Complete List of Biosphere Reserves in India (2024) with Man and Biosphere Programme and Key Fauna

Biosphere Reserves in India: Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO recognised special area of land or in water which holds immense importance for the biodiversity and ecology of that place. Biosphere Reserves of a particular area have unique fauna, flora and other natural aspects that make that area special in terms of biodiversity and ecology. It is a protected area which is declared protected by UNESCO and managed and taken care of by the government of that country. The main objective is to set up the Biosphere Reserves to conserve and protect the biodiversity of a specific region while advancing sustainable development. There are a total 18 Biosphere Reserves in India in which 12 come under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves which is based on UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. The first Biosphere Reserves of India is Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Largest Biosphere Reserves of India is Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat. 

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Biosphere Reserves in India 2024

After the two years of MAB-Man and Biosphere Programme in 1971, UNESCO made a list of Biosphere Reserves. These Reserves are connected with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are a total 18 Biosphere Reserves in India.

The first Biosphere Reserves of India is Nilgiri. It was established in 1986 in the state of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. 

After it the second and third Biosphere Reserves were set up in 1988, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and Nokrek Biosphere Reserve. 

Nanda Devi is located in Uttarakhand and it’s a part of western Himalayas. It is famous for snow leopard and Himalayan black bear. 

Nokrek is in Meghalaya, in West Garo hills, which is a part of Western Himalayas. The Red Panda is famous in this region. 

The next year four new Biosphere Reserves were set up in 1989. Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Manas and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserves. 

The Gulf of Mannar is in Tamilnadu extended from Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari. It is famous for Dugong or Sea-Cow.

Sundarbans are famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger and located in West Bengal near the Gangetic Delta. 

Manas Biosphere Reserve is in Assam in the eastern hills of Himalayas. It is famous for Asiatic Elephant, Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog, Assam roofed turtle and Hispid Hare. 

Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is situated in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the Southernmost Island. It is famous for Saltwater Crocodiles. 

In 1994 Similipal Biosphere Reserve was established in Deccan Peninsula of Odisha state. Main animals of this Biosphere Reserve are Gaur, Asian Elephant and Royal Bengal Tiger. 

Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve was established in 1997 in eastern hills of Himalayas in Assam. It is the smallest Biosphere Reserve of India. It is known for Capped Langur, White-Winged Wood Duck, Water Buffalo and Breasted Parrotbill. 

In 1998 Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve was set up in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern hills of Himalayas. It is famous for Mishmi Takin and Musk Deer. 

In 1999,2000 and 2001 respectively Pachmarhi, Khangchendzinga and Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserves were set up. 

Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve was established in Maikal hills, Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for White-Rumped Vulture, Four-horned Antelope, Sarus Crane and Sacred grove bush frog. 

The Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve was made in 2008 in the desert area of Gujarat. It is the largest Biosphere Reserves of India. It is famous for Indian Wild Ass and Kharai Camel. 

In 2009 Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve was established in Western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for Snow Leopard. 

Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve was established in 2010 in Andhra Pradesh. It is famous for Slender Loris. It covers 4755.997 Square kilometers of area. 

In 2010 Panna Biosphere Reserve was established in the Moist Deciduous Forest of Madhya Pradesh. It is famous for Sloth Beer, Sambhar Deer, Bengal Tiger and Nilgai. It covers 2998.98 Square kilometers of area. 

List of Biosphere Reserves in India

List of Biosphere Reserves in India
Sl.No.	Name of Biosphere Reserve	Year	Location (States)
1	Nilgiri	1986	Part of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka
2	Nanda Devi	1988	Uttarakhand
3	Nokrek	1988	Meghalaya
4	Great Nicobar	1989	Andaman and Nicobar Islands
5	Gulf of Mannar	1989	Tamil Nadu
6	Manas	1989	Assam
7	Sunderbans	1989	West Bengal
8	Simlipal	1994	Odisha
9	Dibru-Saikhowa	1997	Assam
10	Dehang-Dibang	1998	Arunachal Pradesh
11	Pachmarhi	1999	Madhya Pradesh
12	Khangchendzonga	2000	Sikkim
13	Agasthyamalai	2001	Kerala
14	Achanakamar – Amarkantak	2005	Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh
15	Kachchh	2008	Gujarat
16	Cold Desert	2009	Himachal Pradesh
17	Seshachalam Hills	2010	Andhra Pradesh
18	Panna	2011	Madhya Pradesh

Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme 

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme is an international scientific programme that is dedicated to improving the relationship between people and their surrounding nature. It aims to set up a scientific basis to establish the relationship between man and nature. It unites the environment and social sciences to enhance the livelihoods of humans and protection of nature while managing the ecosystem. It promotes the innovative approach to sustainable development that is culturally and socially appropriate and environmentally beneficial. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is a spirited and interactive network of various sites that are socially and environmentally important. With these networks harmony between people and nature can be increased via participatory dialogues. The programme have the following features:

To manage and protect natural habitats with various diversities around the world. 

To establish areas of high natural importance as Biosphere Reserves. 

To make rules and regulations for the restricted movements and other activities of man in certain areas and make sure everyone follows them. 

To conduct various research programmes to increase the understanding about nature and various fauna and flora. 

To promote Conservation of Biodiversity in designated areas.

Encourage sustainable development and allow educational programmes and interdisciplinary research. 

 

UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserve
Year	Name	State
2000	Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve	Tamil Nadu
2001	Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve	Tamil Nadu
2001	Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve	West Bengal
2004	Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve	Uttarakhand
2009	Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve	Madhya Pradesh
2009	Nokrek Biosphere Reserve	Meghalaya
2009	Simlipal Biosphere Reserve	Odisha
2012	Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve	Chhattisgarh
2013	Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve	Great Nicobar
2016	Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve	Kerala and Tamil Nadu
2018	Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve	Part of North and West Sikkim districts
2020	Panna Biosphere Reserve	Madhya Pradesh

 

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: First Biosphere Reserve in India

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Nilgiri Mountains of Western Ghats. It is the largest protected forest of India. The name Nilgiri is taken from the Sanskrit word Neelam means blue and giri means mountain. A shrub named Kurinji (Strobilanthes Kunthiana) or Neelam Kurinji gave rise to the name Nilgiris. It is spreaded in the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. It is included the parts of Mudumalai National park Tamilnadu, Mukurthi National Park Tamilnadu, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary Tamilnadu, Nagarhole National park Karnataka, Bandipur national park Karnataka, Silent valley national park Kerala, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala, and Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary Kerala. It was established in 1986 by UNESCO under the Man and Biosphere Programme. It covers an area approx 5,670 square kilometers. This Biosphere Reserve is famous for the Nilgiri Pipit, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri tahr, golden jackal etc. 

 

Biosphere Reserve Zones

The Biosphere Reserve is divided in 3 zones:

Core Zone:

It is the central main area of the reserve. 

In the core Zone human intervention is strictly prohibited. This zone is to preserve biodiversity and its natural ecosystem. 

To determine the preservation of environmental quality and sustainability of activities in surrounding areas data taken from these areas. 

The main function of the core Zone is to protect endangered species and their habitats and maintain the ecosystem’s integrity. 

 

Buffer Zone:

As the name suggests in this area humans can come for educational purposes or conduct research as long as these activities are not interfering with the conservation goals of the core area. 

This area surrounds the core Zone. In this area, tourism and recreation activities are also allowed to a certain limit.

Studies of activities like Fisheries, Agricultural activities, management of natural vegetation activities are also allowed in this zone. 

 

Transit Zone:

Transit Zone is the area surrounding the buffer zone. It is on the periphery of the Biosphere Reserve. 

In this zone cropping, Forestry, recreation, and settlements are allowed with the collaboration of local people and Reserve management. 

People like scientists, local communities, conservation organizations and cultural groups can work in this zone. 

 

Key Fauna in various Biosphere Reserves of India

Name	Key fauna
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve	Lion Tailed Macaque (EN), Nilgiri Tahr (EN), Malabar Giant Squirrel (LC), Nilgiri Langur (VU)
Nanda Devi	Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (EN), Bharal Or Blue Sheep (LC)
Nokrek	Red Panda (EN), Hoolock Gibbons (EN), Red Giant Flying Squirrel (LC)
Great Nicobar	Dugong (VU), Saltwater Crocodile (LC)
Gulf of Mannar	Dugong (VU), Olive Ridley turtles (VU)
Manas	Assam Roofed Turtle (EN), Hispid Hare (EN), Golden Langur (EN), Pygmy Hog (EN), Wild Water Buffalo (EN), Bengal florican (CR)
Sunderbans	Royal Bengal Tiger (EN)
Simlipal	Royal Bengal Tigers, Wild Elephants (EN), Gaurs (VU – Indian Bison), Chausingha (VU)
Dibru-Saikhowa	Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard (VU), Gangetic Dolphin (EN)
Dehang-Dibang	Takin (VU), Red Panda (EN)
Pachmarhi	Tiger, Gaur, Indian Giant Flying Squirrels (LC)
Khangchendzonga	Red Panda (EN), Snow Leopard (VU), Musk Deer (EN), Great Tibetan Sheep (Argali – NT)
Agasthyamalai	Nilgiri Tahr (EN)
Achanakamar – Amarkantak	Four Horned Antelope (Chausingha (VU)), Indian Wild Dog (VU)
Great Rann of Kutch (Kachchh)	Great Indian Bustard (CR), Indian Wild Ass (NT)
Cold Desert	Snow Leopard (VU), Himalayan Ibex (also referred to as Siberian Ibex – LC)
Seshachalam Hills	Red Sanders (NT), Golden Gecko (LC – Endemic To Tirumala Hills)
Panna	Tiger (EN), Chital (LC), Chinkara (LC), Sambar (VU)

 

Biosphere Reserves In India Map