Biosphere Reserves of India by Dr. Gaurav Garg
● Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an intergovernmental scientific programme,
launched in 1971 by UNESCO, that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of
relationships between people and their environments.
● The MAB programme provides a unique platform for cooperation on research and development and networking to
share information, knowledge and experience on three interlinked issues:
○ Biodiversity loss.
○ Conservation.
○ Climate change.
○ Sustainable development.
○ Education and Research.
● Every Country makes its Domestic Biosphere Reserve first and then tries to get approval from UNESCO. After
approval from UNESCO it will become the International Biosphere Reserve which will be named under "World
Network of Biosphere Reserves".
● India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, and 11 of them are approved by UNESCO. and these 11 are part of the World
Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Biosphere Reserves :-
● Core Zone :-
○ Generally Innermost area of Biosphere Reserve.
○ Legally protected area.
○ Human Activities strictly prohibited.
○ This Core area of the Biosphere Reserve has National Park.
○ National Parks are called IUCN Category 2 areas. (International Union for
Conservation of Nature, HQ - Gland)
● Buffer Zone :-
○ Research and education activities permitted to humans as this will benefit
the environment after all.
○ Very limited tourism, fishing, mild grazing are allowed but highly regulated.
○ Minor Forest Produce can be obtained from this area.
○ This Buffer Area of Biosphere Reserve has Wildlife Sanctuary. or we can say if we want to make a Wildlife
Sanctuary in Biosphere Reserve then it will be made in the Buffer Area.
○ Wildlife Sanctuary is called IUCN Category 4 area.
● Transition/Manipulation Zone (Area of Cooperation) :-
○ Human activities like cropping, recreation, forestry, and settlements are permitted.
○ It is the zone of cooperation where human ventures and conservation are done in harmony.
○ Roads, Railway lines, Factory Establishment, Mining can be done in this area.
○ Tourism is allowed completely in this area.
● Sometimes the Govt declares an area as Eco Sensitive Zone, it means no activity will be allowed there.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve :-
● First Biosphere reserve of India.
● Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve includes :-
○ Silent Valley National Park – Kerala.
○ Mukurthi National Park – Tamil Nadu.
○ Bandipur Tiger Reserve - Karnataka.
○ Nagarhole Tiger Reserve - Karnataka.
○ Mudumalai Tiger Reserve - Tamil Nadu.
○ Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – Kerala.
○ Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary - Kerala.
○ Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve - Tamil
Nadu.
○ Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary - Kerala
● The Nilgiri mountains (also known as Blue Mountains) are part of Western Ghats which was declared a UNESCO
world heritage site in 2012.
● It is also Part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
● Two most important animals of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve -
○ Nilgiri Tahr [1] – State Animal of Tamil Nadu.
○ Lion-tailed macaque [2].
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve :-
● Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of the Flowers National Park forms the core area. Both of these National
Parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
● Notified in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2004.
● The second highest mountain in India, Nanda Devi (7816m) after Kanchenjunga (8598m). ➢ Kanchenjunga is part
of Himalayas, There is another peak "K2 (8611m)" of Karakoram Range, but it comes in a Disputed Area so we
normally do not count it as the highest peak. It is also known as "Godwin Austen Peak".
● Nanda Devi is the 23rd highest peak in the world.
● Given World Heritage Site Status by UNESCO in 1988.
● Important Animals of Nanda Devi -
○ Himalayan musk deer [3] (State animal of
Uttarakhand).
○ Himalayan Tahr [4].
○ Snow leopard (State animal of Himachal
Pradesh).
○ Himalayan black bear.
○ Langurs & Rhesus macaque [5].
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve :-
● Meghalaya has Khasi Hills, Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills.
● Nokrek is the highest peak in West Garo Hills.
● Home to Nokrek National Park.
● Notified in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO in 2009.
● Most Important Animals of Nokrek -
○ Red panda [6] (State animal of Sikkim).
○ Stump-tailed macaque.
○ Pig-tailed macaque [8].
○ Hoolock gibbons [9].
0 Comments