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{{Short description|National biosphere reserves of India}}
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Wildlife of India}}
{{Wildlife of India}}
The Indian government has established 18 biosphere reserves<ref name="MOEF 2011">{{cite web |url=http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/biosphere.pdf |title=Biosphere Reserves in India |publisher=Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |date=2019 |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref> (categories roughly correspondingly to [[IUCN]] Category V [[Protected areas]]) to protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical [[national park]] or [[animal sanctuary]], and that often include one or more national parks or reserves, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the [[flora]] and [[fauna]] of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life.
There are 18 [[biosphere reserves]] in India.
<ref name="MOEF 2011">{{cite web |url=http://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/biosphere.pdf |title=Biosphere Reserves in India |publisher=Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |date=2019 |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref> They protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical [[national park]] or [[animal sanctuary]], and often include one or more national parks or reserves, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the [[flora]] and [[fauna]] of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. In total there are 18 biosphere reserves in India.


==World network==
==World network==
Twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]], based on the [[UNESCO]] [[Man and the Biosphere]] (MAB) Programme list.<ref name="MOEF 2011"/><ref name="UNESCO 2012"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/mab/BRs/AsiaBRlist.shtml#I |title=Man and the Biosphere Programme |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>
Thirteen of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]], based on the [[UNESCO]] [[Man and the Biosphere]] (MAB) Programme list.<ref name="MOEF 2011"/><ref name="UNESCO 2012"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/mab/BRs/AsiaBRlist.shtml#I |title=Man and the Biosphere Programme |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
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|-
|-
|3
|3
| [[Sundarbans]] Biosphere Reserve || [[West Bengal]] || 2001
| [[Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve]] || [[West Bengal]] || 2001
|-
|-
|4
|4
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|-
|-
|8
|8
| [[Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve]] ||[[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman & Nicobar Islands]]|| 2013
| [[Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve]] || [[Chhattisgarh]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]] || 2012<ref name="UNESCO 2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/rio-20/single-view/news/20_new_biosphere_reserves_added_to_unescos_man_and_the_bi/ |title=20 new Biosphere Reserves added to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme |publisher=UNESCO |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
|9
|9
| [[Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve]] || [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]  || 2012<ref name="UNESCO 2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/rio-20/single-view/news/20_new_biosphere_reserves_added_to_unescos_man_and_the_bi/ |title=20 new Biosphere Reserves added to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme |publisher=UNESCO |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=5 February 2020}}</ref>
| [[Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve]] ||[[Andaman and Nicobar Islands|Andaman & Nicobar Islands]]|| 2013
|-
|-
|10
|10
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|-
|-
|12
|12
| [[Panna National Park|Panna]] Biosphere Reserve || [[Madhya Pradesh]] || 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Panna Biosphere Reserve, India |url=https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/aspac/panna |website=UNESCO |access-date=28 January 2022 |language=en |date=12 November 2020}}</ref>
| [[Panna Biosphere Reserve]] || [[Madhya Pradesh]] || 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Panna Biosphere Reserve, India |url=https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/aspac/panna |website=UNESCO |access-date=28 January 2022 |language=en |date=12 November 2020}}</ref>
|-
|-
|13
| [[Cold Desert]] || [[Himachal Pradesh]] || 2025
|}
|}


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|+ Biosphere reserves of India<ref>[https://moef.gov.in/en/biosphere-reserves/ Biosphere Reserves] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.</ref>
|+ Biosphere reserves of India<ref>[https://moef.gov.in/en/biosphere-reserves/ Biosphere Reserves] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.</ref>
|-
|-
! !! Year !! Name !! Location !! State !! Type !! Key fauna !! Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! !! Year !! Name !! Location !! State/UT !! Type !! Key fauna !! Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
|-
|-
|1
|1
|1986 || [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]] || Part of [[Waynad]], [[Nagarhole]], [[Bandipur National Park|Bandipur]] and [[Mudumalai National Park|Mudumalai]], [[Nilambur]], [[Silent Valley National Park|Silent Valley]] || [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]] || [[Western Ghats]] ||[[Nilgiri tahr]], [[tiger]], [[lion-tailed macaque]]|| align="right" | 5520
|1986
|| [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]] || Part of [[Waynad]], [[Nagarhole]], [[Bandipur National Park|Bandipur]] and [[Mudumalai National Park|Mudumalai]], [[Mukurthi National Park|Mukurthi]],  [[Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve|Sathyamangalam]],  [[Nilambur]], [[Silent Valley National Park|Silent Valley]] || [[Karnataka]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]] || [[Western Ghats]] ||[[Nilgiri tahr]], [[tiger]], [[Asian elephant]] [[lion-tailed macaque]]|| align="right" | 5520
|-
|-
|2
|2
|1988 || [[Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve]]
|1988 || [[Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve]] || Parts of [[Chamoli District]], [[Pithoragarh District]] & [[Bageshwar District]] || [[Uttarakhand]] || [[Western Himalayas]] ||[[Snow leopard]], [[Himalayan black bear]] || align="right" | 5860
|| Parts of [[Chamoli District]], [[Pithoragarh District]] & [[Bageshwar District]] || [[Uttarakhand]] || Western [[Himalayas]] ||[[Snow leopard]], [[Himalayan black bear]] || align="right" | 5860
|-
|-
|3
|3
|1989 || [[Gulf of Mannar]] || Indian part of [[Gulf of Mannar]] extending from [[Rameswaram]] island in the north to [[Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari]] in the south of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka || [[Tamil Nadu]] || [[Coasts]] ||[[Dugong]] || align="right" | 10500
|1988 || [[Nokrek National Park|Nokrek]] || In [[West Garo Hills]] || [[Meghalaya]] || [[Eastern hills]]||[[Red panda]]|| align="right" | 820.00&nbsp;
|-
|-
|4
|4
|1988 || [[Nokrek]] || In [[west Garo Hills]] || [[Meghalaya]] || [[Eastern hills]] ||[[Red panda]]|| align="right" | 820.00&nbsp;
|1989 || [[Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve]] || Indian part of [[Gulf of Mannar]] extending from [[Rameswaram]] island in the north to [[Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari]] in the south of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka || [[Tamil Nadu]] || [[Coasts]] ||[[Dugong]] || align="right" | 10500
|-
|-
|5
|5
Line 72: Line 75:
|-
|-
|6
|6
|1989 || [[Manas National Park|Manas]] || Part of [[Kokrajhar district|Kokrajhar]], [[Bongaigaon district|Bongaigaon]], [[Barpeta district|Barpeta]], [[Nalbari district|Nalbari]], [[Kamrup district|Kamrup]] and [[Darrang District]]s || [[Assam]] || [[Eastern Hills]] ||[[Asiatic elephant]], tiger, [[Assam roofed turtle]], [[hispid hare]], [[golden langur]], [[pygmy hog]]|| align="right" | 2837
|1989 || [[Manas National Park|Manas]] || Part of [[Kokrajhar district|Kokrajhar]], [[Bongaigaon district|Bongaigaon]], [[Barpeta district|Barpeta]], [[Nalbari district|Nalbari]], [[Kamrup district|Kamrup]] and [[Darrang District]]s || [[Assam]] || [[Eastern Hills]]||[[Asiatic elephant]], tiger, [[Assam roofed turtle]], [[hispid hare]], [[golden langur]], [[pygmy hog]]|| align="right" | 2837
|-
|-
|7
|7
|1994 || [[Similipal National Park|Simlipal]] || Part of [[Mayurbhanj district]] || [[Odisha]] || [[Deccan Peninsula]] ||[[Gaur]], [[royal Bengal tiger]], [[Asian elephant]]|| align="right" | 4374
|1989 || [[Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve]] || Southernmost of the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] || [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] || [[Islands]] ||[[Saltwater crocodile]]|| align="right" | 885
|-
|-
|8
|8
|1998 || [[Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve|Dihang-Dibang]] || Part of [[Siang Valley|Siang]] and [[Dibang Valley]] || [[Arunachal Pradesh]] || [[Eastern Himalaya]] ||[[Mishmi takin]], [[musk deer]]|| align="right" | 5112
|1994 || [[Similipal National Park|Simlipal]] || Part of [[Mayurbhanj district]] || [[Odisha]] || [[Deccan Peninsula]] ||[[Gaur]], [[royal Bengal tiger]], [[Asian elephant]]|| align="right" | 4374
|-
|-
|9
|9
|1999 || [[Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve]] || Parts of [[Betul District]], [[Hoshangabad District]] and [[Chhindwara District]] || [[Madhya Pradesh]] || [[Semi-Arid]] ||[[Giant squirrel]], [[flying squirrel]]|| align="right" | 4981.72
|1997 || [[Dibru-Saikhowa]] || Part of [[Dibrugarh district|Dibrugarh]] and [[Tinsukia district]]s || [[Assam]] || [[Eastern Hills]]||[[White-winged wood duck]], [[water buffalo]], [[black-breasted parrotbill]], tiger, [[capped langur]] || align="right" | 765
|-
|-
|10
|10
|2005 || [[Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve]] || Part of [[Anuppur District|Annupur]], [[Dindori District|Dindori]] and [[Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh|Bilaspur]] districts || [[Madhya Pradesh]], Chhattisgarh || [[Maikala Hills]] ||[[Four-horned antelope]], [[Indian wild dog]], [[sarus crane]], [[white-rumped vulture]], [[Raorchestes sanctisilvaticus|sacred grove bush frog]]|| align="right" | 3835
|1998 || [[Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve|Dihang-Dibang]] || Part of [[Siang Valley|Siang]] and [[Dibang Valley]] || [[Arunachal Pradesh]] || [[Eastern Himalaya]] ||[[Mishmi takin]], [[musk deer]]|| align="right" | 5112
|-
|-
|11
|11
|2008 || [[Great Rann of Kutch]] || Part of [[Kutch district|Kutch]], [[Morbi district|Morbi]],  [[Surendranagar]] and Patan districts; the largest biosphere reserve in India.||[[Gujarat]] || [[Desert]] || [[Indian wild ass]] || align="right" | 12454
|1999 || [[Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve]] || Parts of [[Betul District]], [[Hoshangabad District]] and [[Chhindwara District]] || [[Madhya Pradesh]] || [[Semi-Arid]]||[[Giant squirrel]], [[flying squirrel]]|| align="right" | 4981.72
|-
|-
|12
|12
|2009 || [[Cold Desert]] || [[Pin Valley National Park]] and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary|| [[Himachal Pradesh]] || Western [[Himalayas]] ||[[Snow leopard]]|| align="right" | 7770
|2000 || [[Khangchendzonga National Park]] || Parts of [[Kangchenjunga]] || [[Sikkim]] || [[Eastern Himalayas]] ||[[Snow leopard]], [[red panda]]|| align="right" | 2620
|-
|-
|13
|13
|2018 || [[Khangchendzonga National Park]] || Parts of [[Kangchenjunga]] || [[Sikkim]] || [[East Himalayas]] ||[[Snow leopard]], [[red panda]]|| align="right" | 2620
|2001 || [[Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve]] || [[Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary|Neyyar]], [[Peppara]] and [[Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve]] and their adjoining areas || [[Kerala]] and [[Tamil Nadu]] || [[Western Ghats]] ||[[Nilgiri tahr]], [[Bengal tiger]], [[Asian elephant]]|| align="right" | 3500.08
|-
|-
|14
|14
|2016 || [[Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve]] || [[Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary|Neyyar]], [[Peppara]] and [[Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary]] and their adjoining areas || [[Kerala]], [[Tamil Nadu]] || [[Western Ghats]] ||[[Nilgiri tahr]], [[Asian elephant]]|| align="right" | 3500.08
|2005 || [[Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve]] || Part of [[Anuppur District|Annupur]], [[Dindori District|Dindori]] and [[Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh|Bilaspur]] districts || [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Chhattisgarh]] || [[Maikala Hills|Maikal Hills]]||[[Four-horned antelope]], [[Indian wild dog]], [[sarus crane]], [[white-rumped vulture]], [[Raorchestes sanctisilvaticus|sacred grove bush frog]]|| align="right" | 3835.51
|-
|-
|15
|15
|2013 || [[Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve]] || Southernmost of the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] || [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] || [[Islands]] ||[[Saltwater crocodile]]|| align="right" | 885
|2008 || [[Great Rann of Kutch]] || Part of [[Kutch district|Kutch]], [[Morbi district|Morbi]], [[Surendranagar]] and Patan districts; the largest biosphere reserve in India.||[[Gujarat]] || [[Desert]] || [[Indian wild ass]] || align="right" | 12454
|-
|-
|16
|16
|1997 || [[Dibru-Saikhowa]] || Part of [[Dibrugarh district|Dibrugarh]] and [[Tinsukia district]]s || [[Assam]] || [[Eastern Hills]] ||[[White-winged wood duck]], [[water buffalo]], [[black-breasted parrotbill]], tiger, [[capped langur]] || align="right" | 765
|2009 || [[Cold Desert]] || [[Pin Valley National Park]] and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary|| [[Himachal Pradesh]] || [[Western Himalayas]] ||[[Snow leopard]]|| align="right" | 7770
|-
|-
|17
|17
|2010 || [[Seshachalam Hills]] || Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
|2010
|[[Eastern Hills]]
|| [[Seshachalam Hills biosphere]]|| Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts || [[Andhra Pradesh]]
|[[Slender loris]] || align="right" | 4755.997<ref name=envis>{{cite web |url=http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/BiosphereReserves_8225.aspx |title=Biosphere Reserves in India (as on Dec, 2014) |date=December 2014 |access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
|[[Eastern Ghats]]|| [[Slender loris]] || align="right" | 4755.997<ref name=envis>{{cite web |url=http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/BiosphereReserves_8225.aspx |title=Biosphere Reserves in India (as on Dec, 2014) |date=December 2014 |access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
|
|-
|-
|18
|18
|2020 || [[Panna National Park|Panna]] || Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh || [[Madhya Pradesh]]
|2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation |url=https://epco.mp.gov.in/panna-bio-reserves |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=epco.mp.gov.in}}</ref>
|| [[Panna National Park|Panna]] || Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh || [[Madhya Pradesh]]
|Moist deciduous forest  
|Moist deciduous forest  
|Bengal tiger, Chinkara, Nilgai, Sambhar, and Sloth bear
|[[Bengal tiger]], [[Chinkara]], [[Nilgai]], [[sambar deer]], and [[Sloth bear]]
| align="right" | 2998.98<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/travelnews/story/70818/panna-tiger-reserve-gets-unescos-biosphere-reserve-status |title=Panna Tiger Reserve gets UNESCO’s ‘Biosphere Reserve’ Status |publisher=[[Outlook India]] |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
| align="right" | 2998.98<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/travelnews/story/70818/panna-tiger-reserve-gets-unescos-biosphere-reserve-status |title=Panna Tiger Reserve gets UNESCO's 'Biosphere Reserve' Status |publisher=[[Outlook India]] |date=7 November 2020 |access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref>
|}
 
== Key fauna ==
{| class="wikitable" style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! Name
! Key Fauna
|-
| [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]]
| [[Lion-tailed macaque|Lion Tailed Macaque]] (EN), [[Nilgiri tahr|Nilgiri Tahr]] (EN), [[Indian giant squirrel|Malabar Giant Squirrel]] (LC),  [[Nilgiri langur|Nilgiri Langur]] (VU)
|-
| [[Nanda Devi National Park|Nanda Devi]]
| [[Snow leopard|Snow Leopard]] (VU), [[Musk deer|Musk Deer]] (EN), [[Bharal]] Or [[Bharal|Blue Sheep]] (LC)
|-
| [[Nokrek National Park|Nokrek]]
| [[Red panda|Red Panda]] (EN), [[Hoolock gibbon|Hoolock Gibbons]] (EN), [[Red giant flying squirrel|Red Giant Flying Squirrel]] (LC)
|-
| [[Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve|Great Nicobar]]
| [[Dugong]] (VU), [[Saltwater crocodile|Saltwater Crocodile]] (LC)
|-
| [[Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park|Gulf of Mannar]]
| [[Dugong]] (VU), [[Olive ridley sea turtle|Olive Ridley turtles]] (VU)
|-
| [[Manas National Park|Manas]]
| [[Assam roofed turtle|Assam Roofed Turtle]] (EN), [[Hispid hare|Hispid Hare]] (EN), [[Gee's golden langur|Golden Langur]] (EN), [[Pygmy hog|Pygmy Hog]] (EN), [[Wild water buffalo|Wild Water Buffalo]] (EN), [[Bengal florican]] (CR)
|-
| [[Sundarbans National Park|Sunderbans]]
| [[Bengal tiger|Royal Bengal Tiger]] (EN)
|-
| [[Simlipal National Park|Simlipal]]
| [[Bengal tiger|Royal Bengal Tigers]], [[Indian elephant|Wild Elephants]] (EN), [[Gaur]]s (VU – [[Gaur|Indian Bison]]),  [[Four-horned antelope|Chausingha]] (VU)
|-
| [[Dibru-Saikhowa National Park|Dibru-Saikhowa]]
| [[Bengal tiger|Bengal Tiger]], [[Clouded leopard|Clouded Leopard]] (VU), [[South Asian river dolphin|Gangetic Dolphin]] (EN)
|-
| [[Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve|Dehang-Debang]]
| [[Takin]] (VU), [[Red panda|Red Panda]] (EN)
|-
| [[Pachmarhi]]
| [[Tiger]], [[Gaur]], [[Indian giant flying squirrel|Indian Giant Flying Squirrels]] (LC)
|-
| [[Khangchendzonga National Park|Khangchendzonga]]
| [[Red panda|Red Panda]] (EN), [[Snow leopard|Snow Leopard]] (VU), [[Musk deer|Musk Deer]] (EN), [[Argali|Great Tibetan Sheep]]  (Argali – NT)
|-
| [[Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve|Agasthyamalai]]
| [[Nilgiri tahr|Nilgiri Tahr]] (EN)
|-
| [[Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve|Achanakamar - Amarkantak]]
| [[Four-horned antelope|Four Horned Antelope]] ([[Four-horned antelope|Chausingha]] (VU)), [[Ussuri dhole|Indian Wild Dog]] (VU)
|-
| [[Great Rann of Kutch]] (Kachchh)
| [[Great Indian bustard|Great Indian Bustard]] (CR), [[Indian wild ass|Indian Wild Ass]] (NT)
|-
| [[Cold Desert (biosphere reserve)|Cold Desert]]
| [[Snow leopard|Snow Leopard]] (VU), [[Siberian ibex|Himalayan Ibex]] (also referred to as Siberian Ibex – LC)
|-
| [[Seshachalam Hills]]
| Red Sanders (NT), [[Golden gecko|Golden Gecko]] (LC – Endemic To Tirumala Hills)
|-
|-
| [[Panna National Park|Panna]]
| [[Tiger]] (EN), [[Chital]] (LC), [[Chinkara]] (LC), [[Sambar deer|Sambar]] (VU)
|}
|}


== Potential sites ==
== Potential sites ==
The following is a list of potential sites for Biosphere Reserves as selected by Ministry of Forests and Environment:<ref>{{cite web |title=Status of Biosphere reserves in India |url=http://envfor.nic.in/news/janmar08/environews_jan_mar08.pdf |date=January–March 2008|page=9 |publisher=ENVIRO NEWS, Ministry of Environment and Forests |volume=14|access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130120033254/http://envfor.nic.in/news/janmar08/environews_jan_mar08.pdf |archive-date = 20 January 2013}}</ref>
The following is a list of potential sites for [[Biosphere Reserve]]s as selected by Ministry of Forests and Environment:<ref>{{cite web |title=Status of Biosphere reserves in India |url=http://envfor.nic.in/news/janmar08/environews_jan_mar08.pdf |date=January–March 2008|page=9 |publisher=ENVIRO NEWS, Ministry of Environment and Forests |volume=14|access-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130120033254/http://envfor.nic.in/news/janmar08/environews_jan_mar08.pdf |archive-date = 20 January 2013}}</ref>


* [[Abujmarh]], Chhattisgarh
* [[Abujmarh]], Chhattisgarh
Line 133: Line 196:
* [[Tawang]] and [[West Kameng]], Arunachal Pradesh
* [[Tawang]] and [[West Kameng]], Arunachal Pradesh
* [[Thar Desert]], Rajasthan
* [[Thar Desert]], Rajasthan
* [[Tadoba National Park]] and [[Sanjay Gandhi National Park]], Maharashtra
* [[Tadoba National Park]] and [[Sanjay Gandhi National Park]],  
Maharashtra
*[[Bhitarkanika]],Kendrapara,Odisha


==See also==
==See also==
Line 148: Line 213:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Biosphere reserves of India|<br />Biosphere reserves of India}}
{{Commons category|Biosphere reserves in India}}
*{{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20040509084830/http://www.wii.gov.in/nwdc/biosphere.htm |title=Wildlife Institute of India webpage on India's Biosphere Reserves |date=9 May 2004}}
*{{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20040509084830/http://www.wii.gov.in/nwdc/biosphere.htm |title=Wildlife Institute of India webpage on India's Biosphere Reserves |date=9 May 2004}}
*{{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011125100208/http%3A//www.wcmc.org.uk/igcmc/parks/un93.html |title=United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas: India (1993) |date=25 November 2001}}
*{{webarchive |url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011125100208/http%3A//www.wcmc.org.uk/igcmc/parks/un93.html |title=United Nations List of National Parks and Protected Areas: India (1993) |date=25 November 2001}}
*[https://generalknowledgeplus.com/18-biosphere-reserve-in-india-unesco-world-network/ Biosphere reserves of India]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060720181057/http://www.envfor.nic.in/report/0102/chap03.html Ministry of Environment and Forests]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060720181057/http://www.envfor.nic.in/report/0102/chap03.html Ministry of Environment and Forests]


Latest revision as of 06:16, 22 January 2026


Template:Wildlife of India There are 18 biosphere reserves in India. [1] They protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical national park or animal sanctuary, and often include one or more national parks or reserves, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. In total there are 18 biosphere reserves in India.

World network[edit | edit source]

Thirteen of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.[1][2][3]

# Name States/ UT Year
1 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka 2000
2 Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu 2001
3 Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve West Bengal 2001
4 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Uttarakhand 2004
5 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Meghalaya 2009
6 Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Madhya Pradesh 2009
7 Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Odisha 2009
8 Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh 2012[2]
9 Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2013
10 Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Kerala and Tamil Nadu 2016[4]
11 Khangchendzonga National Park Sikkim 2018[5]
12 Panna Biosphere Reserve Madhya Pradesh 2020[6]
13 Cold Desert Himachal Pradesh 2025

List of biosphere reserves in India[edit | edit source]

Biosphere reserves of India[7]
Year Name Location State/UT Type Key fauna Area (km2)
1 1986 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Part of Waynad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Sathyamangalam, Nilambur, Silent Valley Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala Western Ghats Nilgiri tahr, tiger, Asian elephant lion-tailed macaque 5520
2 1988 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Parts of Chamoli District, Pithoragarh District & Bageshwar District Uttarakhand Western Himalayas Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear 5860
3 1988 Nokrek In West Garo Hills Meghalaya Eastern hills Red panda 820.00 
4 1989 Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Indian part of Gulf of Mannar extending from Rameswaram island in the north to Kanyakumari in the south of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka Tamil Nadu Coasts Dugong 10500
5 1989 Sundarbans Part of delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system West Bengal Gangetic Delta Royal Bengal tiger 9630
6 1989 Manas Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup and Darrang Districts Assam Eastern Hills Asiatic elephant, tiger, Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, pygmy hog 2837
7 1989 Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Southernmost of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Andaman and Nicobar Islands Islands Saltwater crocodile 885
8 1994 Simlipal Part of Mayurbhanj district Odisha Deccan Peninsula Gaur, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant 4374
9 1997 Dibru-Saikhowa Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts Assam Eastern Hills White-winged wood duck, water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, capped langur 765
10 1998 Dihang-Dibang Part of Siang and Dibang Valley Arunachal Pradesh Eastern Himalaya Mishmi takin, musk deer 5112
11 1999 Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Parts of Betul District, Hoshangabad District and Chhindwara District Madhya Pradesh Semi-Arid Giant squirrel, flying squirrel 4981.72
12 2000 Khangchendzonga National Park Parts of Kangchenjunga Sikkim Eastern Himalayas Snow leopard, red panda 2620
13 2001 Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Neyyar, Peppara and Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and their adjoining areas Kerala and Tamil Nadu Western Ghats Nilgiri tahr, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant 3500.08
14 2005 Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve Part of Annupur, Dindori and Bilaspur districts Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Maikal Hills Four-horned antelope, Indian wild dog, sarus crane, white-rumped vulture, sacred grove bush frog 3835.51
15 2008 Great Rann of Kutch Part of Kutch, Morbi, Surendranagar and Patan districts; the largest biosphere reserve in India. Gujarat Desert Indian wild ass 12454
16 2009 Cold Desert Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary Himachal Pradesh Western Himalayas Snow leopard 7770
17 2010 Seshachalam Hills biosphere Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts Andhra Pradesh Eastern Ghats Slender loris 4755.997[8]
18 2011[9] Panna Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Moist deciduous forest Bengal tiger, Chinkara, Nilgai, sambar deer, and Sloth bear 2998.98[10]

Key fauna[edit | edit source]

Name Key Fauna
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Lion Tailed Macaque (EN), Nilgiri Tahr (EN), Malabar Giant Squirrel (LC), Nilgiri Langur (VU)
Nanda Devi Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (EN), Bharal Or Blue Sheep (LC)
Nokrek Red Panda (EN), Hoolock Gibbons (EN), Red Giant Flying Squirrel (LC)
Great Nicobar Dugong (VU), Saltwater Crocodile (LC)
Gulf of Mannar Dugong (VU), Olive Ridley turtles (VU)
Manas Assam Roofed Turtle (EN), Hispid Hare (EN), Golden Langur (EN), Pygmy Hog (EN), Wild Water Buffalo (EN), Bengal florican (CR)
Sunderbans Royal Bengal Tiger (EN)
Simlipal Royal Bengal Tigers, Wild Elephants (EN), Gaurs (VU – Indian Bison), Chausingha (VU)
Dibru-Saikhowa Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard (VU), Gangetic Dolphin (EN)
Dehang-Debang Takin (VU), Red Panda (EN)
Pachmarhi Tiger, Gaur, Indian Giant Flying Squirrels (LC)
Khangchendzonga Red Panda (EN), Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (EN), Great Tibetan Sheep (Argali – NT)
Agasthyamalai Nilgiri Tahr (EN)
Achanakamar - Amarkantak Four Horned Antelope (Chausingha (VU)), Indian Wild Dog (VU)
Great Rann of Kutch (Kachchh) Great Indian Bustard (CR), Indian Wild Ass (NT)
Cold Desert Snow Leopard (VU), Himalayan Ibex (also referred to as Siberian Ibex – LC)
Seshachalam Hills Red Sanders (NT), Golden Gecko (LC – Endemic To Tirumala Hills)
Panna Tiger (EN), Chital (LC), Chinkara (LC), Sambar (VU)

Potential sites[edit | edit source]

The following is a list of potential sites for Biosphere Reserves as selected by Ministry of Forests and Environment:[11]

Maharashtra

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Biosphere Reserves in India" (PDF). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "20 new Biosphere Reserves added to UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme". UNESCO. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Man and the Biosphere Programme". UNESCO. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "20 sites added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves". UNESCO. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  5. ↑ Mohan, Vishwa (8 August 2018). "Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve gets entry into the UNESCO's global list". The Economic Times (India). Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  6. ↑ "Panna Biosphere Reserve, India". UNESCO. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  7. ↑ Biosphere Reserves Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
  8. ↑ "Biosphere Reserves in India (as on Dec, 2014)". December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "The Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation". epco.mp.gov.in. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "Panna Tiger Reserve gets UNESCO's 'Biosphere Reserve' Status". Outlook India. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "Status of Biosphere reserves in India" (PDF). ENVIRO NEWS, Ministry of Environment and Forests. January–March 2008. p. 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.

External links[edit | edit source]

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