- The biosphere reserve network was initiated by UNESCO in 1971, following the launch of the MAB (Man and the Biosphere) program two years earlier.
- The Government of India has established 18 biospheres across the country.
- These reserves generally fall under the IUCN Category V of protected areas.
- The first biosphere reserve in the world was established in 1979.
- According to UNESCO, as of July 2021, there are 714 biosphere reserves spread across 129 countries worldwide.
- This total includes 21 transboundary sites, indicating areas that span across multiple countries.
The distribution of biosphere reserves across the world is as follows:
- Africa: 85 sites in 31 countries
- Arab States: 33 sites in 12 countries
- Asia and the Pacific: 157 sites in 24 countries
- Europe and North America: 302 sites in 38 countries
- Latin America and the Caribbean: 130 sites in 21 countries
18 biosphere reserves in India:
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- 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
- Similipal, Odisha
- Sundarban, West Bengal
- Seshachalam, Andhra Pradesh
- Agasthyamala, Karnataka-Tamil Nadu-Kerala
- Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu-Kerala
- Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu
- Great Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Island
List of Biosphere Reserves in India
there are 18 officially designated Biosphere Reserves in India.
Northern Hills:
- Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh)
- Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand)
- Khangchendzonga (Sikkim)
Northeast:
- Dehang-Debang (Arunachal Pradesh)
- Manas (Assam)
- Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam)
- Nokrek (Meghalaya)
Central India:
- Panna (Madhya Pradesh)
- Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)
- Achanakmar-Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh)
Western & Coastal India:
- Kachchh (Gujarat) – Largest Biosphere Reserve in India
- Similipal (Odisha)
- Sundarban (West Bengal)
- Seshachalam (Andhra Pradesh)
- Agasthyamala (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala) – First Biosphere Reserve in India
- Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu & Kerala)
- Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu)
Island:
- Great Nicobar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
Indian Biosphere Reserves
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1986
- Location: Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley, and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka).
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1988
- Location: Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand).
- Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1988
- Location: Part of Garo Hills (Meghalaya).
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1989
- Location: Southernmost islands of Andaman And Nicobar (A&N Islands).
- Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1989
- Location: The Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu).
- Manas Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1989
- Location: Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup, and Darang districts (Assam).
- Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1989
- Location: Part of the delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system (West Bengal).
- Simlipal Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1994
- Location: Part of the Mayurbhanj district (Orissa).
- Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1997
- Location: Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam).
- Dehang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1998
- Location: Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 1999
- Location: Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad, and Chindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2000
- Location: Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and Sikkim.
- Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2001
- Location: Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala.
- Achanakamar – Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2005
- Location: Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of M.P. and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattishgarh State.
- Kachchh Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2008
- Location: Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar, and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State.
- Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2009
- Location: Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh.
- Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2010
- Location: Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Panna Biosphere Reserve
- Year of Notification: 2011
- Location: Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh.
12 UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves in India
| YEAR | NAME | STATES |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu |
| 2001 | Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu |
| 2001 | Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve | West Bengal |
| 2004 | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand |
| 2009 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh |
| 2009 | Nokrek Biosphere Reserve | Meghalaya |
| 2009 | Simlipal Biosphere Reserve | Odisha |
| 2012 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Chhattisgarh |
| 2013 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Great Nicobar |
| 2016 | Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve | Kerala and Tamil Nadu |
| 2018 | Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve | Part of North and West Sikkim districts |
| 2020 | Panna Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh |
