Consider the following statements regarding 'Protected Areas': 1. In a Wildlife Sanctuary, grazing is generally allowed. 2. In a National Park, grazing is freely allowed. 3. In a Biosphere Reserve, tribal life is conserved.

Correct Option The correct option is (c). Explanation Protected Areas in India are primarily governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA), which establishes National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Biosphere Reserves are a broader international designation under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, focusing on the coexistence of biodiversity conservation and sustainable human development. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: In a Wildlife Sanctuary, human activities such as harvesting of timber, collection of minor forest products, and private ownership rights can be allowed provided they do not interfere with the well-being of the animals. Under the WPA, 1972, the Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority to regulate, control, or prohibit grazing; however, unlike National Parks, it is not completely prohibited by default. Therefore, grazing is generally allowed subject to regulations. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: In a National Park, the law imposes a higher degree of protection. No human activity is permitted inside the national park except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state under the conditions given in the WPA (Chapter IV). Specifically, grazing of any livestock is strictly prohibited in a National Park. No rights of the people are allowed to exist within a National Park. - Statement 3 is Correct: A Biosphere Reserve is designed to balance biodiversity conservation with human use. It consists of three zones: Core, Buffer, and Transition. The Transition Zone (and to some extent the Buffer Zone) allows for human settlements and traditional activities. One of the key objectives of a Biosphere Reserve is to conserve the traditional lifestyle of the tribals and local communities living in the area. Key Takeaway National Parks offer the highest level of protection where no human rights (including grazing) are allowed. Wildlife Sanctuaries offer a lower degree of protection where certain rights (like grazing) may be permitted. Biosphere Reserves focus on sustainable development and explicitly conserve the culture and livelihood of local communities.

NCERT Class 8 Environment & Ecology — Chapter 1: Conservation of plants and animals

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding 'Protected Areas':

In a Wildlife Sanctuary, grazing is generally allowed.
In a National Park, grazing is freely allowed.
In a Biosphere Reserve, tribal life is conserved.

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

Protected Areas in India are primarily governed by the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA), which establishes National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Biosphere Reserves are a broader international designation under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme, focusing on the coexistence of biodiversity conservation and sustainable human development.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In a Wildlife Sanctuary, human activities such as harvesting of timber, collection of minor forest products, and private ownership rights can be allowed provided they do not interfere with the well-being of the animals. Under the WPA, 1972, the Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority to regulate, control, or prohibit grazing; however, unlike National Parks, it is not completely prohibited by default. Therefore, grazing is generally allowed subject to regulations.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: In a National Park, the law imposes a higher degree of protection. No human activity is permitted inside the national park except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state under the conditions given in the WPA (Chapter IV). Specifically, grazing of any livestock is strictly prohibited in a National Park. No rights of the people are allowed to exist within a National Park.
Statement 3 is Correct: A Biosphere Reserve is designed to balance biodiversity conservation with human use. It consists of three zones: Core, Buffer, and Transition. The Transition Zone (and to some extent the Buffer Zone) allows for human settlements and traditional activities. One of the key objectives of a Biosphere Reserve is to conserve the traditional lifestyle of the tribals and local communities living in the area.

Key Takeaway

National Parks offer the highest level of protection where no human rights (including grazing) are allowed. Wildlife Sanctuaries offer a lower degree of protection where certain rights (like grazing) may be permitted. Biosphere Reserves focus on sustainable development and explicitly conserve the culture and livelihood of local communities.

Your note

More from Chapter 1: Conservation of plants and animals

In ecological studies, a species confined naturally to a particular geographical region is described as:

easy

Which of the following pairs is correctly matched regarding the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve? 1. Satpura : National Park 2. Tawa : Reservoir 3. Panarpani : Gate Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

With reference to 'Wildlife Sanctuaries', consider the following statements: 1. They provide protection and suitable living conditions to wild animals. 2. Killing or capturing animals is generally permitted in these sanctuaries. 3. They are completely closed to all human activities including grazing and firewood collection.

medium

Which of the following animals were once found in Satpura National Park? 1. Lions 2. Elephants 3. Wild Buffaloes 4. Barasingha

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the 'Satpura National Park': 1. It preserves only the flora and fauna, excluding landscape and historic objects. 2. Rock paintings found here depict figures of animals and men fighting, hunting, and dancing. 3. There are more than fifty rock shelters identified in this park.

medium

Keep practising Chapter 1: Conservation of plants and animals

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 8 Environment & Ecology chapters

Correct Option

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: In a Wildlife Sanctuary, human activities such as harvesting of timber, collection of minor forest products, and private ownership rights can be allowed provided they do not interfere with the well-being of the animals. Under the WPA, 1972, the Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority to regulate, control, or prohibit grazing; however, unlike National Parks, it is not completely prohibited by default. Therefore, grazing is generally allowed subject to regulations.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: In a National Park, the law imposes a higher degree of protection. No human activity is permitted inside the national park except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state under the conditions given in the WPA (Chapter IV). Specifically, grazing of any livestock is strictly prohibited in a National Park. No rights of the people are allowed to exist within a National Park.
Statement 3 is Correct: A Biosphere Reserve is designed to balance biodiversity conservation with human use. It consists of three zones: Core, Buffer, and Transition. The Transition Zone (and to some extent the Buffer Zone) allows for human settlements and traditional activities. One of the key objectives of a Biosphere Reserve is to conserve the traditional lifestyle of the tribals and local communities living in the area.