Consider the following statements: 1. The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation. 2. A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific species of flora and fauna. 3. In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited ' biotic interference is permitted. Which of the statements given above is /are correct ?

Statement 1 is correct: national parks and other protected areas are identified and demarcated under the Wildlife Protection Act and by government notification, so their boundaries are defined by legislation and statutory processes [4]. Statement 2 is incorrect: Biosphere Reserves are designated to conserve representative ecosystems, landscape-level biodiversity and to promote sustainable use, research and education, not merely a few specific species [3]. Statement 3 is correct: wildlife sanctuaries have a lower degree of restriction than national parks and certain regulated human activities (e.g., grazing or other limited biotic use) may be permitted subject to management measures [4]. Therefore, statements 1 and 3 only are correct (option 3).

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] https://www.fao.org/4/xii/0449-b3.htm
3. [3] https://moef.gov.in/uploads/pdf/Approved%20copy%20of%20Website%20note%20of%20BR.pdf
4. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > Difference tretween the two > p. 213