Biosphere reserves play a crucial role in balancing economic and social development along with preserving nature. These reserves, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems. Recognizing their importance, ‘The International Day for Biosphere Reserves’ will be observed from 2022 onwards on 3rd November.
Status of Biosphere Reserves in India and Globally
Notably, there are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites as per UNESCO. The majority of these reserves are in Europe and North America, followed by Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Arab states.
In India, there are currently 18 notified biosphere reserves covering about 60,000 sq km. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, extending over Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, was the first to be established here. The largest reserve, Gulf of Kachchh, is in Gujarat while Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam is the smallest. Some of the other larger biosphere reserves include Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), Sunderbans (West Bengal), and Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh).
Three Main Zones of Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere reserves usually comprise of: Core Areas, Buffer Zones, and Transition Areas. The Core Area is a strictly protected zone that helps conserve landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variations. Buffer Zones surround or are adjacent to core areas and promote activities that are in line with sound ecological practices, reinforcing scientific research, monitoring, training, and education. The Transition Area is where local communities cultivate socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.
First 5-country Biosphere Reserve
In an exceptional development, UNESCO declared the world’s first 5-country biosphere reserve in September 2021. Spread across Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and Serbia, this reserve spans 700 km of the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers. Known as the ‘Amazon of Europe,’ it’s the largest riverine protected area in Europe, covering almost 1 million hectares.
The Future Path For Biosphere Reserves
Ensuring the sustainable development of these biosphere reserves requires special attention. Land rights of tribals who depend on forest resources in transition areas must be secured. The government needs to take strict measures against alien species invading various biospheres, like in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Implementation of strategies such as the Munnar declaration, which suggests that biosphere reserves can be created out of the desert and Gangetic plain bio-geographic zones, is also crucial. Furthermore, since the concept of a biosphere reserve focuses on sustainable development, it might be beneficial to replace the term ‘reserve’ with a more suitable word.
Biosphere Reserves in UPSC Civil Services Examination
Biosphere reserves also feature frequently in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Here are some previous year questions related to this topic:
In 2013: Q. Consider the following pairs: Nokrek Biosphere Reserve : Garo Hills Logtak (Loktak) Lake : Barail Range Namdapha National Park : Dafla Hills Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
In 2014: Q. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of?
In 2008: Q. Out of all the Biosphere Reserves in India, four have been recognized on the World Network by UNESCO. Which one of the following is not one of them?