India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been newly recognized by UNESCO

¨     India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been newly recognized by UNESCO.

¨     It is now part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

¨     The announcement was made during the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council – Man and the Biosphere on September 27.

¨     With this, India now has 13 biosphere reserves in UNESCO’s global network.

¨     This highlights the country’s growing commitment to environmental protection.

¨     In addition, two more Ramsar sites have been added in Bihar.

¨     These are Gokul Jalashay in Buxar, covering 448 hectares, and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran, spanning 319 hectares.

¨     India now has a total of 93 Ramsar sites. These wetlands together cover an area of 13,60,719 hectares.

¨     A Ramsar Site is a wetland site that has been designated as being of international importance by the Ramsar Convention.

¨     Wetland is an area of land that is either covered with water or saturated with water.