What is Buffer zone

Buffer zone is the peripheral area situated around a specific protected area. It either segregates regions or conjoins them. It may be situated around the periphery of particular regions or may act as a connecting zone between two or more protected areas.

Buffer zone may be the border area in between two sovereign states or it may be in the form of a park between a commercial and residential district of a city.

Buffer zones are set up for various purposes. It can be for prevent violence, protect the environment and protect residential or commercial areas from natural disasters. It is mandatory for the protection of World heritage sites and man & biosphere reserves.

The Buffer zone gained prominence in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage through its usage in the establishment of UNESCO’s world heritage convention. The world heritage convention requires that any modification in the buffer zone area protecting the world heritage sites should be approved by the world heritage committee.