WHAT IS THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE?
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. Biosphere Reserves are designated under the Intergovernmental MAB Programme by the Director-General of UNESCO following the decisions of the MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC). Their status is internationally recognized. Member States can submit sites through the designation process.
In order to assist the stakeholders with the designation process, as well as periodic reviews, Technical Guidelines are being progressively created by the MAB International Co-ordinating Council. Biosphere Reserves involve local communities and all interested stakeholders in planning and management.
THEY INTEGRATE THREE MAIN "FUNCTIONS" :-
1. Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity.
2. Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable.
3. Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training.
Biosphere reserves are the protected areas meant for the conservation of plants and animals. It also restores the traditional life of the tribals living in that vicinity. They conserve the biodiversity of that area.
There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India established by the government that protect large areas of natural habitats. These areas are provided with the buffer zones that are open for some economic uses. Not only the flora and fauna but also the humans inhabiting these areas are protected.
The Biosphere Reserves are identified by the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program to promote sustainable development. This program was initiated by UNESCO in 1971.
THIS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES AREAS WHICH ARE :-
1. The world’s most typical terrestrial and coastal ecosystems.
2. That exhibit approaches ton live and works in harmony with nature.
3. That demonstrates the achievement of a sustainable balance between conserving natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
ZONES OF BIOSPHERE RESERVE
There are three biosphere reserve zones :-
2. Buffer Zone
CORE AREA
This is a legally secured and protected ecosystem that contributes to the preservation of landscape, ecosystem, species and genetic variation. It is a place where human intervention is strictly prohibited. It is the innermost undisturbed ecosystem. The information from these areas helps to assess the sustainability of activities, or maintenance of environmental quality in the surrounding areas. A core area is a protected region like a National Park or Sanctuary/ protected/ regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It's kept free from human interference.
BUFFER ZONE
The area surrounding the core zone is the buffer zone. Here only the scientific research, monitoring, training and education activities are permitted to humans. These activities should not obstruct the conservation objectives of the core area.
This area also includes activities that help to manage natural vegetation, agricultural land, fisheries, or forests to enhance the quality of production.
This zone might also include recreation and tourism facilities. Human activities are less intensive in this zone as compared to the transition zone.
TRANSITION AREA
It is the peripheral area of a biosphere reserve where human activities like cropping, recreation, forestry, and settlements are permitted with the cooperation of reserve management and local people. Through these activities, the degraded area is resumed to its natural form.
The local communities, scientists, conservation agencies, cultural groups, and other stakeholders work in this zone to use the area in a sustainable way for the welfare of humans living there.
IMPORTANCE OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES
The importance of biosphere reserves is mentioned below :-
CONSERVATION
1. Managing Biosphere Reserves genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems and landscapes.
2. It may prevent man-animal conflict eg. death of tiger Avni who was shot dead when she turned man-eater.
3. Along with the wildlife, culture and customs of tribals are also protected.
DEVELOPMENT
Promoting economic and human growth that is sustainable on a sociocultural and ecological level. It seeks to strengthen the tree pillars of sustainable development :- social, economic and protection of the environment.
LOGISTIC SUPPORT
Promoting research activities, environmental education, training and monitoring in the context of local, national and international conservation and sustainable development.
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
These areas provide a lot of information on how to restore, conserve, and develop the ecosystem. The researches provide ways to recreate landscapes that have been affected by human activities.
LAND USE PLANNING
All the landowners, public institutions, farmers, scientists, industry, and conservation groups found in these areas can work together to look for comprehensive land management.
HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS
They help in maintaining healthy ecosystems by preventing soil erosion, protecting water springs, and maintaining the decomposers to maintain the soil quality.
Thus, we know that biosphere reserves are a great source for biodiversity conservation.
UNESCO PROTECTED BIOSPERE RESERVES - INTERNATIONAL STATUS
Recently, Panna Biosphere Reserve was also given the International status of UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserve. The status was given in the year 2020, and prior to that the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve from India was also included in 2018. With addition of the two Biosphere Reserves, 12 of the 18 Biosphere Reserves in the country have become part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves which is based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.
INTERNATIONAL STATUS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The UNESCO has introduced the designation "Biosphere" for natural areas to minimize conflict between development and conservation. Biosphere Reserves are nominated by national governments which meets a minimal set of criteria under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program of UNESCO. Globally, there are 686 biosphere reserves in 122 countries, including 20 transboundary sites.
MAN BIOSPHERE PROGRAMME
1. Launched in 1971, UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environment.
2. MAB combines natural and social science, economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, and to safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
3. It combines the natural and social science with a view to improving human livelihoods.
HOW DOES MAB WORK?
1. UNESCO’s intergovernmental structure provides MAB with a framework to help national governments support the planning and implementation of research and training programmes with technical assistance and scientific advice.
2. Participating countries establish MAB National Committees that ensure maximum national participation in the international programme, defining and implementing each country’s activities. MAB currently operates through 158 National Committees established among the 195 Members States and nine Associate Members States of UNESCO.
3. The agenda of the MAB programme is defined by its main governing body, the International Coordinating Council. The MAB Council consists of 34 Member States elected by UNESCO’s General Conference. The Council elects a chair and five vice-chairpersons from each of UNESCO’s geopolitical regions, one of which functions as a rapporteur. These constitute the MAB Bureau.
4. The MAB Secretariat is based at UNESCO’s Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, and works closely with the different field offices around the world to coordinate the work of the MAB programme at national and regional levels. Its staff members draw on expertise in many and varied disciplines.
5. MAB is funded through the regular budget of UNESCO and mobilizes funds-in-trust granted by Member States, bilateral and multilateral sources, and extra-budgetary funds provided by countries, the private sector and private institutions. MAB-related activities are nationally financed. The Programme can grant seed funding to assist countries in developing projects and/or to secure appropriate partnership contributions.
THE UNESCO PROTECTED BIOSPHERE RESERVES LIST IN INDIA
There are total 12 biosphere reserves of India which have been recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere Reserve Program :-
TAMIL NADU
⭕ Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (2000)
TAMIL NADU
⭕ Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (2001)
WEST BENGAL
⭕ Sunderban Biosphere Reserve (2001)
UTTARAKHAND
⭕ Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (2004)
MADHYA PRADESH
⭕ Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (2009)
MEGHALAYA
⭕ Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (2009)
ODISHA
⭕ Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (2009)
CHHATTISGARH
⭕ Achanakmar - Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (2012)
GREAT NICOBAR
⭕ Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (2013)
KERALA & TAMIL NADU
⭕ Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (2016)
PART OF NORTH & WEST SIKKIM
⭕ Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve (2018)
MADHYA PRADESH
⭕ Panna Biosphere Reserve (2020)
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) covers globally chosen protected areas. It consists of a vibrant and interactive network of sites of distinction. It promotes the harmonious assimilation of people and nature for sustainable development in different ways. If one country declares one area as a biosphere reserve, it can nominate the same to under the UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. If UNESCO accepts the proposal of the government, the biosphere reserve will enter into the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
BIOSPHERE CONSERVATION
⭕ A scheme called Biosphere Reserve is being implemented by the Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in 90:10 ratio to the North Eastern Region States and three Himalayan States and in ratio of 60:40 to other states for maintenance, improvement and development of certain items.
⭕ The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan which approved and monitored by the Central MAB Committee.
WAY FORWARD
⭕ Land rights of tribals which depends on the forest resources in transition areas must be secured.
⭕ Resources like species from the reserves of Kerala should marketed with "Biosphere Reserve Tag" which will increase their value.
⭕ Mannar declaration which suggests that biosphere reserves can be carved out of the desert and Gangetic plain bio-geographic zones should also be implemented.
⭕ As the biosphere reserve concept was aimed at sustainable development, the term, reserve, should be replaced with a suitable word.
⭕ The government must take strict steps against alien species invading various biosphere reserves eg. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA
MADHYA PRADESH - CHHATTISGARH
⭕ Achankamar- Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
KERALA - TAMIL NADU
⭕ Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
HIMACHAL PRADESH
⭕ Cold Desert
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
⭕ Dihang - Dibang
ASSAM
⭕ Dibru - Saikhowa
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS
⭕ Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
TAMIL NADU
⭕ Gulf of Mannar
GUJARAT
⭕ Kachchh (Great Rann Of Kutch)
SIKKIM
⭕ Khangchendzonga National Park
ASSAM
⭕ Manas
UTTARAKHAND
⭕ Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
TAMIL NADU - KERALA - KARNATAKA
⭕ Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
MEGHALAYA
⭕ Nokrek
ANDHRA PRADESH
⭕ Seshachalam Hills
ODISHA
⭕ Simlipal
WEST BENGAL
⭕ Sundarbans
MADHYA PRADESH
⭕ Panna
MADHYA PRADESH
⭕ Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
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