The Man and
the Biosphere Programme (MAB, or MaB) of UNESCO was
established in 1971 to promote interdisciplinary approaches to management,
research and education in ecosystem conservation and sustainable use of natural
resources.
The term ‘biosphere’
refers to all of the land, water and atmosphere that
supply life on earth.
The word ‘reserve’ means that it is
a special area recognized
for balancing conservation with sustainable use. The term ‘reserve’ does not
mean that these places are set aside from human use and
development. In fact, the study of human use is
an important part of the biosphere reserve program.
A biosphere reserve is an area proposed by
its residents, ratified by a national committee,
and designated by UNESCO’s Man and
Biosphere (MAB) program, which demonstrates innovative approaches to living
and working in harmony with nature. One of the primary objectives of MAB is to achieve a
sustainable balance between the goals of conserving biological diversity, promoting economic
development, and maintaining associated cultural values.
Ø Presently, there are 18 existing biosphere reserves in India. As of now, only Eight viz. Nilgiri (2000), Gulf of Mannar
(2001), Sunderban (2001), Nanda Devi(2004), Nokrek (2009), Pachmarhi(2009),
Similipal (2009) and Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (2012) are in the
UNESCO’s MAB world network.
Functions Of Biosphere Reserves:
Each biosphere reserve
is intended to fulfil 3 basic functions, which are complementary and mutually
reinforcing.
· Conservation
Function - to contribute to the conservation of
landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;
· A
Development Function - to foster
economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically
sustainable;
·
Logistic Function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education
and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of
conservation and development.
List of Biosphere Reserves of India
NAME
|
YEAR
|
STATE
|
TYPE
|
KEY FAUNA
|
AREA (KM²)
|
NILGIRI
BIOSPHERE RESERVE1st
|
1986
|
TAMIL
NADU, KERALA & KARNATAKA
|
WESTERN
GHATS
|
NILGIRI
TAHR,
LION-TAILED
MACAQUE
|
5520
|
NANDA
DEVI NATIONAL PARK & BIOSPHERE RESERVE
|
1988
|
UTTARAKHAND
|
WESTERN
HIMALAYAS
|
5860
|
|
NOKREK
|
1988
|
MEGHALAYA
|
EAST
HIMALAYAS
|
RED
PANDA
|
820
|
GULF
OF MANNAR
|
1989
|
TAMIL
NADU
|
COASTS
|
DUGONG OR
SEA
COW
|
10500
|
SUNDAR-BANS
|
1989
|
WEST
BENGAL
|
GANGETIC
DELTA
|
ROYAL
BENGAL
TIGER
|
9630
|
MANAS
|
1989
|
ASSAM
|
EAST
HIMALAYAS
|
GOLDEN
LANGUR,
RED
PANDA
|
2837
|
GREAT
NICOBAR BIOSPHERE RESERVE
|
1989
|
ANDAMAN
AND
NICOBAR
ISLANDS
|
ISLANDS
|
SALTWATER
CROCODILE
|
885
|
SIMLIPAL
|
1994
|
ODISHA
|
DECCAN
PENINSULA
|
GAUR, ROYAL
BENGAL
TIGER,
WILD
ELEPHANT
|
4374
|
DIBRU-
SAIKHOWA
|
1997
|
ASSAM
|
EAST
HIMALAYAS
|
GOLDEN
LANGUR
|
765
|
DIHANG-
DIBANG
|
1998
|
ARUNACHAL
PRADESH
|
EASTERN
HIMALAYA
|
5112
|
|
PACHMARHI
BIOSPHERE RESERVE
|
1999
|
MADHYA
PRADESH
|
SEMI-ARID
|
GIANT
SQUIRREL,
FLYING
SQUIRREL
|
4981.72
|
KHANGCHEN-DZONGA
|
2000
|
SIKKIM
|
EAST
HIMALAYAS
|
SNOW
LEOPARD,
RED
PANDA
|
2620
|
AGASTHYA-MALAI
BIOSPHERE RESERVE
|
2001
|
KERALA, TAMIL
NADU
|
WESTERN
GHATS
|
NILGIRI
TAHR,
ELEPHANTS
|
1828
|
ACHANAKAMAR
AMARKANTAK
|
2005
|
MADHYA
PRADESH,
CHHATTISGARH
|
MAIKALA
HILLS
|
3835
|
|
GREAT
RANN OF KUTCH or
|
2008
|
GUJARAT
|
DESERT
|
INDIAN
WILD ASS
|
12454
|
COLD
DESERT
|
2009
|
HIMACHAL
PRADESH
|
WESTERN
HIMALAYAS
|
SNOW
LEOPARD
|
7770
|
SESHACHALAM HILLS
|
2010
|
ANDHRA
PRADESH
|
EASTERN
GHATS
|
4755
|
|
PANNASmallest
|
2011
|
MADHYA
PRADESH
|
CATCHMENT
AREA OF THE KEN RIVER
|
TIGER, CHITAL,
CHINKARA,
SAMBHAR
AND SLOTH BEAR
|
543
|
