Biosphere Reserves of India
APSC Geography/Environment Notes
Biosphere reserves are the protected areas meant for the conservation of plants and animals. It also restores the traditional life of the tribal people living in that nearby areas. They conserve the biodiversity of that area.
There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India established by the government that protect large areas of natural habitats. These areas are provided with the buffer zones that are open for some economic uses. Not only the flora and fauna but also the humans inhabiting these areas are protected.
The Biosphere Reserves are identified by the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program to promote sustainable development. This program was initiated by UNESCO in 1971. These regions of environmental protection roughly correspond to IUCN Category V Protected areas.
List of Biosphere Reserves of India
| Sl. No | Year | Name | State | Type | Key Fauna |
| 1 | 2008 | Great Rann of Kutch | Gujarat | Desert | Indian Wild Ass |
| 2 | 1989 | Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu | Coasts | Dugong or Sea Cow |
| 3 | 1989 | Sundarbans | West Bengal | Gangetic Delta | Royal Bengal Tiger |
| 4 | 2009 | Cold Desert | Himachal Pradesh | Western Himalayas | Snow Leopard |
| 5 | 1988 | Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand | Western Himalayas | NA |
| 6 | 1986 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka | Western Ghats | Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed macaque |
| 7 | 1998 | Dihang-Dibang | Arunachal Pradesh | Eastern Himalaya | NA |
| 8 | 1999 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | Semi-Arid | Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel |
| 9 | 2010 | Seshachalam Hills | Andhra Pradesh | Eastern Ghats | NA |
| 10 | 1994 | Simlipal | Odisha | Deccan Peninsula | Gaur, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild elephant |
| 11 | 2005 | Achanakamar -Amarkantak | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh | Maikala Hills | NA |
| 12 | 1989 | Manas | Assam | East Himalayas | Golden Langur, Red Panda |
| 13 | 2000 | Khangchendzonga | Sikkim | East Himalayas | Snow Leopard, Red Panda |
| 14 | 2001 | Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Western ghats | Nilgiri Tahr, Elephants |
| 15 | 1989 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Islands | Saltwater Crocodile |
| 16 | 1988 | Nokrek | Meghalaya | East Himalayas | Red Panda |
| 17 | 1997 | Dibru-Saikhowa | Assam | East Himalayas | Golden Langur |
| 18 | 2011 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | Ken River | Tiger, Chital, Chinkara, Sambharand Sloth bear |
Biosphere Reserves of India in World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Nine of the eighteen biosphere reserves of India are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.
Differences between Biosphere Reserves, National Park and Wild Life Sactuaries
Biosphere Reserves are the biggest entity among the three. The level of restriction in the increasing order is Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks. The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves of India, roughly corresponding to IUCN Category V Protected areas.
India has over 441 animal sanctuaries, referred to as Wildlife sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV Protected Area).
The National parks of India are IUCN category II protected areas. As of April 2012, there were 102 national parks in India and more parks on the process of getting commissioned.