BIOSPHERE RESERVES

DEFINITION

• Biosphere: Narrow zone where land, water and air interact to support life.
• Biosphere Reserves: Large areas of terrestrial/coastal ecosystems promoting conservation + sustainable use.

ORIGIN & GOVERNANCE

• Launched under UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), 1971.
• Internationally recognized but under sovereign control of national governments.
• Falls under IUCN Category V Protected Areas.

CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION

• Pristine core area with high conservation value.
• Must cover a large biogeographic unit capable of sustaining trophic levels.
• Involvement of local communities and use of traditional knowledge.
• Potential to preserve tribal/rural sustainable lifestyles.

ZONATION PATTERN

1. CORE ZONE

• Strictly protected; no human interference.
• May contain endemic species & gene pools.
• Often overlaps with national parks/sanctuaries.
• Protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

2. BUFFER ZONE

• Surrounds core zone.
• Limited activities allowed: grazing, fishing, tourism, restoration.
• Research and education encouraged.

3. TRANSITION ZONE

• Outermost, inhabited zone.
• Settlements, agriculture, forest management allowed.
• Focus on sustainable development & cooperation.

MAN & BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME (MAB)

• Aim: Improve relationship between humans and environment.
• Provides scientific basis for sustainable use of resources.
• Governing Body: MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC).
• Advisory Bodies: Advisory Committee & International Support Group.

WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES (WNBR)

• Global network of model conservation sites.
• Goals:
  • Harmonize people-nature relationship
  • Promote knowledge exchange
  • Reduce poverty & improve well-being
  • Support SDGs & Agenda 2030
• 686 reserves in 122 countries (including 20 transboundary sites).

Functions

• Study climate & ecological changes.
• Research ecosystem–society interactions.
• Improve human welfare in high-impact areas.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer & environmental education.

MAB & INDIA

Timeline:

• 1979: India formed MAB Committee; identified 13 ecosystems.
• 1986: Nilgiri became India’s first biosphere reserve under MAB.
• 2020: Panna BR added to UNESCO list.

INDIAN BIOSPHERE RESERVES UNDER UNESCO (12)

1. Nilgiri
2. Gulf of Mannar
3. Sundarban
4. Nanda Devi
5. Nokrek
6. Pachmarhi
7. Similipal
8. Achanakmar–Amarkantak
9. Great Nicobar
10. Agasthyamala
11. Khangchendzonga
12. Panna (latest)

TOTAL BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA = 18

1. Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh)
2. Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand)
3. Khangchendzonga (Sikkim)
4. Dehang-Debang (Arunachal Pradesh)
5. Manas (Assam)
6. Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam)
7. Nokrek (Meghalaya)
8. Panna (Madhya Pradesh)
9. Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)
10. Achanakmar-Amarkantak (MP–Chhattisgarh)
11. Kachchh (Gujarat) – LARGEST
12. Similipal (Odisha)
13. Sundarban (West Bengal)
14. Seshachalam (Andhra Pradesh)
15. Agasthyamala (TN–Kerala–Karnataka)
16. Nilgiri (TN–Kerala) – FIRST
17. Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu)
18. Great Nicobar (A&N Islands)

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER PROTECTED AREAS

• BRs do NOT replace National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• They enhance the PA network by focusing on:
  • Entire ecosystem conservation (not just flagship species)
  • Larger stakeholder and community participation
  • Global recognition under UNESCO

KEY DIFFERENCES (PA vs BR)

• NP/WS: Strict protection; minimal local involvement.
• BR: Community participation, sustainable development focus.
• BRs have international recognition via MAB.

INTERNATIONAL STATUS

• UNESCO designation aims to balance conservation & development.
• Requires national nomination and meeting MAB criteria.

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Subject: Environment

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