The Biosphere reserves in India inform us that there are a lot of Biodiversities here. Nature has endowed many valuable gifts for India, such as variable climatic conditions, attractive Physical Structures, Fertile Soil, useful Water resources, diversifying vegetation, and as well as various living organisms. In which Wildlife and Natural Vegetations are the most important gift. Due to which more Biodiversity is found here. 


There are 18 Biosphere reserves in India in which 11 Biosphere reserves are listed in the World Network of UNESCO. Kanchenjunga Biosphere reserve was recently included in the world network of UNESCO in August 2018.


This article provides important information about the Biosphere for competitive exams and other perspectives. You can also download the list of Biosphere Reserve in India in pdf format.


Biosphere Reserves in India
Biosphere Reserves in India


Biosphere Reserves in India and their Importance


Due to enhancing population, urbanization, deforestation, and pollution, there is an increasing crisis in the existence of living organisms. Many types of animals and their species have also become extinct, for example, you can see some birds like sparrows, vultures, and other animals which are no longer visible around you.


The existence of different types of plants and animals on the earth is important for ecological balance. Decreasing biodiversity is an indication of natural disasters and other harmful effects on nature. So, it is important to conserve biodiversity. To maintain the goal, the concept of the Biosphere Reserve came into action in India and the World.


The concept of Biosphere reserves has been evolved by the MAB(Man and Biosphere) program of UNESCO in 1972. From 1972 to now 701 Biosphere reserves are included in the global network of UNESCO from 124 Countries.


What is the Biosphere reserve? 


The Biosphere Reserve is a specified area, lands of which areas are used for multiple works, this region is permitted for specific activity by allocating into different zones.


In general words, you can say that the Biosphere reserve is a multipurpose protected area to conserve genetic diversity, promote research in ecology, provide facilities for education, awareness training, etc. So we also say that the Biosphere reserve is a living laboratory. 


Biosphere reserves not only protect animals and plants but also protect the communities and their lifestyle who have lived there. 


The Biosphere Reserve mainly divided into three zones:

  1. Core zone
  2. Buffer zone
  3. Transition zone


Core Zones:

This is the Central part of biosphere reserves areas. It is a fully restricted area for human activities but research works can be without the harassment of any kind.


Buffer zones:

That area situated between the core zone and the transition zone is called the Buffer zone. In this area Limited human activities like Education, Research and Training are permitted with some conditions. 


Transition zone:

Outer areas around the Biosphere Reserve are known as the Transition Zone. Several human activities like Tourism, Human Settlements, Education, etc can occur in this zone. 


Biosphere Reserves in India
Biosphere Reserves in India


First Biosphere reserve of India


Nilgiri Biosphere was the first Biosphere Reserve of India and was established in August 1986 with the help of  UNESCO. This Biosphere Reserve is situated in the Western Ghats(Sahyadri Hills) and Nilgiri Hills range of South India. Silent Valley is the most popular place here for Biodiversity. 


 Also, the Nilgiri was the first Biosphere Reserve of India who has been included in the world network of UNESCO in 2000.


List of Biosphere reserves in India 2022


India's Biosphere reserves list is provided below with all details, such as names, areas, locations, etc. 


Name - Nilgiri 

Areas - 5520 km square

Announcement Date  - 01 August 1986

Locations  - Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. 

Included Regions - Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley, and some part of the Siruvani Hills. 

Name - Nanda Devi

Areas - 5861 km square

Announcement Date  - 18 January 1988

Locations  - Uttarakhand 

Included Regions - Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Almora district. 

Name - Nokrek

Areas - 820 km square

Announcement Date  - 01 September 1988

Locations - Meghalaya 

Included Regions - Part of the Garo Hills (East, West & South) 


Name - Gulf of Mannar

Areas - 10500 km square

Announcement Date  - 18 February 1989

Locations - Gulf of Mannar (Tamilnadu) 

Included Regions - Indian part of Gulf of Mannar. Rameshwaram Island in the North to Kanyakumari in the South. 


Name - Manas

Areas - 2837 km square 

Announcement Date  - 14 March 1989

Locations - Asam

Included Regions - Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Berpeta, Nalavadi, Kamrup, and Part of Darrang District. 


Name - Sundarvan

Areas - 9630 km square 

Announcement Date  - 29 March 1989

Locations - West Bengal 

Included Regions - Delta of Ganga and Brahmaputra River. 

Name - Great Nicobar

Areas - 885 km square 

Announcement Date  - 06 January 1989

Locations - Andaman Nicobar 

Included Regions -  Southern Island of the Andaman & Nicobar 

Name - Simlipal 

Areas - 4374 km square 

Announcement Date  - 21 June 1994

Locations - Odisha

Included Regions - Mayurbhanj District


Name - Dibru Saikhoa 

Areas - 765 km square 

Announcement Date  - 28 July 1997

Locations - Asam 

Included Regions - Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia District 


Name -  Dehang - Dewang 

Areas  - 5111 km square 

Announcement Date  - 02 September 1998

Locations - Arunachal Pradesh 

Included Regions - Upar and western part of Siyang,  and Divang Valley 


Name -  Pachmarhi

Areas - 4982 km square 

Announcement Date  - 03 March 1999

Locations - Madhya Pradesh 

Included Regions -  Part of Betul, Hoshangabad, and Chhindwara Districts. 


Name -  Kanchenjunga 

Areas  - 2620 km square 

Announcement Date  - 07 February 2000

Locations - Sikkim 

Included Regions - Northern and Eastern parts of  Sikkim.


Name -  Augusta malai 

Areas  - 3500 km square 

Announcement Date  - 12 November 2001

Locations - Tamilnadu & Kerala 

Included Regions - Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari districts in Tamilnadu and Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala. 


Name - Achanakmar - Amarkantak

Areas - 3836 km square 

Announcement Date  - 30 March 2005

Locations - Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh 

Included Regions - Anuppur, Didori Districts of MP and some part of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) 


Name - Kutch

Areas - 12454 km square 

Announcement Date  - 29 January 2008

Locations - Gujarat

Including Regions - Kachh, Rajkot, Surendranagar, and some parts of  Patan District. 


Name - Cold Desert 

Areas - 7770 km square 

Announcement Date  - 28 August 2009

Locations - Himachal Pradesh 

Included Regions - Pirveli National Park and it's nearest areas & Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibbar Sanctuary. 


Name - Seshachalam

Areas - 4756 km square 

Announcement Date  - 20 November 2010

Locations - Andhrapradesh 

Included Regions - Chittoor and Kadapa District of Andhrapradesh (Eastern Ghat ) and Seshachalam Hill regions. 


Name - Panna

Areas - 2999 km square 

Announcement Date  - 25 August 2011

Locations - Madhya Pradesh 

Included Regions - Parts of Panna and Chhatarpur Districts.


Map of the Biosphere Reserves in India


Biosphere Reserves in India map
Biosphere Reserves in India map


Biosphere reserve Listed in World Network of UNESCO


There are 11 Biosphere reserves (BR) listed in the World Network of UNESCO

 till 2018. The first one is Nilgiri and the latest is Kanchenjunga Biosphere reserve Listed in the World Network in August 2018. 


The list of all India's Biosphere reserves listed in the World Network of UNESCO is given below with the name and listed year. 


Biosphere Reserves in India by UNESCO


No.

Name of BR

Listed Year

1.

Nilgiri Biosphere reserve

2000

2.

Gulf of Mannar

2001

3.

Sundarbans

2001

4.

Nanda Devi Biosphere

2004

5.

Simlipal

2008

6.

Nokrek

2009

7.

Pachmarhi

2009

8.

Achanakmar

(Amarkantaka)

2012

9.

Great Nicobar

2013

10.

Augusta Malai

2016

11.

Kanchenjunga

2018


Biosphere Reserves in India
Biosphere Reserves in India

Some Questions asked in exams


1. Which was the first biosphere reserve of India?


Answer - Nilgiri Biosphere.


2. Which is the first biosphere of India that was included in UNESCO?


Answer - Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.


3. In which state Nokrek biosphere reserve is situated?


Answer - Meghalaya.


4. Which is the latest biosphere reserve of India included by UNESCO in the world network?


Answer - Kanchenjunga.


5. How many India's biosphere reserves are included in the UNESCO World network?


Answer - 11 biosphere reserves of India till 2018.


Some Important Points related to Biospheres in India 


  • According to the areas, the Kutch Biosphere reserve is the biggest Biosphere reserve in India while the Gulf of Mannar is second. 

  • Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve is situated in the highest in the world. 

  • Nokrek is a small Biosphere reserve in 18 Biosphere Reserves. 

  • Great Bear Lake is the largest biosphere reserve in the world.


Biosphere Reserves in India pdf 

Biosphere Reserves in India


I hope that you will have downloaded the list of biosphere reserves in India pdf. If you have any queries related to the Biosphere please comment. Also, comment to tell us, is this post helpful for you?


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