Biosphere Reserves in India: Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) For Representative Parts of Natural and

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Biosphere Reserves in India

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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.

Criteria for Designation of Biosphere Reserve


A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature
conservation.
Core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a viable
populations representing all trophic levels.
The involvement of local communities and use of their knowledge in biodiversity
preservation.
Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for
harmonious use of the environment.

Structure of Biosphere Reserve


Core Areas:
It is the most protected area of a biosphere reserve. It may contain endemic
plants and animals.
They conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important
genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest.
A core zone is a protected region, like a National Park or
Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It is
kept free from human interference.
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Buffer Zone:
The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and its activities are managed in this area
in the ways that help in the protection of the core zone in its natural condition.
It includes restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc; which are permitted to
reduce its effect on the core zone.
Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.
Transition Zone:
It is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is the zone of cooperation
where human ventures and conservation are done in harmony.
It includes settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive recreation
and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

Functions of Biosphere Reserve


Conservation:
Managing Biosphere Reserve’s genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems, and
landscapes.
It may prevent man-animal conflict eg. death of tiger Avni who was shot dead when
she turned man-eater
Along with the wildlife, culture and customs of tribals are also protected
Development:
Promoting economic and human growth that is sustainable on a sociocultural and
ecological level. It seeks to strengthen the three pillars of sustainable development:
social, economic and protection of the environment.
Logistic support:
Promoting research activities, environmental education, training and monitoring in
the context of local, national and international conservation and sustainable
development.

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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

International Status of Biosphere Reserve


The UNESCO has introduced the designation ‘Biosphere Reserve’ for natural areas to
minimize conflict between development and conservation. Biosphere Reserves are
nominated by national government which meets a minimal set of criteria under the Man
and Biosphere Reserve Program of UNESCO. Globally, there are 686 biosphere reserves
in 122 countries, including 20 transboundary sites.

Man and Biosphere Programme

Launched in 1971, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an


intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the
improvement of relationships between people and their environments.
MAB combines natural and social sciences, economics and education to improve human
livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed
ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are
socially and culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.

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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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