List of Biosphere Reserves in India

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal or marine ecosystems or its amalgamation. The biosphere reserve network was launched in 1971 by UNESCO, two years after the initiation of MAB- Man and the biosphere program. The Government of India established 18 biospheres in the country (categories generally relating to IUCN Category V Protected areas).

The first biosphere reserve of the world was established in 1979. According to UNESCO, as of July 2021, there are 714 Biosphere reserves across 129 countries in the world which also include 21 transboundary sites.

Latest Context:

Odisha Government has proposed to give the status of Biosphere Reserve to Mahendragiri Hill Complex. If added, it will be Odisha’s second Biosphere Reserve after Simlipal Biosphere Reserve.

The List of Biosphere Reserves in India and questions based on the same are important for candidates preparing for the IAS Exam. Aspirants looking forward to applying for UPSC CSE can visit the linked article.

This article will talk about the 11 biosphere reserves of India that are now considered as UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserve, important from the UPSC exam perspective. Also, the list of 18 Biosphere Reserves in India has been given further below in the article.

Distribution of the Biosphere Reserves across the World are as follows:

• 85 sites in 31 countries in Africa
• 33 sites in 12 countries in the Arab States
• 157 sites in 24 countries in Asia and the Pacific
• 302 sites in 38 countries in Europe and North America
• 130 sites in 21 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Functions of a Biosphere Reserve

Each biosphere reserve is supposed to fulfill three harmonizing functions:

1. Conservation function: to conserve genetic resources, species, ecosystems, and landscapes
2. Development function: to promote sustainable human and economic development.
3. Logistic support function: to provide support for research and analysing the issues of conservation and sustainable development.

Three zones of the Biosphere

Biosphere reserves have three unified zones that aim to fulfill three harmonizing and mutually reinforcing functions:

1. The core area:  It involves an entirely secured and protected ecosystem that contributes to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
2. The buffer zone: It encompasses or adjoins the core areas. It is utilized for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can fortify scientific research, monitoring, training, and education.
3. The transition area:  It is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is permitted to promote economic and human development that is sustainable.

List of Biosphere Reserves in India

Biosphere reserves are announced by the state or central governments by notification. The Governments can nominate them under the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme after its establishment as a biosphere reserve. There are 18 biosphere reserves in India.

UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves – International Status

Recently, Panna Biosphere Reserve was also given the International status of UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserve. The status was given in the year 2020, and prior to that, the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve from India was also included in this list in 2018.

With the addition of the two Biosphere Reserves, 12 of the 18 biosphere reserves in the country have become part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves which is based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.

The UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves list in India are given below:

Biosphere reserves in India is an important static GK topic. For information on various static GK topics, check the article linked here.

Biosphere Conservation

UNESCO is promoting the peaceful integration of man and nature for sustainable development through participatory dialogue, awareness on poverty reduction and human well-being improvement, respect for cultural values, and society’s ability to cope with change.

Candidates preparing for the upcoming civil services exam must focus on understanding the UPSC syllabus and exam pattern before starting their preparation. This will guide them through chalking out a systematic study plan.

Refer to the IAS Toppers list from the previous year recruitment and get inspired by the motivational success stories and accordingly prepare for the upcoming examination.

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