IUCN Protected Area Categories System

Through its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), IUCN have developed seven Protected Area Management Categories that define protected areas according to their management objectives and are internationally recognised by various national governments and the United Nations.

The categories provide international standards for comparing the protected areas in different countries and encourage the planning of protected areas under management aims. 

The categories are:

Ia----- Strict Nature Reserve; 

Ib----- Wilderness Area;

II------ National Park; 

III----- Natural Monument of Feature; 

IV----- Habitat/Species Management Area; 

V----- Protected Landscape/ Seascape and; 

VI---- Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources