List of Biosphere Reserves of India (Updated)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/ marine ecosystems or a combination thereof as Biosphere Reserves. They are recognized to deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling biodiversity conservation, the quest for economic and social development, and the maintenance of associated cultural values. As of now, there are 18 Biosphere Reserves in the country. Here is the list of Biosphere Reserves of India.

List of Biosphere Reserves of India (Updated)

Name of Biosphere Reserve	Year of Notification	States
Nilgiri	1986	Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
Nanda Devi	1988	Uttarakhand
Nokrek	1988	Meghalaya
Great Nicobar	1989	A&N Islands
Gulf of Mannar	1989	Tamil Nadu
Manas	1989	Assam
Sunderbans	1989	West Bengal
Simlipal	1994	Orissa
Dibru-Saikhowa	1997	Assam
Dehang-Dibang	1998	Arunachal Pradesh
Pachmarhi	1999	Madhya Pradesh
Khangchendzonga	2000	Sikkim
Agasthyamalai	2001	Kerala.
Achanakamar –    Amarkantak	2005	Chhattisgarh
Kachchh	2008	Gujarat
Cold Desert	2009	Himachal Pradesh
Seshachalam Hills	2010	Andhra Pradesh
Panna	2011	Madhya Pradesh

UNESCO MAB Programme

• The Biosphere Reserve Programme is guided by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.

• India is a signatory to the landscape approach supported by the MAB programme.

• A scheme called Biosphere Reserve has been implemented by the Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in a 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan states and the ratio of 60:40 to other states

• Reason: For maintenance, improvement and development of certain items.

• The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan approved and monitored by Central MAB Committee.

UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves list in India

NAME	YEAR	STATES
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve	2000	Tamil Nadu
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve	2001	Tamil Nadu
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve	2001	West Bengal
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve	2004	Uttarakhand
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve	2009	Madhya Pradesh
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve	2009	Meghalaya
Simlipal Biosphere Reserve	2009	Odisha
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve	2012	Chhattisgarh
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve	2013	Great Nicobar
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve	2016	Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve	2018	Part of North and West Sikkim districts
Panna Biosphere Reserve	2020	Madhya Pradesh

Functions of a Biosphere Reserve

The functions of each biosphere reserve are as follows:

1. Conservation function: It aims to conserve species, ecosystems, genetic resources, and landscapes

2. Development function: It aims to promote sustainable human and economic development.

3. Logistic support function: Under this, the biosphere reserves aim to provide support for research and analyzing the issues of conservation and sustainable development.

Three zones of the Biosphere:

The three zones of Biosphere reserves are the Core Area, Buffer Zone, and Transition Area.

Details are as follows:

Core area: 

• Entirely secured and protected ecosystem

• It contributes to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.

Buffer zone:

• Adjoins the core areas.

• Utilized for activities compatible with sound ecological practices

• Reason: Scientific research, monitoring, training, and education.

Transition area:

• Part of the reserve

• Reason for permitted activity: To promote economic and human development that is sustainable

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How many biosphere reserves are there in India's list?

Ans: As of now, there are 18 biosphere reserves in India

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2. What are the 18 biosphere reserves in India?

Ans: Cold Desert, Nanda Devi, Khangchendzonga, Dehang-Debang, Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Nokrek, Panna, Pachmarhi, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Kachchh, Similipal, Sundarban, Seshachalam,  Agasthyamala, Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Great Nicobar

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3. Which is the largest Biosphere Reserve in India?

Ans: The largest Biosphere reserve in India is the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat

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4. Which is the smallest Biosphere Reserve in India?

Ans: The smallest Biosphere Reserve in India is Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam.

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