Biosphere Reserves in India : Its list with interesting facts

Biosphere Reserves in India with list and Important information

India, renowned for its rich biodiversity and natural heritage, has established several Biosphere Reserves under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme to conserve its ecological wealth while promoting sustainable development. Biosphere Reserves are unique areas that protect flora, fauna, and the cultural and traditional lifestyles of local communities.

Currently, India hosts 18 Biosphere Reserves, of which 12 are part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This post provides a detailed overview of all Biosphere Reserves in India, including their locations, establishment years, key flora and fauna, and significance.

What are Biosphere Reserves?

Biosphere Reserves are designated areas under UNESCO’s MAB Programme aimed at conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable development, and supporting scientific research. They serve three primary functions:

Conservation: Protecting natural ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity.
Development: Promoting socially and economically sustainable development for local communities.
Logistic Support: Facilitating research, monitoring, education, and training.

Each Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones:

Core Zone: The most protected area with minimal human interference, dedicated to biodiversity conservation, often protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Buffer Zone: Surrounding the core zone, where limited human activities like research, tourism, and education are permitted.
Transition Zone: The outermost area, where sustainable economic activities like agriculture, forestry, and tourism are encouraged in collaboration with local communities.

India’s Biosphere Reserve journey began in 1986 with the establishment of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

List of Biosphere Reserves in India

Below is a detailed account of India’s 18 Biosphere Reserves, including their location, establishment year, area, key species, vegetation, and cultural significance.

1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Location: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka
Established: 1986
Area: 5,520 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2000
Key Features:
India’s first Biosphere Reserve, located in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Includes Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Silent Valley National Parks.
Vegetation: Tropical evergreen forests, shola grasslands, and deciduous forests.
Fauna: Nilgiri Tahr (EN), Tiger, Elephant, Indian Gaur.
Cultural Significance : Home to Toda group, Kota group, and Kurumba group.
Learn more: PMF IAS – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

2. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Location: Uttarakhand
Established: 1988
Area: 5,860.69 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2004
Key Features:
Encompasses Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park.
Fauna: Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (EN), Bharal.
Vegetation: Alpine grasslands and coniferous forests.
A significant biodiversity hotspot in the Himalayas.
Learn more: UNESCO – Nanda Devi

3. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve

Location: Meghalaya
Established: 1988
Area: 820 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2009
Key Features:
Located in the Garo Hills, with Nokrek Peak (1,412 m) as its highest point.
Fauna: Red Panda (EN), Hoolock Gibbon (EN), Red Giant Flying Squirrel.
Vegetation: Evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
A key gene pool for citrus species.
Learn more: Drishti IAS – Nokrek

4. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve

Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Established: 1989
Area: 885 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2013
Key Features:
Includes Campbell Bay and Galathea National Parks.
Fauna: Saltwater Crocodile, Sea Turtle, Nicobar Megapode.
Vegetation: Tropical rainforests.
Home to Shompen and Nicobarese group.
Learn more: Maps of India – Great Nicobar

5. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

Location: Tamil Nadu
Established: 1989
Area: 10,500 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2001
Key Features:
India’s only marine Biosphere Reserve.
Comprises 21 islands, coral reefs, and seagrass beds.
Fauna: Dugong (VU), Olive Ridley Turtle (VU), Seahorse.
Includes Ram Setu (Adam’s Bridge).
Learn more: UNESCO – Gulf of Mannar

6. Manas Biosphere Reserve

Location: Assam
Established: 1989
Area: 2,837 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2016
Key Features:
Includes Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Golden Langur (EN), Pygmy Hog (EN).
Vegetation: Semi-evergreen and deciduous forests.
Learn more: Testbook – Manas

7. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

Location: West Bengal
Established: 1989
Area: 9,630 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2001
Key Features:
World’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Ganges Dolphin (EN), Fishing Cat.
Part of the Ganges Delta.
Learn more: UNESCO – Sundarbans

8. Simlipal Biosphere Reserve

Location: Odisha
Established: 1994
Area: 4,374 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2009
Key Features:
Includes Simlipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Elephant (EN), Gaur.
group : Erenga, Kharia, Munda.
Learn more: PWOnlyIAS – Simlipal

9. Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve

Location: Assam
Established: 1997
Area: 765 sq. km (India’s smallest Biosphere Reserve)
UNESCO MAB Recognition: None
Key Features:
Includes Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
Fauna: White-winged Wood Duck (EN), Wild Buffalo, Bengal Florican (CR).
Vegetation: Moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.
Learn more: Maps of India – Dibru-Saikhowa

10. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

Location: Madhya Pradesh
Established: 1999
Area: 4,926.28 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2009
Key Features:
Located in the Satpura Range, with Dhupgarh (1,352 m) as its highest peak.
Includes Satpura National Park, Bori, and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Fauna: Tiger, Gaur, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel.
group : gond group.
Learn more: EPCO – Pachmarhi

11. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

Location: Sikkim
Established: 2000
Area: 2,619.92 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2018
Key Features:
Includes Khangchendzonga National Park, India’s first mixed World Heritage Site.
Fauna: Red Panda (EN), Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer.
Home to the world’s third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m).
Learn more: UNESCO – Khangchendzonga

12. Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

Location: Kerala, Tamil Nadu
Established: 2001
Area: 3,500.36 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2016
Key Features:
Includes Shendurney, Peppara, Neyyar, and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Fauna: Nilgiri Tahr (EN), Tiger, Elephant.
Triber group: Kani.
Learn more: StudyIQ – Agasthyamala

13. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

Location: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
Established: 2005
Area: 3,835.51 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2012
Key Features:
Located in the Maikal Hills and Vindhya-Satpura Range.
Fauna: Four-horned Antelope (VU), Indian Wild Dog (VU).
Vegetation: Moist and dry deciduous forests.
Learn more: EPCO – Achanakmar-Amarkantak

14. Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve

Location: Gujarat
Established: 2008
Area: 12,454 sq. km (India’s largest Biosphere Reserve)
UNESCO MAB Recognition: None
Key Features:
A salt marsh in the Thar Desert.
Includes Kutch Desert Sanctuary, Wild Ass Sanctuary, and Banni Grasslands.
Fauna: Indian Wild Ass, Flamingo, Great Indian Bustard (CR).
Learn more: Maps of India – Great Rann of Kutch

15. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve

Location: Himachal Pradesh
Established: 2009
Area: 7,770 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: None
Key Features:
Includes Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
Fauna: Snow Leopard (VU), Himalayan Wolf, Ibex.
Vegetation: Alpine and dry grasslands.
Learn more: Vikaspedia – Cold Desert

16. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

Location: Andhra Pradesh
Established: 2010
Area: 4,755.99 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: None
Key Features:
Located in the Eastern Ghats.
Fauna: Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Pangolin.
Vegetation: Dry deciduous and thorny forests.
Learn more: Jagran Josh – Seshachalam

17. Panna Biosphere Reserve

Location: Madhya Pradesh
Established: 2011
Area: 2,998.98 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: 2020
Key Features:
Includes Panna Tiger Reserve.
Fauna: Tiger, Cheetal, Sambar.
Vegetation: Dry and moist deciduous forests.
Learn more: EPCO – Panna

18. Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve

Location: Arunachal Pradesh
Established: 1998
Area: 5,111.5 sq. km
UNESCO MAB Recognition: None
Key Features:
Includes Mouling National Park and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Fauna: Takin (VU), Red Panda (EN), Hoolock Gibbon.
Vegetation: Tropical to alpine forests.
Learn more: WIENVIS – Dihang-Dibang

Significance of Biosphere Reserves in India

Biodiversity Conservation: These reserves protect rare and endangered species like the Red Panda, Snow Leopard, and Dugong.
Sustainable Development: They promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities, balancing human and environmental needs.
Scientific Research: Serve as hubs for studying ecosystems, species, and climate change impacts.
Cultural Preservation: Safeguard the traditions and lifestyles of tribal communities.
Environmental Education: Act as centers for raising environmental awareness and education.

Interesting Facts about Biosphere Reserves in India

Largest Biosphere Reserve: Great Rann of Kutch (12,454 sq. km).
Smallest Biosphere Reserve: Dibru-Saikhowa (765 sq. km).
First Biosphere Reserve: Nilgiri (1986).
Latest Biosphere Reserve: Panna (2011).
Only Marine Biosphere Reserve: Gulf of Mannar.
Interstate Biosphere Reserves: Nilgiri (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu), Agasthyamala (Kerala, Tamil Nadu), and Achanakmar-Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh).

Challenges and Future Directions

India’s Biosphere Reserves face several challenges, including:

Human-Wildlife Conflict: Clashes between communities and wildlife near reserves.
Illegal Activities: Poaching, illegal logging, and mining.
Climate Change: Adverse impacts on ecosystems and species.
Limited Resources: Shortages of financial and human resources.

To address these, collaborative efforts between the government and NGOs are essential. Under the Biosphere Reserve Scheme, the Government of India provides financial assistance in a 90:10 ratio for Northeastern and Himalayan states and 60:40 for others.

Tiger Reserves in India with their Locations, Conservation and facts

Conclusion

India’s 18 Biosphere Reserves play a crucial role in preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage. They are vital for biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research. Each reserve has unique features, making them attractive to tourists, researchers, and nature enthusiasts. Those planning to visit or to seek more information may visit the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change website for additional information.