UNESCO approves designation of 11 new sites in 11 countries as Biosphere Reserves (BR). Thus the world network of Biosphere Reserves now comprises 759 sites in 136 countries.
New sites added to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve List
- Kempen-Broek Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Belgium, Kingdom of the Netherlands)
- Darien Norte Chocono Biosphere Reserve (Colombia)
- Madre de las Aguas Biosphere Reserve (Dominican Republic)
- Numismi Biosphere Reserve (Gambia)
- Colli Eugeni Biosphere Reserve (Italy)
- Julian Alps Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Italy, Slovenia)
- Khar Us Lake Biosphere Reserve (Mongolia)
- Apayaos Biosphere Reserve (Philippines)
- Changyong Biosphere Reserve (Republic of Korea)
- Val d’Aran Biosphere Reserve (Spain)
- Irati Biosphere Reserve (Spain)
Biosphere Reserve
- Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to sites of significant natural and cultural landscapes that encompass large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination of both.
- Biosphere reserves attempt to balance economic and social development with the conservation of nature and the maintenance of associated cultural values.
- Biosphere reserves are thus special environments for both humans and nature and are a perfect example of how it is possible for humans and nature to co-exist while meeting each other’s needs.
Criteria for being declared a Biosphere Reserve
- The site in question must be a protected and minimally disturbed area from the point of view of nature conservation.
- The entire area should resemble a biogeographical unit and its area should be large enough to sustain the population of organisms representing all trophic levels of the ecosystem.
- Involvement of local communities and use of their knowledge in biodiversity conservation.
- An area that has the potential to preserve traditional tribal or village-level livelihoods so that the environment can be used harmoniously.
Functions of Biosphere Reserves
- Conservation: Management of the genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems and landscape of the biosphere reserve.
- Conservation of wildlife as well as the culture and customs of the tribals.
- Development: Promoting economic and human development that is sustainable at the sociological and ecological levels.
- It strengthens the three pillars of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental conservation.
Logistics
- Biosphere reserves promote research, environmental education, training and monitoring in the context of local, national and international conservation and sustainable development.
Biosphere Reserve Project
- The Government of India launched the Biosphere Reserve Scheme in 1986.
- It is guided by the UNESCO MAB Programme, as India is a signatory to the landscape approach advocated by MAB.
- Under this scheme, financial assistance is given to the States of the North-Eastern Region and the three Himalayan States in the ratio of 90:10 and to other States in the ratio of 60:40 for maintenance, improvement and development of certain facilities.
- The State Government prepares the Management Action Plan which is approved and monitored by the Central MAB Committee.
- The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
3 Zones of Biosphere Reserve
Core Zone
- It is the most protected area of a biosphere reserve. It may contain endemic plants and animals.
- Research activities can be carried out in this area that do not disturb natural functions and wildlife.
- A core zone is a protected area that mostly consists of national parks or sanctuaries protected/regulated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- It is kept free from human interference.
Buffer Zone
- It is the area surrounding the core zone and its activities are managed in such a way that it helps in preserving the core zone in its natural state.
- It includes limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc. Human intrusion in this zone is more than the core zone and less than the transition zone.
- Research and educational activities are encouraged.
Transition zone
- It is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve. It is an area of cooperation where human enterprise and conservation coexist in harmony.
- It includes settlements, crops, managed forests and areas for recreation and other economic uses.