Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

Support guidelines for the establishment of PAs (GBA, 1995)There are 10 steps as given for establishment of PA in general with biodiversityconservation as central objectives (Miller, et all, 1995).1. No. of areas: A large number of sites will provide better coverage of thediversity of habitat and transition areas in the country. The larger number alsocover the larger cover and need for resilience of the system which ensureprotection from vulnerability to diseases, catastrophes, anthropomorphicdisturbances, etc.2. Size: Ideally each area should be as large as needed to embrace the biota ofconcern, together with the related habits, habitat, behavioural aspects andecosystem factors and interactions. Naturally both number and size will be codeterminedby socioeconomic factors in terms of habitation density, occupancyof local human residents, availability of agricultural soils, and internal demand3. Interconnectedness: The intervening landscape or water bodies should permitthe flow of biota from site to site in response to daily and seasonal changes,climate changes and other large and small spatial and temporal-scale factors.Thus corridors are needed between different Protected Areas to ensure geneticviability and survival of the species.4. Zoning: Classification of different regions according to zones will segregatemanagement objectives and uses for comprehensive management of resources.E.g. areas of key significance for concerned biota and maintenance of ecologicalbalance should be kept out of human disturbances (Core Zone), while certainareas can be used for sustainable use of resources with conservation of wildlife(Buffer Zone), special zone for tourism, sites for scientific research, etc. by thiswe can maximize other goals of conservation.5. Location of facilities and infrastructure: The design of trails and roads,buildings and infrastructure (fuel, sewage water, power, etc.) can affectbiodiversity. Physical development, even those limited facilities required bymost protected areas, should be designed and located as part of overallecological assessment, mapping and analysis.17