Content
- Sustaining Life, Celebrating Nature: India’s Biosphere Reserves
Sustaining Life, Celebrating Nature: India’s Biosphere Reserves
Why in News?
- India observed the International Day for Biosphere Reserves on November 3, 2025, under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
- Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) was added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) in September 2025, marking India’s 13th UNESCO-recognized site.
- Budget boost: Allocation for biodiversity conservation under CNRE doubled from ₹5 crore (2024–25) to ₹10 crore (2025–26).
Relevance
GS-3 (Environment & Ecology):
• Biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods under UNESCO’s MAB Programme.
• India’s leadership in forest gain and climate-resilient ecosystem management.
• Integration of conservation with carbon sinks and ecosystem services.
Concept and Global Context
- Definition: Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are “living laboratories” for integrating biodiversity conservation with sustainable development.
- Designation: Identified by national governments and recognized under UNESCO’s MAB Programme.
- Objective: To reconcile biodiversity conservation, socio-economic development, and scientific research.
Global Snapshot (UNESCO 2025):
- Number: 748 Biosphere Reserves in 134 countries.
- Coverage: ~7 million sq. km (≈ size of Australia).
- Population supported: >260 million people.
UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
- Launch: 1971 by UNESCO.
- Core Goals:
- Study human–environment interactions and manage ecosystem changes.
- Integrate natural & social sciences to improve human well-being sustainably.
- Promote knowledge exchange, climate resilience, and environmental education.
- Governance: International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) with 34 Member States.
- Outcome: Creation of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) as sites of excellence in conservation and sustainability.
Structure of a Biosphere Reserve
| Zone | Function | Example Activity |
| Core Zone | Strictly protected area for biodiversity conservation. | No human interference; scientific study allowed. |
| Buffer Zone | Limited human activity supporting research, eco-tourism. | Grazing, eco-tourism, education. |
| Transition Zone | Sustainable resource use and human habitation. | Agroforestry, organic farming, local crafts. |
India’s Biosphere Reserves: Data Snapshot (2025)
- Total: 18 Biosphere Reserves (Area: 91,425 sq. km).
- UNESCO-recognized: 13 sites under WNBR.
- Administered by: Biosphere Reserve Division, MoEFCC.
- Funding Model:
- 60:40 (Centre:State).
- 90:10 for North Eastern & Himalayan states.
- Schemes: Sub-scheme under Conservation of Natural Resources & Ecosystems (CNRE).
India’s UNESCO-Recognized Biosphere Reserves
| No. | Name | State | Year of UNESCO Recognition |
| 1 | Nilgiri | TN–Kerala–Karnataka | 2000 |
| 2 | Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu | 2001 |
| 3 | Sundarbans | West Bengal | 2001 |
| 4 | Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | 2004 |
| 5 | Nokrek | Meghalaya | 2009 |
| 6 | Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh | 2009 |
| 7 | Similipal | Odisha | 2009 |
| 8 | Achanakmar–Amarkantak | MP–Chhattisgarh | 2012 |
| 9 | Great Nicobar | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 2013 |
| 10 | Agasthyamalai | TN–Kerala | 2016 |
| 11 | Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | 2018 |
| 12 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 2020 |
| 13 | Cold Desert | Himachal Pradesh | 2025 |
India’s Conservation Leadership
- FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025:
- Rank 9th globally in total forest area.
- Rank 3rd in annual forest gain (after China & USA).
- Forest & Tree Cover: ~24.6% of India’s geographical area (FSI 2023).
- People-Centric Approach: ~5 lakh people in 18 BRs benefit from eco-development and alternate livelihoods.
National Complementary Initiatives
| Programme | Launch | Objective |
| Project Tiger | 1973 | Species & habitat conservation; 55 reserves (2024). |
| Project Elephant | 1992 | Mitigate human-elephant conflict; protect corridors. |
| Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) | 2008 | Assist states in habitat protection beyond PAs. |
| National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) | 2008 | Implements Biological Diversity Act, 2002. |
| Green India Mission (GIM) | 2014 | Enhance forest cover by 5 million ha; carbon sink creation. |
| Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) | — | Buffer protection around national parks/sanctuaries. |
Socio-Ecological Impact
- Biodiversity: Protection of flagship species (tiger, elephant, red panda).
- Climate Mitigation: Acts as carbon sink and climate buffer zones.
- Livelihoods: Promotes eco-tourism, organic farming, honey, handicrafts.
- Community Involvement: Integration of local self-governance & tribal participation.
- Education: Supports environmental awareness and sustainable technologies.
Challenges
- Overlapping jurisdictions among forest, tribal & revenue departments.
- Unsustainable resource extraction in transition zones.
- Developmental pressures — roads, mining, tourism infrastructure.
- Limited scientific monitoring and data integration across BRs.
Way Forward
- Expand BR network to underrepresented biogeographic zones (Trans-Himalaya, Arid zones).
- Strengthen real-time biodiversity monitoring through remote sensing & AI.
- Promote Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for community participation.
- Enhance carbon-credit mechanisms within buffer & transition zones.
- Foster India–Global South partnerships via MAB exchange platforms.
Conclusion
- India’s 18 Biosphere Reserves represent a synergy of conservation and community — aligning with the UNESCO MAB vision and SDG-15 (Life on Land).
- With increased budgetary support, growing international recognition, and scientific integration, India is emerging as a global model for “people–nature harmony.”
- Sustaining these ecological laboratories will be central to ensuring a resilient, biodiverse, and climate-secure India for the future.
