Environment and Ecology — Biosphere Reserves: List and Key Facts
1. Criteria for Biosphere Reserve Designation
- Core Protection: Effectively protected core area for nature conservation.
- Eco-Representation: Core typical of bio-geographical units, large enough for viable populations.
- Community Role: Local communities' involvement for biodiversity and socio-economic harmony.
- Cultural Value: Preserve tribal/rural lifestyles in sync with nature.
Additional Fact: Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve includes Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. (UPSC 2019)
2. List of Biosphere Reserves in India
Context: India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, with 12 internationally recognized under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
| S.No | Biosphere Reserve | State/Region | International Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nilgiri | Karnataka | ✓ |
| 2 | Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | ✓ |
| 3 | Kachchh | Gujarat | — |
| 4 | Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh | ✓ |
| 5 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | ✓ |
| 6 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak | Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh | ✓ |
| 7 | Agasthyamala | Tamil Nadu & Kerala | ✓ |
| 8 | Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | ✓ |
| 9 | Sunderbans | West Bengal | ✓ |
| 10 | Similipal | Odisha | ✓ |
| 11 | Seshachalam | Andhra Pradesh | — |
| 12 | Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu | ✓ |
| 13 | Cold Desert | Himachal Pradesh | — |
| 14 | Manas | Assam | — |
| 15 | Dibru Saikhowa | Assam | — |
| 16 | Nokrek | Meghalaya | ✓ |
| 17 | Great Nicobar | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | ✓ |
| 18 | Great Nicobar | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | ✓ |
Key Statistics:
- Total Biosphere Reserves in India: 18
- Internationally Recognized (UNESCO MAB): 12
3. Elephant Reserves — Overview
Context: Elephant Reserves are established for the conservation of elephants and their habitats, addressing threats like habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
- Purpose: Conservation of elephants & their habitats.
- Threats Addressed: Habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict.
- Key Features:
- Protects migration routes & feeding grounds.
- Ensures long-term survival of elephant populations.
- Supports biodiversity conservation & human-elephant coexistence.
- Global Context: India's ERs serve as models for elephant conservation worldwide.
- Elephant Reserves: 33 ERs in 14 states across 10 landscapes.
- Overlap: With Tiger Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Reserved Forests (Protected under WPA 1972, Indian Forest Act 1927).
Key Statistics:
- Total Elephant Reserves: 33 in 14 states across 10 landscapes
4. Summary: Protected Areas at a Glance
| Category | Number | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Biosphere Reserves | 18 | 12 internationally recognized by UNESCO MAB |
| Elephant Reserves | 33 | 14 states across 10 landscapes |
| Agasthyamala BR | — | Neyyar, Peppara, Shendurney WLS & Kalakad Mundanthurai TR (UPSC 2019) |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Biosphere Reserves: 18 total; 12 internationally recognized by UNESCO MAB
- Agasthyamala BR: Includes Neyyar, Peppara, Shendurney WLS and Kalakad Mundanthurai TR (UPSC 2019)
- Elephant Reserves: 33 ERs in 14 states across 10 landscapes
- Designation Criteria: Core Protection, Eco-Representation, Community Role, Cultural Value
- Key BRs: Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Sunderbans, Similipal, Gulf of Mannar, Agasthyamala, Khangchendzonga
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Biosphere Reserves — List)
Q1. How many Biosphere Reserves are there in India?
Correct Answer: C. India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, out of which 12 are internationally recognized by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
Q2. How many Biosphere Reserves in India are internationally recognized by UNESCO MAB?
Correct Answer: C. India has 12 internationally recognized Biosphere Reserves under the UNESCO MAB Programme.
Q3. Which Biosphere Reserve includes Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries?
Correct Answer: C. Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve includes Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. (UPSC 2019)
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a criterion for Biosphere Reserve designation?
Correct Answer: D. Commercial Viability is NOT a criterion for Biosphere Reserve designation. The criteria include Core Protection, Eco-Representation, Community Role, and Cultural Value.
Q5. Which Biosphere Reserve is located in Gujarat?
Correct Answer: B. Kachchh Biosphere Reserve is located in Gujarat. It is not internationally recognized by UNESCO MAB.
Q6. How many Elephant Reserves are there in India?
Correct Answer: C. India has 33 Elephant Reserves in 14 states across 10 landscapes.
Q7. Which Biosphere Reserve is located in Sikkim?
Correct Answer: C. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in Sikkim and is internationally recognized by UNESCO MAB.
Q8. Which Biosphere Reserve is located in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands?
Correct Answer: C. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is located in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and is internationally recognized by UNESCO MAB.
Q9. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
Correct Answer: D. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve spans across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It was India's first Biosphere Reserve.
Q10. Which of the following is NOT a Biosphere Reserve in India?
Correct Answer: C. Sundarbans National Park is NOT a Biosphere Reserve. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is the correct designation (it is located in West Bengal).