Question

What is Biosphere Reserve? How many Reserves are there in India?

Answer 1

A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas which are internationally recognised within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The Biosphere Reserve aims at achieving the following three objectives:

(i) Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem.

(ii) Association of the environment with development.

(iii) International network for research and monitoring.

There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India. Ten Biosphere Reserves have been recognised by the UNESCO on World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Few of the Biosphere reserves in India are Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Manas Biosphere Reserve, etc.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve- The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), the first of the fourteen biosphere reserves of India embraces the sanctuary complex of Wyanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai, the entire forested hill slopes of Nilambur, the Upper Nilgiri plateau, Silent Valley and the Siruvani hills.

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve- The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is situated in Uttarakhand and includes parts of Chamoli, Almora, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts.

Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve- It is located in the swampy delta of the river Ganga in West Bengal.

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve- The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 105,000 hectares on the southeast coast of India.