International Day for Biosphere Reserves

Every year November 3 is being celebrated as International Day for Biosphere Reserves.  It was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) during 2021. 

Biosphere reserves

Biosphere reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’. They are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. They are places that provide local solutions to global challenges. Biosphere reserves include terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each site promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.

Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves totals 759 sites in 136 countries.

Theme for 2024

With each passing year, the urgency of tackling environmental issues becomes clearer: we only have one planet, and it is in danger. Our relationship with nature and with other living beings needs a radical rethink in order to address these issues - we need to design and create a truly shared world.

Biosphere reserves have shown that it is possible to live in this world while also establishing a sustainable and harmonious relationship with nature.

This Day is celebrated in biosphere reserves around the world.

Biosphere reserves in India

There are 18 Biosphere Reserves (BR) in the country. 

As part of the Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme of UNESCO, India has 12 internationally recognised BRs. They are as follows.

• Nilgiri
• Gulf of Mannar
• Sunderban
• Nanda Devi
• Nokrek
• Pachmarhi
• Similipal
• Achanakmar-Amarkantak
• Great Nicobar
• Agasthyamala
• Khangchendzonga
• Panna

Source : UNESCO