
• Conservation Breeding Programmes have been initiated at Pinjore (Haryana), Buxa (West Bengal), and Rani, Guwahati (Assam) by the Bombay Natural History Society to conserve vulture species, after the Indian government banned the veterinary use of diclofenac drug that has caused the rapid population decline of Gyps vulture across the Indian Subcontinent.
• Under the ‘Recovery of Endangered Species’ component of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, 16 species have been identified for recovery, including Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugong, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer, and Jerdon’s Courser, and the government has to spend lakhs of rupees.
• Protected Areas, including National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, and Community Reserves all over the country, have been created as per the provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to provide better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their habitat.
• Financial and technical assistance is extended to the State Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, ‘Project Tiger,’ and ‘Project Elephant,’ for providing better protection and conservation to wildlife.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
• The State Governments have been requested to strengthen the field formations and intensify patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.

The Indian government has implemented several policies related to environment and biodiversity, which include:

• National Forest Policy
• National Conservation Strategy and Policy statement on Environment and Development
• National Policy and macro-level action strategy on Biodiversity
• National Biodiversity Action Plan (2009)
• National Agriculture Policy
• National Water Policy
• National Environment Policy (2006)

The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 is a crucial legislation aimed at protecting wildlife, birds, and plants and related matters for ensuring ecological and environmental security in India. The key provisions of the act are:

• Prohibition on the use of animal traps, except under certain circumstances
• Protection of hunting rights for Scheduled Tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
• Six schedules for varying degrees of protection, with species listed in Schedule I and part II of Schedule II receiving absolute protection and the highest penalties, and species in Schedule III and IV receiving lower penalties
• Schedule V includes animals that may be hunted, while Schedule VI prohibits the cultivation and planting of certain plants
• Establishment of a National Board for Wildlife to provide guidance for policies, advise the Central and State Governments on wildlife conservation, and recommend measures for the improvement of wildlife conservation, among other responsibilities.
• The legislation establishes the National Tiger Conservation Authority and includes several measures concerning the trade and hunting of animals in the wild.
• In addition to creating the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the act introduces several provisions addressing the trade and hunting of wild animals, including penalties for offenders.

The Act provides for the notification of five types of protected areas, namely sanctuaries, national parks, conservation reserves, community reserves, and tiger reserves. The government may declare an area as a sanctuary to protect wildlife and the environment, or as a national park to protect and develop wildlife and its habitat. Grazing is prohibited in national parks, and their boundaries can only be altered with the recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife. Conservation reserves and community reserves may be established with the consultation of local communities, and their management is overseen by government-appointed committees. Tiger reserves are designated for the protection of tigers, and the State Government may declare them on the recommendation of the Tiger Conservation Authority, after preparing a Tiger Conservation Plan.

National Wildlife Action Plan:

The National Wildlife Action Plan in India is a comprehensive plan aimed at the conservation and management of wildlife in the country. It was first launched in 1983 and is periodically revised to reflect changing conservation priorities and challenges.

The plan outlines a framework for the conservation of endangered species, the protection of wildlife habitats, the regulation of hunting and trade in wildlife, the promotion of public awareness and participation in conservation efforts, and the enhancement of research and monitoring of wildlife populations and ecosystems.

The National Wildlife Action Plan is implemented by various government agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, State Forest Departments, and National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Non-governmental organizations and civil society also play an important role in the implementation of the plan.

The National Wildlife Action Plan has contributed significantly to the conservation and protection of India’s rich and diverse wildlife heritage, including iconic species such as the tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, and lion. However, the plan faces challenges from various threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and wildlife trafficking, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change.