India is home to 18 biosphere reserves, which are designated by UNESCO under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. These reserves are representative of a variety of ecosystems, from the Himalayas to the Thar Desert, and they play an important role in conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
Here is a list of the biosphere reserves in India:
Part of World network
| Twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list. | |||
| # | Name | States/ UT | Year |
| 1 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka | 2000 |
| 2 | Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu | 2001 |
| 3 | Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve | West Bengal | 2001 |
| 4 | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand | 2004 |
| 5 | Nokrek Biosphere Reserve | Meghalaya | 2009 |
| 6 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | 2009 |
| 7 | Simlipal Biosphere Reserve | Odisha | 2009 |
| 8 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 2013 |
| 9 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh | 2012 |
| 10 | Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve | Kerala and Tamil Nadu | 2016 |
| 11 | Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | 2018 |
| 12 | Panna Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | 2020 |
List of biosphere reserves in India
| Biosphere reserves of India | |||||||
| Sr No. | Year | Name | Location | State | Type | Key fauna | Area (km2) |
| 1 | 1980 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Part of Waynad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala | Western Ghats | Nilgiri tahr, tiger, lion-tailed macaque | 5520 |
| 2 | 1988 | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Parts of Chamoli District, Pithoragarh District & Bageshwar District | Uttarakhand | Western Himalayas | Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear | 5860 |
| 3 | 1988 | Nokrek | In West Garo Hills | Meghalaya | Eastern hills | Red panda | 820.00 |
| 4 | 1989 | Gulf of Mannar | Indian part of Gulf of Mannar extending from Rameswaram island in the north to Kanyakumari in the south of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka | Tamil Nadu | Coasts | Dugong | 10500 |
| 5 | 1989 | Sundarbans | Part of delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system | West Bengal | Gangetic Delta | Royal Bengal tiger | 9630 |
| 6 | 1989 | Manas | Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup and Darrang Districts | Assam | Eastern Hills | Asiatic elephant, tiger, Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, pygmy hog | 2837 |
| 7 | 1989 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Southernmost of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Islands | Saltwater crocodile | 885 |
| 8 | 1994 | Simlipal | Part of Mayurbhanj district | Odisha | Deccan Peninsula | Gaur, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant | 4374 |
| 9 | 1998 | Dihang-Dibang | Part of Siang and Dibang Valley | Arunachal Pradesh | Eastern Himalaya | Mishmi takin, musk deer | 5112 |
| 10 | 1997 | Dibru-Saikhowa | Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts | Assam | Eastern Hills | White-winged wood duck, water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, capped langur | 765 |
| 11 | 1999 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Parts of Betul District, Hoshangabad District and Chhindwara District | Madhya Pradesh | Semi-Arid | Giant squirrel, flying squirrel | 4981.72 |
| 12 | 2000 | Khangchendzonga National Park | Parts of Kangchenjunga | Sikkim | East Himalayas | Snow leopard, red panda | 2620 |
| 13 | 2001 | Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve | Neyyar, Peppara and Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary and their adjoining areas | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Western Ghats | Nilgiri tahr, Asian elephant | 3500.08 |
| 14 | 2005 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Part of Annupur, Dindori and Bilaspur districts | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh | Maikal Hills | Four-horned antelope, Indian wild dog, sarus crane, white-rumped vulture, sacred grove bush frog | 3835 |
| 15 | 2008 | Great Rann of Kutch | Part of Kutch, Morbi, Surendranagar and Patan districts; the largest biosphere reserve in India. | Gujarat | Desert | Indian wild ass | 12454 |
| 16 | 2009 | Cold Desert | Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary | Himachal Pradesh | Western Himalayas | Snow leopard | 7770 |
| 17 | 2010 | Seshachalam Hills | Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts | Andhra Pradesh | Eastern Hills | Slender loris | 4755.997 |
| 18 | 2022 | Panna | Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh | Madhya Pradesh | Moist deciduous forest | Bengal tiger, Chinkara, Nilgai, Sambhar sambar deer, and Sloth bear | 2998.98 |
Here are the iconic key faunas of major biosphere reserves in India:
| Name | Key fauna |
| Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Lion Tailed Macaque , Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Langur |
| Nanda Devi | Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Bharal Or Blue Sheep |
| Nokrek | Red Panda, Hoolock Gibbons, Red Giant Flying Squirrel |
| Great Nicobar | Dugong, Saltwater Crocodile |
| Gulf of Mannar | Dugong, Olive Ridley turtles |
| Manas | Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid Hare, Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog , Wild Water Buffalo, Bengal florican |
| Sunderbans | Royal Bengal Tiger |
| Simlipal | Royal Bengal Tigers, Wild Elephants, Gaurs ( Indian Bison), Chausingha |
| Dibru-Saikhowa | Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Gangetic Dolphin |
| Dehang-Dibang | Takin, Red Panda |
| Pachmarhi | Tiger, Gaur, Indian Giant Flying Squirrels |
| Khangchendzonga | Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Great Tibetan Sheep |
| Agasthyamalai | Nilgiri Tahr |
| Achanakamar – Amarkantak | Four Horned Antelope, Indian Wild Dog |
| Great Rann of Kutch (Kachchh) | Great Indian Bustard, Indian Wild Ass |
| Cold Desert | Snow Leopard, Himalayan Ibex |
| Seshachalam Hills | Red Sanders, Golden Gecko |
| Panna | Tiger, Chital, Chinkara, Sambar |
Biosphere reserves are important for a number of reasons. They:
- Protect biodiversity
- Promote sustainable development
- Provide research and education opportunities
Biosphere reserves also play an important role in raising awareness of the importance of conservation. By visiting a biosphere reserve, people can learn about the different ecosystems that exist in India and the importance of protecting them.
In addition to the biosphere reserves, India also has a number of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other protected areas. These areas play an important role in conserving biodiversity and ensuring the survival of endangered species.
India is committed to conserving its natural heritage and has made significant progress in recent years. The country’s network of protected areas is one of the largest in the world, and it is home to a wide variety of plants and animals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about biosphere reserves:
What are biosphere reserves?
Biosphere reserves are designated by UNESCO as part of its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. They are areas of land and water that are internationally recognized for their unique biodiversity and cultural values. Biosphere reserves are managed to promote sustainable development, which means balancing the conservation of biodiversity with the needs of human communities.
How many biosphere reserves are there in India?
There are 18 biosphere reserves in India. They represent a variety of ecosystems, from the Himalayas to the Thar Desert.
What are the goals of biosphere reserves?
The goals of biosphere reserves are to:
- Conserve biodiversity
- Promote sustainable development
- Provide research and education opportunities
- Raise awareness of conservation issues
What are some of the key faunas found in India’s biosphere reserves?
India’s biosphere reserves are home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including many threatened and endangered species. Some of the key faunas found in India’s biosphere reserves include:
- Tigers
- Elephants
- Rhinos
- Lions
- Snow leopards
- Red pandas
- Pangolins
- Sea turtles
- Dolphins
What are some of the challenges facing biosphere reserves?
Biosphere reserves face a number of challenges, including:
- Habitat loss
- Poaching
- Climate change
- Human-wildlife conflict
What can be done to protect biosphere reserves?
There are a number of things that can be done to protect biosphere reserves, including:
- Raising awareness of the importance of biosphere reserves
- Supporting conservation efforts
- Promoting sustainable development
- Advocating for policies that protect biosphere reserves
What are the benefits of biosphere reserves?
Biosphere reserves provide a number of benefits, including:
- Protecting biodiversity
- Promoting sustainable development
- Providing research and education opportunities
- Raising awareness of conservation issues
How can I get involved in biosphere reserve conservation?
There are a number of ways that you can get involved in biosphere reserve conservation, including:
- Volunteering your time at a biosphere reserve
- Supporting conservation organizations
- Educating others about the importance of biosphere reserves
- Advocating for policies that protect biosphere reserves
Biosphere reserves are important for the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable development. By working together, we can ensure that these vital areas are protected for futuras generations.
