The International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of UNESCO introduced the designation of ‘Biosphere reserve’ for natural areas in November, 1971. The National Biosphere Reserve Programme in India was initiated in 1986 to serve as wider base for conservation of entire range of living resources and their ecological foundations in addition to already established protected area network system. In this article, we are giving the list of Biosphere Reserves in India which is very useful for the preparation of competitive examinations like UPSC-prelims, SSC, State Services, NDA, CDS, and Railways etc.
List of Biosphere Reserves in India
A biosphere reserve is an ecosystem with plants and animals of unusual scientific and natural interest. The International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of UNESCO introduced the designation of ‘Biosphere reserve’ for natural areas in November, 1971. After their designation, biosphere reserves remain under national sovereign jurisdiction, yet they share their experience and ideas nationally, regionally and internationally within the World network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Biosphere Reserves in India
1. Achankamar- Amarkantak
Location: Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh and parts Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh.
2. Agasthyamalai
Location: Neyyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and their adjoining areas in Kerala.
3. Cold Desert
Location: Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife in Himachal Pradesh.
4. Dehang- Debang
Location: Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
5. Dibru- Saikhowa
Location: Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam)
6. Great Nicobar
Location: Southern most islands of Andaman & Nicobar.
7. Gulf of Mannar
Location: Indian part of Gulf of Mannar between India and Srilanka (Tamil Nadu)
8. Kachchh
Location: Part of Katchchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State.
9. Khang Chendzonga
Location: Parts of Khang Chenzonga hills and Sikkim.
10. Manas
Location: Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and Daran districts (Assam)
11. Nanda Devi
Location: Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand)
12. Nilgiri
Location: Part Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka)
13. Nokrek
Location: Part of Garo Hills (Meghalya)
14. Seshachalam Hills
Location: Covering parts of Chittor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh
15. Simlipal
Location: Part of Mayurbhanj district (Orissa)
16. Sunderban
Location: Part of delta of Ganges and Brahamaputra river system (West bengal)
