Biosphere Reserves in India: UNESCO Biosphere Reserves & their Importance

Biosphere reserve in India is a large part of the earth in which all sorts of life is present. The conservation of biosphere reserves means the conservation of plants and animals for scientific and natural interest. Land, water and air are the important constituents of a biosphere sustaining life on earth.

The term biosphere reserve is given by United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in order to protect these important sites. Conservation of biodiversity is very important for the environment and sustainable future.

• The word “conservation of natural resources” means the utilization of natural resources in a limited and useful way.
• The maintenance of species and ecosystems is a basis for sustainable development.
• Conservation of biodiversity requires human efforts so that the wildlife and plants are saved from being extinct.

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What is Biosphere Reserve?

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As per UNESCO, Biosphere reserves in India are defined as ‘learning places for sustainable development’. In other words, they are sites for testing cross-disciplinary approaches to understand and manage the variations, interconnection and conflict between social and ecological systems. All the living organisms including flora, fauna, and also the human population inhabiting the areas are protected in a biosphere reserve. 

• Biosphere reserves consist of terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.
• It is categorized into two zones: core zone and buffer zone.
• As per current data, the total number of biosphere reserves in the world is 580.
• Biosphere Reserves provide local solutions to major global challenges.

The number of biosphere reserves in India is 18, out of which 12 biosphere reserves are of strategic importance and are recognized by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Reserves Program or MAB. Each site promotes solutions to restore the relationship among species for the conservation of biodiversity. 

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Role of Biosphere Reserves in India

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Management, research and education are all promoted by Biosphere reserves in ecosystem conservation. Therefore, conservation of biosphere reserves in India help in ‘sustainable use of natural resources’. Biosphere Reserves are meant to be the representative parts of the natural and cultural landscapes which spread over a large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or either the combination of both of them.

• The whole flora and fauna present in the biosphere reserves are preserved in its natural habitat.
• It also aids in the maintenance of biodiversity culture.
• Little to no economic activities are allowed within the biosphere reserves, like mining of sand and stone.
• These reserves aid to promote research in the field of ecological conservation and environmental preservation.
• Biosphere reserves are areas which are developed for various purposes like;
• For the Conservation of biodiversity and integrity of plants, animals and microorganisms.
• To create awareness about environmental aspects and eco-friendly living and to educate people about the same.

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Characteristics of Biosphere Reserve

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Biosphere Reserves are the areas that cover a bigger half of land which can include multiple National Parks, Sanctuaries and Reserves. Following are some of the important characteristics of biosphere reserve:

1. The main aim of Biosphere reserve is to conserve biodiversity of a particular area.
2. It is divided into various zones that are- core, buffer & marginal/ transition. 
3. Core zone is considered as a de jure protected ecosystem which means no human activity is permissible.
4. Within the Buffer zone, restricted human activity is allowed.
5. In transition or marginal zone, many or several human activities are permitted.
6. Biosphere Reserves are recognized by the UNESCO’s Man and biosphere (MAB) programme.
7. Financial aid is granted to the respective state governments from The Ministry of environment and Forest.

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Zones of Biosphere Reserve

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Thus, biosphere reserves play a crucial role in maintaining environmental integrity while balancing human development, guaranteeing that natural resources are conserved for future generations while meeting demands at present.  It is divided into 3 zones which are:

• Core zone
• Buffer zone
• Manipulation zone

Core Zone

This is a de jure protected space wherein human intervention is strictly prohibited. It is the innermost undisturbed region of an ecosystem. The information from these areas helps us to assess the sustainability of activities, or maintenance of environmental quality within the encompassing areas.

Buffer Zone

The area encompassing the core zone is the buffer zone. Here, solely the research and education activities are permissible to humans. The human activities mustn't hinder the conservation objectives of the core area.

This space includes activities that facilitate the management of natural vegetation, agricultural land, fisheries, or forests. Buffer zone is also known for embody recreation and tourism facilities. Human activities are less intensive in this zone as compared to the transition zone.

Manipulation Zone or Transition Zone

Transition zone also called marginal or manipulation zone, is the peripheral region of a biosphere reserve for dedicated human activities like cropping, recreation, forestry, and settlements.

Through these activities, the degraded space is resumed to its natural form. The native communities, scientists, conservation agencies, cultural groups, and other stakeholders work in this zone to use the area in a sustainable manner for the welfare of humans living there.

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List of Biosphere Reserves in India

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The addition or removal of any biosphere reserve is declared by State or Union Goverment through an official notification. The complete list of Biosphere Reserves in India is tabulated below.

Here are some of the most important facts related to biosphere reserves in India: 

• The first biosphere reserve in India is Nilgiri biosphere reserve located within the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills. 
• The largest biosphere reserve in India is Gulf of Mannar located in the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu state. 
• The smallest biosphere reserve is Panna situated in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India.

UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves in India

Once recognized as biosphere reserves, these larger sites can also be nominated under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB). Recently between 2018-2020, two biosphere reserves of India including Panna Biosphere Reserve and Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve have received this status. Twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves have now been added to the UNESCO protected list.

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Importance of Biosphere Reserves

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Through research, education, and community engagement, these reserves seek to strike a balance between conservation efforts and socioeconomic growth. Biosphere reserves play a vital role in our ecosystem in many ways. Some of the major mportance of biosphere reserves are listed below:

1. Conservation: Species, ecosystems, genetic diversities, landscapes along with the inhabitants are all conserved in a biosphere reserve.
2. Development: By combining conservation with development, biosphere reserves ensures sustainable, economic, cultural, social and economic developments.
3. Restoration: The biosphere reserves are capable of restoring the damaged ecosystems, habitats of living organisms, and land fertility.
4. Education and Research: These areas holds a great importance for education and research activities. Thus, biosphere reserves are considered as “learning places for sustainable future”.
5. Planning of land use: The areas under biosphere reserve can be used by the landowners, public establishments, farmers, scientists, industry, and conservation teams for comprehensive land management. Thus, biosphere reserves are considered as a good source for diversity conservation.