International Day for Biosphere Reserves

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Context:

From 2022 onwards, 3rd November will be celebrated as ‘The International Day for Biosphere Reserves’.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

Biosphere reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’.
They are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and inters between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
They are places that provide local solutions to global challenges.
Biosphere reserves include terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each site promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
Biosphere Reserves are designated under the intergovernmental MAB Programme by the Director-General of UNESCO following the decisions of the MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC).
Biosphere Reserves involve local communities and all interested stakeholders in planning and management.

Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity
Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable
Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training

Core Areas
- It comprises a strictly protected zone that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation
Buffer Zones
- It surrounds or adjoins the core area(s), and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.
Transition Area
- The transition area is where communities foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.

India now has 18 designated biosphere reserves totaling 60,000 square kilometres.
The blue mountains of the Nilgiris, which span Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, were India’s first biosphere reserve.
Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam) is the smallest while the Gulf of Kachchh (in Gujarat) is the largest biosphere reserve .

For natural areas, UNESCO has established the term “Biosphere Reserve” to reduce conflicts between development and preservation.
Under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program of UNESCO, national governments that meet a minimal set of requirements can nominate biosphere reserves.
There are currently 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites.
There are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites, according to UNESCO.
The highest number of such sites are in Spain, Russia and Mexico.

The MAB programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.
It combines the natural and social sciences with a view to improving human livelihoods and safeguarding natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
There are total 12 biosphere reserves of India which have been recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere Reserve program

-Source: The Hindu