Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

Definition – What a PA is?The first section of the National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) says – theestablishment of network of PAs such as National Parks [NPs] and Sanctuaries [WLS]and the Biosphere Reserves [BRs] to cover representative samples of all major lifeecosystems and with adequate geographic distribution. It is clear therefore that theProtected Area may be legally established National Park or Wild life Sanctuary underthe provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 or Biosphere Reserves under theprovisions of World Conservation Strategy formulated by the IUCN or any other PAwith the objectives. A Protected Area is essentially an area to play the roles in:i) the conservation of biodiversityii) ii) the contribution to the mitigation of global warming andiii) iii) adaptation to new global initiatives (IUCN 1990)Definitions• A Protected Area is defined by the convention on biodiversity as a geographicallydefined area, which is designated, or regulated and managed to achieve specificconservation objectives.• At the fourth World Congress and National Parks and Protected Areas, held inCaracas, Venezuela, in 1992 (IUCN 1994b). Such Protected Areas were defined as‘an area of land and’ or sea especially dedicated to the protection and managementof biodiversity and of national and cultural resources, and managed through legalor other effective means.’• The Global Biodiversity Strategy (WRI/IUCN/UNEP 1992) defines a PA as‘legally established land or water area under either public or private ownershipthat is regulated or managed to achieve specific conservation goals.’10