Consider the following statements 1. National Parks are a special category of protected areas of land and sea coasts where people are an integral part of the system. 2. Sanctuaries are concerned with conservation of particular species. 3. Biosphere Reserves are connected with the habitat of a particular wild animal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Statement 1 is incorrect because National Parks are strictly protected areas where human activities like grazing and settlement are prohibited, and people are not an integral part of the system . It is actually Biosphere Reserves that integrate human populations as an integral part of the system through the 'Man and Biosphere' concept [4]. Statement 2 is correct as Wildlife Sanctuaries can be dedicated to the conservation of a particular species, such as the grizzled giant squirrel [3]. Statement 3 is incorrect because Biosphere Reserves are large-scale ecosystems aimed at conserving total biological and cultural diversity rather than being limited to the habitat of a single wild animal [3]. National Parks and Sanctuaries are more focused on specific habitats or species under the Wildlife Protection Act, whereas Biosphere Reserves represent a broader landscape approach [1].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Criteria for selection of Biosphere Reserves > p. 32
2. [4] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > Difference tretween the two > p. 213
3. [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Criteria for selection of Biosphere Reserves > p. 31