Biosphere Reserves: Origin, Structure, Functions & More

Biosphere Reserves are unique areas dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity while also promoting sustainable development and research on ecological systems. Recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, these reserves aim to balance the relationship between humans and nature. This article aims to study in detail the concept, origin, structure, and functions of biosphere reserves, emphasising their significance in conservation and sustainable development.

What are Biosphere Reserves?

• Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries and recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.
• These reserves comprise terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems.
• The purpose of forming biosphere reserves is to conserve all forms of life in situ, along with their support systems, in totality. They serve as a referral system for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems.

Origin of Biosphere Reserves

• UNESCO initiated the Biosphere Reserves programme in 1971, and the first biosphere reserve in the world was established in 1979.
• Since then, the network of biosphere reserves has increased to 686 in 122 countries worldwide, including 20 transboundary sites.
• National governments nominate biosphere reserves, which remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognised.

Structure of Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:

• Core Area: This comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.
• Buffer Zone: Surrounding or adjoining the core areas, this zone is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices, reinforcing scientific research, monitoring, training, and education.
• Transition Area: This part of the reserve allows for the greatest activity, fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.

Functions of Biosphere Reserves

• Biosphere reserves act as ‘Science for Sustainability’ support sites—special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and biodiversity management.

List of Biosphere Reserves in India

All the biosphere reserves in India have been mentioned in detail as follows:

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka)

• It is India’s first biosphere reserve.
• It is located at the meeting point of the Western and Eastern Ghats. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 2012. It includes Waynad, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai, Mukurthi, the Upper Nilgiri Plateau, and the Silent Valley protected areas.
• Vegetation: Thorn scrub forest, dry deciduous forest, moist deciduous forest, wet evergreen forest, shoals, grasslands, marshes and swamps. Woody climbers and epiphytes are also found here.
• Flora: Vanda, Liparis (Lily-leaved), Bulbophyllum (Medusa’s head orchid), Spiranthes (October ladies-tresses) and Thrixspermum (Chi-tou wind orchid). The common trees are sandal, Indian rosewood, jackfruit, jamun, ironwood, rhododendron, hill gooseberry, etc.
• Fauna: The Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, slender loris, blackbuck, tiger, gaur, Indian elephant, and marten are some of the animals found here. Freshwater fish such as Danio neilgheriensis (Pearl danio), Hypselobarbus Dubuis, and Puntius botanicals are restricted to the reserve.
• Threat: Human activities for development and unplanned tourism are threats to its biodiversity.

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand)

• It includes Nanda Devi Peak (7817m, India’s second highest peak) and Valley of Flowers National Parks. It is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was also listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2004.
• Vegetation: The major forest types of the Reserve are temperate forest, sub-alpine forest and alpine land.
• Flora: A few important species are Silverweed, Fairy candelabra, Fairy primrose, Salep orchid and Satsuki azalea
• Fauna: Mammals include Snow leopard, Black bear, Brown bear, Musk deer and Himalayan tahr. Endangered bird species include the monal pheasant, koalas pheasant, western tragopan, snow-cock, golden eagle, steppe eagle, black eagle and bearded vulture.
• Threats: The main threats are poaching, forest fires, and the collection of endangered plants for medicinal use.

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (Meghalaya)

• It is located in west Garo Hills, where Nokrek has the highest peak (1412m).
• It has also been listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
• Vegetation: The reserve’s vegetation can be broadly classified into tropical and subtropical types based on altitude. Tropical vegetation covers areas up to an elevation of about 1000 m and above.
• Flora: Grand rasamala, White meranti, Bamboo, Lali and Chempaka.
• Fauna: hoolock gibbon, binturong, stump-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, Himalayan black bear, tiger, leopard, elephant, Giant flying squirrel, etc.
• Threat: The region is facing excessive soil erosion due to Jhum cultivation.

Great Nicobar (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

• It is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago.
• It was also listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
• Vegetation: The Island presents a varied natural panorama covered with virgin lush, evergreen, dense tropical forests extending from the seacoast to the tip of the hills
• Flora: Ficus, Gallnut, Screw pine, Blume areca, Buddha’s coconut Morning glory, Nipa palm, White siris, Indian blackberry, Rudhrakhsa tree, Sea mohwa, Red mangrove, Large-leaved orange mangrove, Tagal mangrove, bamboo and canes.
• Fauna: Crab-eating macaque, Saltwater crocodile, Giant leatherback turtle, Malayan box turtle, Nicobar tree shrew, Nicobar megapode, reticulated python and the Giant robber crab.
• Threat: Aboriginal tribes of Shomphens and Nicobaris hunt wild animals, particularly the Andaman wild boar. Crocodile, turtle, and other wildlife poaching are the major threats.

Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu)

• The Gulf of Mannar Reserve is the first marine Biosphere Reserve established in India. It is situated along the southern coast of Tamilnadu and was also listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2001.
• The Biosphere Reserve includes the Gulf, the adjoining coasts, and the small islands dotting the gulf. 
• The reserve also includes a Marine National Park. In terms of Marine diversity, it is one of the richest regions of the world.
• Vegetation: The area is rich in seagrasses and has mangrove vegetation.
• Flora: Rhizophora (Red mangrove), Avicennia (Black mangrove), Bruguieria (Large-leaved orange mangrove), Ceriops (Tagal mangrove) and Lumnitzera (Sandy mangrove)
• Fauna: The reserve has productive beds of pearl oysters, prawn species, edible bivalves, sea anemones, ascidians, and the sea cow (Dugong dugon).
• Threat: The reserve is most threatened by illegal coral mining for cement industries and indiscriminate seagrass collection. 65% of the existing coral reefs in the area are dead, mostly due to human interference.

Manas Biosphere Reserve (Assam)

• It is also a UNESCO world Heritage site. It is famous for its tiger and Elephant reserves.
• Flora: Two major biomes are represented in Manas: the grassland biome (Savannah and Teri) and the forest biome (Bengal rain forests).
• Fauna: The reserve is known for many rare and endemic wildlife, including the Assam-roofed turtle, Red Panda, Hispid Hare, golden langur, Pygmy Hog, and Wild water buffalo.
• Threats: Excessive dependence of the Bodo community on the reserve. Other threats include soil erosion, weed infestation and trans-border management.

Sunderban Biosphere Reserve (West Bengal)

• Sundarbans derives its name due to the abundance of Sundari trees found here.
• It is located in the estuaries of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.
• Along with Bangladesh, it is the largest contiguous area of Mangrove forest.
• It is the largest and only mangrove reserve in the world, inhabited by tigers. This reserve includes the Royal Bengal Tiger Reserve, Sundarban National Park, and three wildlife sanctuaries: Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, Lothian Island Wildlife Sanctuary, and Haliday Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Vegetation: Tropical humid forests and mangroves are the major ecosystem types of the reserve.
• Flora: Avicennia alba, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal and Rhizophora apiculata are the major species.
• Fauna: Tiger, Saltwater crocodile, Fishing Cat, Indian Leopard cat, Yellow monitor, Olive ridley sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle and Green sea turtle.
• Threat: Excess fishing, aquaculture practices and timber and firewood harvesting are the main threats here.

Panna Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

• The reserve is situated in the Vindhyan mountain range.
• It includes three protected areas: Panna National Park, Gangau & Ken-Gharial sanctuaries.
• Apart from Tigers, the reserve hosts many important animals, such as leopards, nilgai, chinkaras, chousing, chitals, rusty-spotted cats, porcupines, and sambhars.
• Threats: Poaching of wildlife, including Tigers, is a major concern. The recently approved Ken-Betwa river linking project may submerge a large tract of the reserve.

Simplipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha)

• It derives its name from the Simli plant.
• It is also a Tiger reserve famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger and part of the Similipal-Kuldiha—Hadgarh Elephant Reserve, popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.
• It was also listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
• Vegetation: Tropical semi-evergreen, tropical moist deciduous hill forest, grassland and savannah.
• Flora: Myrobalan, Dalbergea sisso, Champak, Shorea robusta (Sal tree) and Madhuca sp.(India butter tree)
• Fauna: elephant, tiger and leopard, fishing cat, four-horned antelope, rudy mongoose, red-breasted falconets and grey-headed fishing eagle.
• Threats: Forest fires, firewood collection, poaching, Akhand shikar (an annual poaching festival by tribes), and tribes’ excessive dependence on the reserve are posing great threats to its biodiversity.

Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (Assam)

• It is situated on the bank of the Brahmaputra river in the Assam state.
• Vegetation: It is mainly comprised of semi-evergreen, deciduous, littoral, and swamp forests.
• Flora: The major flora are India willow, Blume Javanese bishop wood, Hondapara tree, Red silk cotton tree, Landia, Indian seaside oak, Taungpienne, Indian rose chestnut, Dalbergia Sissoo, and Ficus.
• Fauna: Mammals include Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, jungle cat, sloth bear, golden jackal, dole, Small Indian civet, mongoose, common otter, Indian hare, pangolin, Himalayan mole, ground shrew, Gangetic dolphin, slow loris, capped langur, hoolock gibbon, Asian elephant, feral horses, wild boar, sambar, hog deer, barking deer and Asiatic water buffalo.
• Threat: The main threat here is an annual flood. Excessive grazing and siltation are also changing the habitat quality.

Dihang – Dibang Biosphere Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh)

• The reserve is heavily forested and the last home to many Himalayan species. It forms a part of the world’s “Biodiversity Hot spots”.
• Endemic fauna here includes tree fern, Begonia and Lady’s slipper orchid.
• It is also endemic to red pandas, Himalayan black bears, green pit vipers, and takines.
• Vegetation: sub-tropical broad-leaved, sub-tropical pine, temperate broad-leaved, temperate conifer, sub-alpine woody shrub, alpine meadow (monton), bamboo brakes and grassland.
• Flora: Rare orchid Vanda and 50 species of Rhododendron are found here.
• Fauna: Mammals include leopards, snow leopards, golden cats, jungle cats, marbled cats, and leopard cats. The critically endangered musk deer also lives at these elevations, but it is confined to thick forest areas.
• Threat: Poaching and collection of medicinal plants are the main threats here.

Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)

• It is also known as the ‘Queen of Satpura’ because it contains valleys, marshes, streams, and waterfalls, which have led to the development of unique biodiversity.
• This reserve encompasses three wildlife conservation units viz. Bori Sanctuary, Pachmarhi Sanctuary and Satpura National Park
• The reserve also has many cave shelters of great archaeological interest, with rock paintings of several thousand years old.
• It was also listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
• Flora: The most important flora here includes Teak and Sal. Whisk Fern, Sandbar willow stalked adder’s tongue fern, and Tree fern are also found here.
• Fauna: Common birds found in the reserve are red jungle fowl, Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush and paradise flycatcher.
• Threat: The major threats here are Poaching and collecting rare, endemic, and medicinal plants by various groups.

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim)

• As Khangchendzonga Peak exists within the reserve, it is one of the highest altitude reserves in the world.
• Vegetation: sub-tropical broad-leaved hill forest, Himalayan wet temperate forest, temperate broad-leaved forest, mixed coniferous forest, sub-alpine forests and dry alpine forest.
• Flora: Common shrubs and herbs found are Primrose, Rhododendron, bottled gentian, and stagger weed. The reserve also contains many medicinal herbs, Such as Aconite, Kutki root, Spikenard, Rhubarb, and Ginseng. Phalat, Shrub live oak, Ghoge champ, and Cinnamon are also found.
• Fauna: The Himalayan red panda, musk deer, nayan, or Tibetan sheep, bharal, or blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, marco polo sheep, marmots, and monkeys are a few of the animals found here.
• Recently, the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve became the 11th Biosphere Reserve from India to be included in the UNESCO-designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).

Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve (Andhra Pradesh)

• The reserve derives its name as it comprises seven peaks, including Sheshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishbhadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri.
• The reserve includes S V (Sri Venkateswara) National Park, S V Sanctuary, and the Forests of Chittoor East, Tirupati, Rajampet, Proddatur, and Kadapa Divisions.
• Threats: Felling and smuggling red sanders, cattle grazing, forest fires, and poaching of wild animals are major threats.

Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu and Kerala)

• It was included in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.
• It is located at the southernmost end of the Western Ghats. The reserve is in the Malabar rainforests and is a noted hotspot area. Rudraksha trees, Black plums, Gaub trees, and Wild shamans are some of the important flora endemic to it.
• The reserve includes the Shendurney and Peppara wildlife sanctuaries, parts of the Neyyar sanctuary in Kerala, and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.
• Vegetation: Forest type includes thorn, moist deciduous and semi-evergreens. The area is rich in plant and animal diversity. This
• Biosphere Reserve harbours the most diverse ecosystems in Peninsular India.
• Flora: Aristolochia (Snake root), Cardiospermum (Faux persilo), Ceropegia (Taper vine), Dioscorea (Wild yam), Gloriosa (Glory lily), Rauvolfia (Serpentine wood) and Smilax (Laurel leaf greenbrier)
• Fauna: Tiger, lion-tailed macaque, great pied hornbill and slender loris are few of the threatened fauna here.
• Threat: Irrigation projects, cultivation of plantation crops, and increasing pilgrimage to the Agastyakudam area threaten biodiversity.

Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh)

• The reserve includes Pin Valley National Park and Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
• The harsh climate has led to a unique biodiversity. The reserve hosts several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, including the Snow Leopard, Tibetan Antelope, and Himalayan Wolf, which are included in the Red List of IUCN as Critically Endangered Species.
• Threat: Blizzards, snowstorms and avalanches are the significant threats here.

Kachchh Biosphere Reserve (Gujarat)

• The reserve is unique in hosting a Wild Ass sanctuary (home to Asiatic Wild Ass or khur, one of the most endangered species in the world) and also as a breeding ground for flamingo birds.
• One of the most threatened birds, the great Indian bustard, is also found here.
• Threat: Recurring drought and uncertain rain combined with water-intensive farming threaten the biodiversity here.

Achanakamar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh)

• Achanakmar Sanctuary lies in the core zone of the reserve.
• It was also listed in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2012.
• The reserve provides shelter to tigers, panthers, bears, Chitals, sambars, barking deer and bison (gaur).
• Threat: Excessive exploitation of natural resources and unregulated use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are the major issues here.

Conclusion

Biosphere Reserves are essential for conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. They provide a framework for protecting unique ecosystems while supporting local communities through sustainable practices. As challenges like climate change and habitat loss intensify, governments and communities must collaborate on effective management and protection strategies to preserve these vital areas for future generations.

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