The Biosphere Reserves are different from wildlife sanctuary and National Parks in the following aspects:
                (i) Its emphasis is on overall biodiversity and landscape rather than some                  specific flagship species.
                (ii) It lays importance on research activities.
                (iii) It takes into account the overall developmental activities and                  resolves conflict between development and conservation.
                (iv) It ensures increased and broad based participation of the local                  people by special attention given on different components of Biosphere                  Reserves like landscape, habitats, species and land races.

The Biosphere Reserves are not substitute or alternative to, but re-enforcement of the existing protected areas. The Ministry of Environment and Forests launched the Biosphere Reserve programme in 1986 with these aspects in mind. The specific objectives of this programme are
                (i) to conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and animals within the                  natural eco-systems,
                (ii) to safeguard the genetic diversity of species on which their                  continuing evolution depends,
                (iii) to provide areas for multi-faceted research and monitoring,
                (iv) to provide facilities for research and training, and
                (v) to ensure sustainable use of natural resources through most appropriate technology for improvement of economy and living standard of local people.

In order to undertake activities relating to biodiversity conservation and development of sustainable management aspects, BRs are demarcated into three zones, namely core, buffer and transition zones. The core zone is absolutely undisturbed and secures legal protection and management and research activities. In this zone, management and research activities that do not affect natural processes and wildlife are allowed. The core zone is to be kept free from all human pressures external to the system. The buffer zone adjoins the core zone. In this zone, only those activities which protect the core zone are allowed. The activities allowed include limited recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone. Research and educational activities are to be encouraged. The transition zone is the outer most part of BR. This is a zone of collaboration where conservation knowledge and management skills are applied primarily to foster alternate livelihood and reduce dependence on consumptive use of the forest.

The Similipal Biosphere Reserve has been notified by Government of India on the 22nd June, 1994. It comprises of the entire Similipal sanctuary (core and buffer together), the adjoining Nato and Satkoshia Reserve Forests forming additional buffer and a belt of approximately 10 KM width all around the entire buffer designated as the 'transition zone'. The total area of this BR is 5569 Sq. KMs. The Similipal hill ranges, a densely forested area constitute the core and a part of the buffer zones of the BR, and there are also 65 villages within these two zones including four in the core zone.

Similipal is in the eastern end of the eastern ghats and classified in the Chhotanagpur biotic province of the Mahanadian bio-geographical region. The transition zone of the Reserve has 1200 villages whose total population is about 4.5 lakhs. The tribals constitute about 73% of this population. The forests and the biodiversity resources to a great extent sustain the livelihood of these people. The forest and wildlife in the sanctuary, and the human population and cattle living in close proximity impact on each other. The Management Action Plan for the BR seeks to put emphasis on suitable programmes of eco-development in the transition zone and also to a limited extent in buffer zone, to promote various alternative livelihood options, and thereby to reduce people's pressure on the forests.