Table of Content Certificate Acknowledgement 1. Introduction.4 1.1. Categories of Protected areas and Reserved forest.6 1.1.1. Categories by IUCN6 1.1.2. Categories of Protected Areas8 1.1.3. Types of Buffer zone9 1.2. Importance of Protected Area.9 1.2.1. Factors affecting eco-system (biotic and abiotic).10 1.3. Impact of biotic pressure on Natural Resources11 1.3.1. An Expanding Human Population11 1.3.2. Habitat loss.12 1.3.3. Habitat fragmentation13 1.3.4. Habitat degradation and pollution14 1.3.5. Introduction to exotic species.15 2. Literature Study17 2.1. Periyer National Park.17 2.2. Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.17 2.3. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve.17 2.4. Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharashtra)21 2.5. Conclusion.27 3. Introduction to Study Area.30 4. History Region – History and Definition.33 5. Study of Natural Elements.35 5.1. Elevation.35 5.2. Slope Analysis.35 5.3. Geology.36 5.4. Soil Type & Texture36 5.5. Hydrology.37 5.6. Soil Moisture - Post-Monsoon38 5.7. Soil Moisture – Pre -Monsoon.38 5.8. Vegetation.38 5.8.1. Importance of Plant Growth.41 5.8.2. Seed output42 5.8.3. Seed Dispersal.42 5.8.4. Viability of Seeds42 5.8.5. Seed Dormancy.43 5.8.6. Seed germination and productive capacity.43 5.8.7. Seedling growth44 5.9. Animal Habitat.44 5.9.1. Food44 5.9.2. Water46 5.9.3. Cover47 5.9.4. Inter-dependency of Species on each other51 5.9.5. Growth Structure and its requirements in an Ecosystem52 5.9.6. Behavior of each animal in Nature.59 5.9.7. Endangered Species : Ratufa Indica61 5.9.8. Avifauna.63 6. Analysis.65 7. Social Profile and Local Economy67 8. Human Activities- Issues, Impact & Results68 8.1. Activities throughout the year.68 9. Eco-Zones and Matrix.73 10. Proposals and Guidelines74 11. Sub-Regional Proposal and Guidelines77 10.1 Temple and its Activities: Observations77 10.2 Issues77 10.3 Guidelines78 10.4 Time Required for “DARSHAN’79 Annexure81 Glossary.86 Bibliography.87