Which of the following human activities are prohibited in a Biosphere Reserve's protected areas? 1. Plantation and cultivation are generally prohibited in the protected areas of a Biosphere Reserve. 2. Felling of trees is permitted without restriction in the core zones of a Biosphere Reserve. 3. Hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited in these reserves.

The correct option is (c). Explanation A Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof. Structurally, a Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones: the Core Zone, the Buffer Zone, and the Transition Zone, each with varying degrees of protection and permissible human activities. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct. The Core Zone of a Biosphere Reserve is the most strictly protected area. It is legally constituted as a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In this zone, human interference is kept to a minimum to conserve the ecosystem in its most natural state. Consequently, activities such as plantation, cultivation, and human settlements are prohibited. - Statement 2 is Incorrect. The Core Zone is meant to be an undisturbed ecosystem. Commercial forestry, including the felling of trees, is strictly prohibited. Even in the Buffer Zone, activities are regulated to ensure they do not undermine the conservation objectives of the Core Zone. Unrestricted felling is not permitted in the protected zones of a Biosphere Reserve. - Statement 3 is Correct. Hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited across the protected network in India, specifically within the Core and Buffer zones of Biosphere Reserves, which are governed by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These areas are dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, and any form of hunting is a punishable offense. Key Takeaway: In a Biosphere Reserve, the Core Zone is strictly protected (no human activity except monitoring), the Buffer Zone allows for research and eco-tourism, and the Transition Zone permits sustainable human activities like settlements and agriculture.

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

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Which of the following human activities are prohibited in a Biosphere Reserve's protected areas?

Plantation and cultivation are generally prohibited in the protected areas of a Biosphere Reserve.
Felling of trees is permitted without restriction in the core zones of a Biosphere Reserve.
Hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited in these reserves.

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

The correct option is (c).

Explanation

A Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof. Structurally, a Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones: the Core Zone, the Buffer Zone, and the Transition Zone, each with varying degrees of protection and permissible human activities.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct. The Core Zone of a Biosphere Reserve is the most strictly protected area. It is legally constituted as a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In this zone, human interference is kept to a minimum to conserve the ecosystem in its most natural state. Consequently, activities such as plantation, cultivation, and human settlements are prohibited.
Statement 2 is Incorrect. The Core Zone is meant to be an undisturbed ecosystem. Commercial forestry, including the felling of trees, is strictly prohibited. Even in the Buffer Zone, activities are regulated to ensure they do not undermine the conservation objectives of the Core Zone. Unrestricted felling is not permitted in the protected zones of a Biosphere Reserve.
Statement 3 is Correct. Hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited across the protected network in India, specifically within the Core and Buffer zones of Biosphere Reserves, which are governed by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These areas are dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, and any form of hunting is a punishable offense.

Key Takeaway: In a Biosphere Reserve, the Core Zone is strictly protected (no human activity except monitoring), the Buffer Zone allows for research and eco-tourism, and the Transition Zone permits sustainable human activities like settlements and agriculture.

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:

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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

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The correct option is (c).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct. The Core Zone of a Biosphere Reserve is the most strictly protected area. It is legally constituted as a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In this zone, human interference is kept to a minimum to conserve the ecosystem in its most natural state. Consequently, activities such as plantation, cultivation, and human settlements are prohibited.
Statement 2 is Incorrect. The Core Zone is meant to be an undisturbed ecosystem. Commercial forestry, including the felling of trees, is strictly prohibited. Even in the Buffer Zone, activities are regulated to ensure they do not undermine the conservation objectives of the Core Zone. Unrestricted felling is not permitted in the protected zones of a Biosphere Reserve.
Statement 3 is Correct. Hunting and poaching are strictly prohibited across the protected network in India, specifically within the Core and Buffer zones of Biosphere Reserves, which are governed by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These areas are dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity, and any form of hunting is a punishable offense.