Biosphere Reserves in India- Biosphere reserves are an important topic for UPSC Prelims 2023. Every year aspirants can find questions based on biosphere reserves in UPSC CSE Prelims. Biosphere Reserves are areas designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as sites for demonstrating innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development. In this article, you can check the complete information about Biosphere Reserves in India.
India currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves spread across the country, encompassing a total area of over 1.6 million hectares. These reserves serve as important centers for research, education, and ecotourism, and are vital for the long-term conservation of India’s unique natural heritage.
Sl. No. | Name of Biosphere Reserve | Established in | Location (States) |
1 | Nilgiri | 1986 | Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley, and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka). |
2 | Nanda Devi | 1988 | Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand). |
3 | Nokrek | 1988 | Part of Garo Hills (Meghalaya). |
4 | Great Nicobar | 1989 | Southernmost islands of Andaman And Nicobar (A&N Islands). |
5 | Gulf of Mannar | 1989 | The Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu). |
6 | Manas | 1989 | Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup, and Darang districts (Assam). |
7 | Sunderbans | 1989 | Part of the delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system (West Bengal). |
8 | Simlipal | 1994 | Part of the Mayurbhanj district (Orissa). |
9 | Dibru-Saikhowa | 1997 | Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam). |
10 | Dehang-Dibang | 1998 | Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. |
11 | Pachmarhi | 1999 | Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad, and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh. |
12 | Khangchendzonga | 2000 | Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and Sikkim. |
13 | Agasthyamalai | 2001 | Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala. |
14 | Achanakamar – Amarkantak | 2005 | Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of M.P. and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattishgarh State. |
15 | Kachchh | 2008 | Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar, and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State. |
16 | Cold Desert | 2009 | Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. |
17 | Seshachalam Hills | 2010 | Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh. |
18 | Panna | 2011 | Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh. |
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first Biosphere Reserve in India, established in September 1986. It is located in the Western Ghats of southern India and covers an area of approximately 5,520 square kilometers, encompassing parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is known for its rich biodiversity and unique cultural heritage, and it is home to many endangered species such as the Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque, and the Asian elephant.
Biosphere Reserves fall under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO, which aims to promote sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity in designated areas around the world. India has 12 internationally recognized BRs. They are as follows.
Sl. No. | YEAR | NAME | STATES |
1 | 2000 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu |
2 | 2001 | Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu |
3 | 2001 | Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve | West Bengal |
4 | 2004 | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand |
5 | 2009 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh |
6 | 2009 | Nokrek Biosphere Reserve | Meghalaya |
7 | 2009 | Simlipal Biosphere Reserve | Odisha |
8 | 2012 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Chhattisgarh |
9 | 2013 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Great Nicobar |
10 | 2016 | Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve | Kerala and Tamil Nadu |
11 | 2018 | Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve | Part of North and West Sikkim districts |
12 | 2020 | Panna Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh |
A Biosphere Reserve is a protected area that aims to conserve biodiversity while also promoting sustainable development.
As of 2023, there are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India.
The purpose of Biosphere Reserves in India is to conserve the biodiversity of the area, promote sustainable development, and conduct research and monitoring of the area's ecological systems.
A National Park is a protected area that is established to conserve the natural environment, while a Biosphere Reserve is a protected area that aims to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development.
Yes, people can live in Biosphere Reserves. However, the activities of the people living in the Biosphere Reserves are regulated to ensure that they do not harm the ecological systems of the area.
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