The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently incorporated the Panna Biosphere Reserve (PBR) into its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). This makes PBR the third reserve from Madhya Pradesh to receive this recognition following Pachmarhi and Amarkantak. Simultaneously, Fuvahmulah and Addu Atoll in the Maldives have also been enlisted in the WNBR.
About Panna Biosphere Reserve
Established in 1981, PBR occupies an area of approximately 540 square kilometres around the Panna and Chhatarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh. Positioned in the Vindhya mountain range of northern Madhya Pradesh, the reserve is traversed by the Ken River, considered one of the least polluted tributaries of the Yamuna River. The upcoming Ken-Betwa river interlinking project will also be situated here. Additionally, the region is popular for its diamond mining operations.
Conservation Efforts and Recognition of PBR
Over the years, PBR has gained multiple accolades signifying its growing ecological importance. In 1994, it achieved the status of Project Tiger Reserve, becoming India’s 22nd tiger reserve. Later, in 2011, it was officially recognized as a Biosphere Reserve by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The reserve witnessed a significant increase in its tiger population by 2018 after a decade of no sightings. Currently, Madhya Pradesh holds the record for the highest tiger population in the country, followed by Karnataka and Uttarakhand. UNESCO acknowledged the reserve once more in 2020 by including it in the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB).
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are extensive areas representing natural and cultural landscapes. They span over terrestrial as well as coastal/marine ecosystems, providing representative samples of biogeographic zones or provinces. The concept of BR was initiated by UNESCO in 1974 under the MAB program to advance international cooperation in biosphere conservation. There are now over 600 BRs in 119 countries worldwide. The Indian government has been implementing a scheme called Biosphere Reserve since 1986, providing financial assistance for its maintenance and development.
India’s Role in Biosphere Conservation
India currently has 18 Biosphere Reserves, including PBR, with 12 being recognized in the WNBR. In 2000, India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve became the first to be included in the WNBR. This was followed by the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in 2018.
About Man and Biosphere Programme
UNESCO launched the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) in 1971. It is an intergovernmental scientific initiative that strives to establish a scientific foundation for enhancing human-environment relationships. Each year, UNESCO designates new Biosphere reserves and removes others to promote biodiversity conservation, mitigate man-animal conflicts, and enable sustainable resource usage. MAB emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating natural and social sciences, economics, and education to improve human livelihoods, safeguard ecosystems, and promote environmentally sustainable, socially and culturally appropriate economic development methods.
