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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/ marine ecosystems or a combination thereof as Biosphere Reserves. They are recognized to deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling biodiversity conservation, the quest for economic and social development, and the maintenance of associated cultural values. As of now, there are 18 Biosphere Reserves in the country. Here is the list of Biosphere Reserves of India.
|
Name of Biosphere Reserve |
Year of Notification |
States |
|
Nilgiri |
1986 |
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka |
|
Nanda Devi |
1988 |
Uttarakhand |
|
Nokrek |
1988 |
Meghalaya |
|
Great Nicobar |
1989 |
A&N Islands |
|
Gulf of Mannar |
1989 |
Tamil Nadu |
|
Manas |
1989 |
Assam |
|
Sunderbans |
1989 |
West Bengal |
|
Simlipal |
1994 |
Orissa |
|
Dibru-Saikhowa |
1997 |
Assam |
|
Dehang-Dibang |
1998 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
|
Pachmarhi |
1999 |
Madhya Pradesh |
|
Khangchendzonga |
2000 |
Sikkim |
|
Agasthyamalai |
2001 |
Kerala. |
|
Achanakamar – Amarkantak |
2005 |
Chhattisgarh |
|
Kachchh |
2008 |
Gujarat |
|
Cold Desert |
2009 |
Himachal Pradesh |
|
Seshachalam Hills |
2010 |
Andhra Pradesh |
|
Panna |
2011 |
Madhya Pradesh |
The Biosphere Reserve Programme is guided by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.
India is a signatory to the landscape approach supported by the MAB programme.
A scheme called Biosphere Reserve has been implemented by the Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in a 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states and the ratio of 60:40 to other states
Reason: For maintenance, improvement and development of certain items.
The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan approved and monitored by Central MAB Committee.
|
NAME |
YEAR |
STATES |
|
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
2000 |
Tamil Nadu |
|
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve |
2001 |
Tamil Nadu |
|
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve |
2001 |
West Bengal |
|
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve |
2004 |
Uttarakhand |
|
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve |
2009 |
Madhya Pradesh |
|
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve |
2009 |
Meghalaya |
|
Simlipal Biosphere Reserve |
2009 |
Odisha |
|
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve |
2012 |
Chhattisgarh |
|
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve |
2013 |
Great Nicobar |
|
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve |
2016 |
Kerala and Tamil Nadu |
|
Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve |
2018 |
Part of North and West Sikkim districts |
|
Panna Biosphere Reserve |
2020 |
Madhya Pradesh |
The functions of each biosphere reserve are as follows:
1. Conservation function: It aims to conserve species, ecosystems, genetic resources, and landscapes
2. Development function: It aims to promote sustainable human and economic development.
3. Logistic support function: Under this, the biosphere reserves aim to provide support for research and analyzing the issues of conservation and sustainable development.
The three zones of Biosphere reserves are the Core Area, Buffer Zone, and Transition Area.
Details are as follows:
Entirely secured and protected ecosystem
It contributes to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.
Adjoins the core areas.
Utilized for activities compatible with sound ecological practices
Reason: Scientific research, monitoring, training, and education.
Part of the reserve
Reason for permitted activity: To promote economic and human development that is sustainable
1. How many biosphere reserves are there in India's list?
Ans: As of now, there are 18 biosphere reserves in India
2. What are the 18 biosphere reserves in India?
Ans: Cold Desert, Nanda Devi, Khangchendzonga, Dehang-Debang, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Nokrek, Panna, Pachmarhi, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Kachchh, Similipal, Sundarban, Seshachalam, Agasthyamala, Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Great Nicobar
3. Which is the largest Biosphere Reserve in India?
Ans: The largest Biosphere reserve in India is the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat
4. Which is the smallest Biosphere Reserve in India?
Ans: The smallest Biosphere Reserve in India is Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam.
