Biosphere Reserves in India: Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) For Representative Parts of Natural and
Biosphere Reserves in India: Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) For Representative Parts of Natural and
Biosphere Reserves in India: Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) For Representative Parts of Natural and
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Introduction
Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for representative parts of natural and
cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems
or a combination of both.
Biosphere Reserves tries to balance economic and social development and maintenance of
associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.
Biosphere Reserves are thus special environments for both people and nature and are
living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each others’
needs.
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There are 18 biosphere reserves in India:
Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh
Nanda Devi, Uttrakhand
Khangchendzonga, Sikkim
Dehang-Debang, Arunachal Pradesh
Manas, Assam
Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam
Nokrek, Meghalaya
Panna, Madhya Pradesh
Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh
Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh
Kachchh, Gujarat (Largest Area)
Similipal, Odisha
Sundarban, West Bengal
Seshachalam, Andhra Pradesh
Agasthyamala, Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala
Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu-Kerala (First to be Included)
Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu
Great Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island
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There are total 11 biosphere reserves of India which have been recognized internationally
under Man and Biosphere Reserve program:
Nilgiri (First to be included)
Gulf of Mannar
Sunderban
Nanda Devi
Nokrek
Pachmarhi
Similipal
Achanakmar - Amarkantak
Great Nicobar
Agasthyamala
Khangchendzonga (Added under Man and Biosphere Reserve Program in 2018)
Biosphere Conservation
A scheme called Biosphere Reserve is being implemented by the Government of India since
1986, in which financial assistance is given in 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States
and three Himalayan states and in the ratio of 60:40 to other states for maintenance,
improvement, and development of certain items.
The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan which is approved and
monitored by the Central MAB Committee.
Way Forward
Land rights of tribals which depends on the forest resources in transition areas must be
secured.
Resources like spices from the reserves of Kerala should be marketed with “Biosphere
Reserve Tags” which will increase their value.
Munnar declaration which suggests that biosphere reserves can be carved out of the desert
and Gangetic plain bio-geographic zones should also be implemented.
As the biosphere reserve concept was aimed at sustainable development, the term,
reserve, should be replaced with a suitable word.
The government must take strict steps against alien species invading various biosphere
reserves eg Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
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