The second anniversary of the International Day of Biosphere Reserves, observed on 3 November, highlights the key points of Biosphere Reserves (BR) in promoting the protection and sustainability of our environment. In this context, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ‘Ridge to Reef’ theme concluded the 10th South and Central Asian Biosphere Reserve Network Meeting (SACAM) in Chennai, India in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Center for Sustainable Coastal Management The SACAM program achieved consensus on supporting sustainable environmental practices in South and Central Asia.
World Biosphere Reserve Day
- This day reflects the importance of the role of biosphere reserves in conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
- This day, established by UNESCO in the year 2022, will be celebrated every year on 3 November.
- It aims to raise awareness, share best practices and showcase the achievements of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Biosphere Reserve
- Biosphere reserves are ‘learning places for sustainable development’.
- They are important sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and biodiversity management.
- They are places that provide local solutions to global challenges. Biosphere reserves include terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems.
- Each site promotes solutions that reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Features
The biosphere reserve consists of three main zones
- Core area is a protected area with strict provisions, where natural processes and biodiversity are protected.
- The buffer zone is surrounded by the core area, where human activities are compatible with conservation and research objectives.
- The transition zone is the outermost region, where sustainable development and human well-being are promoted.
- Biosphere reserves are designated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
- Biosphere Reserves are designated by UNESCO under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program which was started in the year 1971.
- The MAB program aims to improve the relationship between people and their environment and promote the integration of natural and social sciences.
- The MAB Program also supports the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Biosphere reserves are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), which currently includes a total of 748 sites in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites.
- WNBR facilitates the exchange of information, knowledge and best practice between biosphere reserves and their stakeholders.
- WNBR also promotes collaboration and innovation to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty and pandemics.