UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves (GS Paper 3, Environment)
Introduction
- UNESCO has recently approved the designation of 11 new Biosphere Reserves (BR) across 11 countries, expanding the World Network of Biosphere Reserves to 759 sites in 136 countries.
New Additions to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve List
- Kempen-Broek Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Belgium, Kingdom of the Netherlands)
- Darién Norte Chocoano Biosphere Reserve (Colombia)
- Madre de las Aguas Biosphere Reserve (Dominican Republic)
- Niumi Biosphere Reserve (Gambia)
- Colli Euganei Biosphere Reserve (Italy)
- Julian Alps Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Italy, Slovenia)
- Khar Us Lake Biosphere Reserve (Mongolia)
- Apayaos Biosphere Reserve (Philippines)
- Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve (Republic of Korea)
- Val d'Aran Biosphere Reserve (Spain)
- Irati Biosphere Reserve (Spain)
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
About
- A Biosphere Reserve is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes that extend over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems, or a combination of both. Biosphere Reserves aim to balance economic and social development and the maintenance of cultural values along with the preservation of nature.
Criteria for Designation
- A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value for nature conservation.
- The core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a viable population representing all trophic levels.
- The involvement of local communities and the use of their knowledge in biodiversity preservation.
- The area's potential for the preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of the environment.
Functions of Biosphere Reserves
- Conservation: Managing genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems, and landscapes, and protecting the wildlife, culture, and customs of tribal communities.
- Development: Promoting economic and human growth that is sustainable on a sociocultural and ecological level, strengthening the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic, and environmental protection.
- Logistic Support: Promoting research activities, environmental education, training, and monitoring in the context of local, national, and international conservation and sustainable development.
Biosphere Reserve Project in India
Overview
- Initiated by the Government of India in 1986, guided by the UNESCO MAB program.
- Financial assistance provided in a 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states, and in a 60:40 ratio to other states.
- The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan, which is approved and monitored by the Central MAB Committee.
- Implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Zones of a Biosphere Reserve
- Core Zone: The most protected area, containing endemic plants and animals, kept free from human interference.
- Buffer Zone: Surrounds the core zone; activities here are managed to protect the core zone, including restoration, limited tourism, fishing, and grazing.
- Transition Zone: The outermost part, where human activities and conservation are done in harmony, including settlements, croplands, managed forests, and areas for recreation and economic uses.
Biosphere Reserves in India
- As of 2024, India has 18 notified biosphere reserves, with 12 recognized by UNESCO’s MAB.
|
S.No.
|
Year of Notification
|
Name
|
State
|
Area (in Sq Km)
|
Is MAB Recognized?
|
|
1
|
1986
|
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
|
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka
|
5520
|
Yes
|
|
2
|
1988
|
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
|
Uttarakhand
|
5860
|
Yes
|
|
3
|
1988
|
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
|
Meghalaya
|
820
|
Yes
|
|
4
|
1989
|
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
|
Tamil Nadu
|
10500
|
Yes
|
|
5
|
1989
|
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
|
West Bengal
|
9630
|
Yes
|
|
6
|
1989
|
Manas Biosphere Reserve
|
Assam
|
2837
|
No
|
|
7
|
1989
|
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|
885
|
Yes
|
|
8
|
1994
|
Similipal Biosphere Reserve
|
Odisha
|
4374
|
Yes
|
|
9
|
1997
|
Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve
|
Assam
|
765
|
No
|
|
10
|
1998
|
Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
5112
|
No
|
|
11
|
1999
|
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
4982
|
Yes
|
|
12
|
2000
|
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
|
Sikkim
|
2620
|
Yes
|
|
13
|
2001
|
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
|
Kerala, Tamil Nadu
|
3500
|
Yes
|
|
14
|
2005
|
Achanakmar-Amarkantak BR
|
Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
|
3835
|
Yes
|
|
15
|
2008
|
Great Rann of Kutch BR (Largest Area)
|
Gujarat
|
12454
|
No
|
|
16
|
2009
|
Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
7770
|
No
|
|
17
|
2010
|
Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
4755
|
No
|
|
18
|
2011
|
Panna Biosphere Reserve
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
543
|
Yes
|
International Status of Biosphere Reserves
- UNESCO designates Biosphere Reserves to minimize conflict between development and conservation.
- Reserves are nominated by national governments and must meet criteria under the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserve Program.
- Globally, there are 759 biosphere reserves across 136 countries, covering 7,442,000 square kilometers and home to about 275 million people.
- India has 12 internationally recognized biosphere reserves under the MAB Program.
Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB)
- Initiated by UNESCO in 1971, the MAB Programme is an intergovernmental scientific initiative aiming to establish a scientific basis for improving relationships between people and their environments.
- It integrates natural and social sciences, economics, and education to enhance human well-being, ensure fair distribution of benefits, and preserve natural and managed ecosystems, promoting culturally suitable and environmentally sustainable approaches to economic development.
Conclusion
- The designation of new Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO highlights the ongoing global efforts to balance conservation with sustainable development.
- These reserves serve as living examples of how humans can coexist with nature while respecting each other's needs, showcasing the importance of preserving biodiversity and cultural heritage.
