In short: Biosphere Reserves are large landscapes where strict protection of a core area is combined with research, education and sustainable livelihoods around it. India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves, of which 13 are in UNESCO’s World Network. This explainer, based on the PIB Backgrounder released for the International Day for Biosphere Reserves (3 November), covers the concept, zones, the full list with years and States, and the facts most often asked in Prelims.
Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; GS Paper 1: Distribution of key natural resources · Source: PIB Backgrounder “Biosphere Reserves in India” · 2 November 2026
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
- A Biosphere Reserve is an area identified by a national government to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development, under the framework of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, launched in 1971.
- It has three functions: conservation of ecosystems, species and genetic resources; sustainable economic development that respects ecological limits; and scientific support through research, monitoring and education.
- Unlike National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Biosphere Reserves have no separate statutory basis in India; they are designated by the Centre and supported through a scheme.
- UNESCO’s World Network has 797 Biosphere Reserves in 145 countries, covering about 5% of Earth’s land and supporting about 300 million people.
The three zones
| Zone | What is allowed | Global average share |
|---|---|---|
| Core area | Strict protection; only non-destructive research and monitoring | About 18% |
| Buffer zone | Surrounds the core; environmental education, research and regulated ecotourism | About 30% |
| Transition area | Settlements, farming, sustainable forestry and other livelihoods | About 52% |
India’s 18 Biosphere Reserves
| Biosphere Reserve | Designated | In UNESCO network | State(s) | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilgiri* | 1986 | 2000 | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka | 5,520 |
| Nanda Devi* | 1988 | 2004 | Uttarakhand | 6,407 |
| Nokrek* | 1988 | 2009 | Meghalaya | 820 |
| Gulf of Mannar* | 1989 | 2001 | Tamil Nadu | 10,500 |
| Sundarbans* | 1989 | 2001 | West Bengal | 9,630 |
| Manas | 1989 | — | Assam | 2,837 |
| Great Nicobar* | 1989 | 2013 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 885 |
| Similipal* | 1994 | 2009 | Odisha | 5,569 |
| Dibru-Saikhowa | 1997 | — | Assam | 765 |
| Dehang-Dibang | 1998 | — | Arunachal Pradesh | 5,112 |
| Pachmarhi* | 1999 | 2009 | Madhya Pradesh | 4,982 |
| Khangchendzonga* | 2000 | 2018 | Sikkim | 2,931 |
| Agasthyamalai* | 2001 | 2016 | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | 3,500 |
| Achanakmar-Amarkantak* | 2005 | 2012 | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh | 3,835 |
| Great Rann of Kutch | 2008 | — | Gujarat | 12,454 |
| Cold Desert* | 2009 | 2025 | Himachal Pradesh | 7,770 |
| Seshachalam | 2010 | — | Andhra Pradesh | 4,756 |
| Panna* | 2011 | 2020 | Madhya Pradesh | 2,999 |
* Included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Facts that are asked often
- First: Nilgiri (1986), spread over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka; it was also the first Indian reserve in the UNESCO network (2000).
- Largest: Great Rann of Kutch (12,454 sq km), then Gulf of Mannar (10,500 sq km) and Sundarbans (9,630 sq km). Smallest: Dibru-Saikhowa (765 sq km).
- Latest in UNESCO network: Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh (2025), covering high-altitude Spiti and parts of Lahaul at 3,300 to 6,600 metres.
- Not in UNESCO network (5): Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehang-Dibang, Great Rann of Kutch and Seshachalam.
- Madhya Pradesh has the most UNESCO-listed reserves: Pachmarhi, Panna and Achanakmar-Amarkantak (shared with Chhattisgarh).
- Marine reserves: Gulf of Mannar (corals, dugong) and Sundarbans (mangroves, tiger); Great Nicobar covers island rainforests.
How India supports them
- The Environment Ministry runs the centrally sponsored Biodiversity Conservation sub-scheme under the umbrella scheme Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems.
- Grants-in-aid go to States for activities in each reserve’s management plan, implemented by State Forest Departments.
- India is one of 17 mega-diverse countries, with about 7–8% of recorded species on 2.4% of Earth’s land area.
Critical Analysis
The Biosphere Reserve model is strong on paper because it accepts that people live in and depend on these landscapes. But without a law behind them, reserves depend on overlapping protected areas for real protection, and their transition zones often face roads, mining or tourism pressure with little legal check. Funding through a single sub-scheme is modest compared with the size of the reserves. UNESCO’s own mapping also warns that about 40% of biosphere reserves may face more extreme climate events by 2050.
Way Forward
- Give Biosphere Reserves clearer legal recognition, at least for zoning, so that transition areas are planned rather than left open.
- Link reserve management with Forest Rights Act, 2006 rights and Biodiversity Management Committees under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- Seek UNESCO listing for the five remaining reserves, which brings international review and research partnerships.
- Add climate risk assessments to management plans.
Biosphere Reserves show that conservation and livelihoods can be planned together. For the exam, learn the zones, the first, largest and newest reserves, and which five are outside the UNESCO network.
Key Facts for Prelims
- UNESCO MAB Programme: 1971; International Day for Biosphere Reserves: 3 November.
- India: 18 notified Biosphere Reserves; 13 in UNESCO’s World Network.
- First: Nilgiri (1986); largest: Great Rann of Kutch; smallest: Dibru-Saikhowa.
- Latest UNESCO inclusion: Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh (2025); before that Panna (2020).
- Zones: core, buffer, transition (global averages about 18%, 30%, 52%).
- No separate law for Biosphere Reserves in India.
Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following Biosphere Reserves of India is NOT included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves?
- Panna
- Similipal
- Seshachalam
- Agasthyamalai
Show answer
Answer: (c) Seshachalam (Andhra Pradesh) is not in the UNESCO network. The other non-listed reserves are Manas, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehang-Dibang and Great Rann of Kutch.
Q2. Consider the following statements about Biosphere Reserves:
1. Human settlements are permitted in the transition area.
2. Biosphere Reserves in India are notified under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (a) Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Biosphere Reserves have no separate statutory basis; National Parks and Sanctuaries are notified under the 1972 Act.
Q. Biosphere Reserves seek to reconcile conservation with development. Examine how far this model has succeeded in India and suggest improvements. (15 marks, 250 words)
Approach: Introduce the MAB concept and India’s 18 reserves. In the body, cover the zonation model, community participation, the lack of a legal basis, development pressures in transition zones, funding and climate risk. Conclude with reforms linking reserves to forest rights and biodiversity laws.
FAQs
How many Biosphere Reserves are there in India?
India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves, of which 13 are part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, the highest number in South Asia.
Which is the largest Biosphere Reserve in India?
The Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is the largest Biosphere Reserve in India at about 12,454 sq km, followed by the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu at 10,500 sq km.
Which was the latest Indian Biosphere Reserve added to UNESCO’s network?
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh, notified nationally in 2009, was included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2025.
How is a Biosphere Reserve different from a National Park?
A National Park is a legally protected area under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 with strict limits on human use, while a Biosphere Reserve has no separate law and allows settlements and sustainable use in its transition area.
हिंदी सारांश
जैवमंडल आरक्षित क्षेत्र ऐसे क्षेत्र हैं जिन्हें जैव विविधता संरक्षण के साथ सतत विकास के लिए चिह्नित किया जाता है। यूनेस्को का मानव और जैवमंडल कार्यक्रम 1971 में शुरू हुआ। भारत में 18 अधिसूचित जैवमंडल आरक्षित क्षेत्र हैं, जिनमें से 13 यूनेस्को के विश्व नेटवर्क में शामिल हैं। पहला नीलगिरि (1986) था, सबसे बड़ा कच्छ का महान रण है, और शीत मरुस्थल 2025 में यूनेस्को नेटवर्क में जुड़ा। प्रत्येक आरक्षित क्षेत्र में कोर, बफ़र और संक्रमण क्षेत्र होते हैं। हर वर्ष 3 नवंबर को अंतरराष्ट्रीय जैवमंडल आरक्षित क्षेत्र दिवस मनाया जाता है।
Sources: PIB Backgrounder: Biosphere Reserves in India (2 Nov 2026).
Related reading on GSMitra: All PIB Backgrounders explained for UPSC, UPSC Prelims Current Affairs 2 November 2026, PIB News Today for UPSC: 3 November 2026.
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