Biosphere Reserves of India – Complete Notes
A Biosphere Reserve is a protected area designated to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable development, and support scientific research. In India, Biosphere Reserves are recognized by the Government of India, while some are also included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves .
India currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves spread across different ecological regions.
List of Biosphere Reserves
| Biosphere Reserve | State(s) |
|---|---|
| Nilgiri | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand |
| Nokrek | Meghalaya |
| Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal |
| Similipal | Odisha |
| Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh |
| Achanakmar–Amarkantak | Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh |
| Great Nicobar | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| Agasthyamalai | Kerala & Tamil Nadu |
| Khangchendzonga | Sikkim |
| Panna | Madhya Pradesh |
| Dibru-Saikhowa | Assam |
| Dihang-Dibang | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Manas | Assam |
| Cold Desert | Himachal Pradesh |
| Seshachalam Hills | Andhra Pradesh |
| Kachchh | Gujarat |
UPSC Prelims Facts
- Total Biosphere Reserves: 18
- Several are recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
- Objectives: Biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and research.
Mains Relevance
GS Paper III – Environment, Biodiversity, and Conservation.
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