Biosphere Reserve of India
Geography
Lakes of India
History
Polity
Infrastructure
Miscellaneous
India, with its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, is home to several biosphere reserves that play a crucial role in conserving and protecting the country’s natural heritage.
A biosphere reserve is an internationally recognized area comprising terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems. These reserves are designated to promote the conservation of biodiversity while fostering sustainable development through the harmonious integration of people and nature. Biosphere reserves typically consist of three interconnected zones: the core area (where conservation takes precedence), the buffer zone (surrounding the core area with limited human activity), and the transition zone (where sustainable development practices are encouraged).
Sr no | Year | Name | State | Key fauna |
1 | 1986 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala | Nilgiri tahr, tiger, lion-tailed macaque |
2 | 1988 | Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand | Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear |
3 | 1988 | Nokrek | Meghalaya | Red panda |
4 | 1989 | Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu | Dugong |
5 | 1989 | Sundarbans | West Bengal | Royal Bengal tiger |
6 | 1989 | Manas | Assam | Asiatic elephant, tiger, Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, pygmy hog |
7 | 1989 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Saltwater crocodile |
8 | 1994 | Simlipal | Odisha | Gaur, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant |
9 | 1998 | Dihang-Dibang | Arunachal Pradesh | Mishmi takin, musk deer |
10 | 1997 | Dibru-Saikhowa | Assam | White-winged wood duck, water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, capped langur |
11 | 1999 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh | Giant squirrel, flying squirrel |
12 | 2000 | Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | Snow leopard, red panda |
13 | 2001 | Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Nilgiri tahr, Asian elephant |
14 | 2005 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh | Four-horned antelope, Indian wild dog, sarus crane, white-rumped vulture, sacred grove bush frog |
15 | 2008 | Great Rann of Kutch | Gujarat | Indian wild ass |
16 | 2009 | Cold Desert | Himachal Pradesh | Snow leopard |
17 | 2010 | Seshachalam Hills biosphere | Andhra Pradesh | Slender loris |
18 | 2011 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | Bengal tiger, Chinkara, Nilgai, Sambhar sambar deer, and Sloth bear |