Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

• To provide baseline data for ecological and environmental research and
education
• To function as an alternate model for sustainable development
Zones
The NBR is broadly classified into various zones such as Core Zone,
Manipulation (Forestry) Zone, Manipulation (Tourism) Zone, Manipulation
(Agricultural) Zone and Restoration Zones. The core zone would serve to
preserve ecosystems with their whole range of biological diversity The
manipulation or buffer zone would include regions with ongoing human uses,
including forestry. agriculture and animal husbandry.
Core Zones
Primarily the core zones are areaS where human activity should be either
absent or kept to a minimum out of necessity. There should be no forestry
operations, collection of minor forest produces or any developmental
activities such as construction of dams; regular tourism should not be
allowed. The only people who may be permitted to reside within the core
areas are adivasis who have been always living there. Apart from the
concerned officials, the entry of other bonafide people should be strictly
regulated through permits. The total area of Core Zone of the NBR is about
1240.3 sq. Km.
Buffer Zones
While other zones effectively buffer most portions of the core zone, in areas
where the core zone abuts human settlement, a buffer zone of necessary
breadth is defined. For instance. the core Nilambur Kovi/agam abuts
settlement to its east. A distance of about 1 Km from human settlement is
considered as buffer in such situations to facilitate genuine utilisation by the
people.
Manipulation (Forestry) Zones
These zones are to be managed according to sound forestry principles for
obtaining yield of forest produce consistent with the needs of the ecosystem.
The total area of this zone is 3239 sq Km.
3 Nilagiri.: Fading (,'lory