Biosphere Reserves of India

About Biosphere Reserves: These are sites established by individual nations and formally recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. They are uniquely designed to promote sustainable development leveraging local community engagement paired with robust scientific research.

Global & National Registry: The World Network of Biosphere Reserves encompasses 738 sites across 134 countries, including 22 transboundary zones. India presently holds 18 notified Biosphere Reserves, with 12 officially recognized under the UNESCO MAB global network framework.

Detailed Biosphere Profiles: Northern & Eastern Zones

1. Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh) Domestic Network

• Constituent Components: Comprises the Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Snow Leopard (Vulnerable - VU) and the Himalayan Ibex (also known as Siberian Ibex - Least Concern - LC).

2. Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand) UNESCO MAB Site

• Constituent Components: Formed by the integration of Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers National Park.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (Endangered - EN), and Bharal or Blue Sheep (LC).

3. Khangchendzonga (Sikkim) UNESCO MAB Site

• Geographical Architecture: Serves as a vital transboundary biodiversity hotspot conservation belt. It envelops the third-highest mountain peak globally, Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), representing one of the planet's highest ecosystems with vertical escalations ranging from 1,220 m up to 8,586 m above sea level.
• Heritage Standing: The Khangchendzonga National Park, acting as the core biosphere zone, stands inscribed as India's first Mixed World Heritage Site.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Red Panda (EN), Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (EN), and the Great Tibetan Sheep or Argali (Near Threatened - NT).

4. Dehang-Debang (Arunachal Pradesh) Domestic Network

• Constituent Components: Envelops Mouling National Park and the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary fully or partially within its demarcated limits. The terrain is exceptionally rugged, hosting an altitudinal span from 750 m up to 3,000 m at the summit of Mouling Peak.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Mishmi Takin (VU) and Red Panda (EN).

5. Manas (Assam) Domestic Network

• Geographical Connectivity: Coextensive with Manas National Park, it runs completely contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park of Bhutan.
• Faunal Demographics: Highly celebrated for harboring a significant population of the Wild Water Buffalo (EN).
• Endemic & Rare Wildlife: Serves as a sanctuary for the Assam Roofed Turtle (EN), Hispid Hare (EN), Golden Langur (EN), and Pygmy Hog (EN).
• Grassland Biome Dynamics: The unique alluvial grasslands shelter Pygmy Hogs, Rhinoceroses (re-introduced in 2007), Asian Elephants, and the Bengal Florican (Critically Endangered - CR).

6. Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam) Domestic Network

• Constituent Components: Coextensive with the boundaries of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard (VU), and the Ganges River Dolphin (EN).

7. Nokrek (Meghalaya) UNESCO MAB Site

• Topography: Centered around Nokrek Peak (1,412 m), which is the highest peak of the Garo Hills range.
• Vegetation Type: Dominated by tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forest formations.
• Key Indicator Fauna: Red Panda (EN), Hoolock Gibbons (EN), and the Red Giant Flying Squirrel (LC).

8. Panna (Madhya Pradesh) UNESCO MAB Site

• Constituent Components: Coextensive with the Panna Tiger Reserve landscape.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Royal Bengal Tiger (EN), Chital (LC), Chinkara (LC), and Sambar (VU).

Detailed Biosphere Profiles: Central, Western & Peninsular Zones

9. Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh) UNESCO MAB Site

• Constituent Components: Integrates Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Topography & Ethnology: Nestled within the center of the Satpura Range, its highest geographic crest is Dhoopgarh (1,352 m). The **Gond** communities constitute the major indigenous tribes residing here.

10. Achanakmar-Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh) UNESCO MAB Site

• Geographical Matrix: Extends across the state borders of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The Maikal Hills, along with the eastern fringes of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, lie within this reserve.
• Vegetation & Fauna: Features moist deciduous and dry deciduous forest ecosystems. Major fauna includes the Four-Horned Antelope or Chousingha (VU) and the Indian Wild Dog or Dhole (VU).

11. Kachchh (Gujarat) Domestic Network

• Territorial Standing: Holds the distinction of being the largest Biosphere Reserve by area in India. The Great Rann of Kutch operates as a vast salt marsh within the Thar Desert landscape.
• Constituent Components: Integrates the Kachchh Desert Sanctuary (in the Great Rann), Wild Ass Sanctuary (in the Little Rann of Kutch), Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, and the Banni Grasslands Reserve.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Great Indian Bustard (CR) and the Indian Wild Ass (NT).

12. Simlipal (Odisha) UNESCO MAB Site

• Constituent Components: Envelops the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which integrates Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Tribal Demographics: Home to indigenous tribes including the Erenga, Kharias, Mankirdias, Ho, Gonda, and Munda.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Royal Bengal Tigers, Wild Elephants (EN), Gaurs or Indian Bison (VU), and Chousingha (VU).

13. Sundarban (West Bengal) UNESCO MAB Site

• Geographical Matrix: Situated within the vast delta of the Ganges River system, south of Kolkata and directly bordering Bangladesh in the east.
• Constituent Components: Comprises Sundarbans National Park, Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Lothian Wildlife Sanctuary, and Haliday Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Core Fauna: Serves as a premier baseline habitat for the threatened Royal Bengal Tiger (EN).

14. Seshachalam (Andhra Pradesh) Domestic Network

• Geographical Matrix: Forms a critical component of the Eastern Ghats chain, situated south of the Panna River in southern Andhra Pradesh. The major pilgrimage center of Tirupati and the Sri Venkateswara National Park are located within these hill ranges.
• Endemic Flora: Renowned for high concentrations of rare, endemic, and highly commercial timber species like Red Sanders (NT).
• Endemic Reptilian Fauna: Protects the Golden Gecko (LC), which is strictly endemic to the Tirumala Hills.

15. Agasthyamala (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala) UNESCO MAB Site

• Constituent Components: Comprises Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
• Anthropological Matrix: Serves as the ancestral home of the indigenous Kani tribes spanning across both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Nilgiri Tahr (EN).

16. Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka) UNESCO MAB Site

• Historical Precedence: Holds the distinction of being India's first Biosphere Reserve to be included in the network. Derived its name ("Blue Mountain") from the mass blooming of the purplish-blue flowers of Neelakurinji, which blossom once every 12 years.
• Constituent Components: The Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) encompasses Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Nagarhole, Bandipur, and Silent Valley National Parks, paired with the Aralam, Wayanad, and Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Vegetation Diversity: Exhibits tropical evergreen forests along western slopes, montane sholas and grasslands at high altitudes, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, and thorn forest formations.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Lion-Tailed Macaque (EN), Nilgiri Tahr (EN), Malabar Giant Squirrel (LC), and Nilgiri Langur (VU).

17. Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu) UNESCO MAB Site

• Geographical Matrix: Extends between the west coast of Sri Lanka and the southeastern tip of mainland India within the Coromandel Coast region. The shallow chain of low islands and reefs known as Ram Sethu (Adam's Bridge), including Mannar Island, separates the Gulf from Palk Bay.
• Marine Ecosystems: Comprises highly productive marine environments featuring estuaries, extensive seagrass beds, coral reefs, salt marshes, and mangroves.
• Major Indicator Fauna: Dugong or Sea Cow (VU) and Olive Ridley Turtles (VU).

18. Great Nicobar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) UNESCO MAB Site

• Constituent Components: Integrates Campbell Bay National Park and Galathea National Park.
• Ecosystem & Fauna: Covered uniformly by pristine tropical wet evergreen forest formations. Key indicator species include the Marine Dugong (VU) and the Saltwater Crocodile (LC).

High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Biosphere Reserves Focus)

Q1. Which of the following Biosphere Reserves holds the distinction of being India's first Mixed World Heritage Site under UNESCO's registry?

Correct Answer: C. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve contains the National Park core area which was inscribed as India's first "Mixed World Heritage Site" due to its combined cultural and natural significance.

Q2. With reference to the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, consider the following statements:

1. It is geologically situated within the Western Ghats mountain cluster.
2. It protects the rare endemic plant species Red Sanders as well as the endemic Golden Gecko.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B. Statement 1 is incorrect because Seshachalam is located in the Eastern Ghats (Andhra Pradesh), south of the Panna River. Statement 2 is correct as it hosts Red Sanders and the Tirumala Hills' endemic Golden Gecko.