INDIA-BIOSPHERE RESERVES

A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas, which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program.

• There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India, out of which 9 Biosphere Reserves have been recognized by the UNESCO on World Network of Biosphere Reserves. 
• Established in September 1986, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve  is the first biosphere reserves of India. 
• There are about 2,000 species of birds in India that account to 13 percent of the world’s total. 
• There are about 2,546 species of fish in India that account to 12 percent of the world’s total. 
• India has about 5 to 8 percent of the world’s amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. 
• India is the only country in  the whole world where both tigers and lions  are found. Gir forest in Gujarat is the natural habitat of lion in India. Tigers are found in the Sundarbans of West Bengal, and the forests of Madhya Pradesh and Himalayan region. 
• About 1,300 plant species  have been  listed as endangered species in India; however, 20 species are already extinct. 
• The threat on wildlife has increased because of excessive commercial activities, pollution, expansion of human settlement, and of course illegal trade of both animals and plants. 

Functions Of Biosphere Reserves:

Each biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil 3 basic functions, which are complementary and mutually reinforcing.

1. · Conservation Function - to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;
2. · A Development Function - to foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable;
3. · Logistic Function - to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.

NAME	YEAR	STATE	TYPE	KEY FAUNA	AREA (KM²)
NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE1st	1986	TAMIL NADU, KERALA & KARNATAKA	WESTERN GHATS	NILGIRI TAHR, LION-TAILED MACAQUE	5520
NANDA DEVI NATIONAL PARK & BIOSPHERE RESERVE	1988	UTTARAKHAND	WESTERN HIMALAYAS		5860
NOKREK	1988	MEGHALAYA	EAST HIMALAYAS	RED PANDA	820
GULF OF MANNAR	1989	TAMIL NADU	COASTS	DUGONG OR SEA COW	10500
SUNDAR-BANS	1989	WEST BENGAL	GANGETIC DELTA	ROYAL BENGAL TIGER	9630
MANAS	1989	ASSAM	EAST HIMALAYAS	GOLDEN LANGUR, RED PANDA	2837
GREAT NICOBAR BIOSPHERE RESERVE	1989	ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS	ISLANDS	SALTWATER CROCODILE	885
SIMLIPAL	1994	ODISHA	DECCAN PENINSULA	GAUR, ROYAL BENGAL TIGER, WILD ELEPHANT	4374
DIBRU- SAIKHOWA	1997	ASSAM	EAST HIMALAYAS	GOLDEN LANGUR	765
DIHANG- DIBANG	1998	ARUNACHAL PRADESH	EASTERN HIMALAYA		5112
PACHMARHI BIOSPHERE RESERVE	1999	MADHYA PRADESH	SEMI-ARID	GIANT SQUIRREL, FLYING SQUIRREL	4981.72
KHANGCHEN-DZONGA	2000	SIKKIM	EAST HIMALAYAS	SNOW LEOPARD, RED PANDA	2620
AGASTHYA-MALAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE	2001	KERALA, TAMIL NADU	WESTERN GHATS	NILGIRI TAHR, ELEPHANTS	1828
ACHANAKAMAR  AMARKANTAK	2005	MADHYA PRADESH, CHHATTISGARH	MAIKALA HILLS		3835
GREAT RANN OF KUTCH or Gyan BhartiLargest	2008	GUJARAT	DESERT	INDIAN WILD ASS	12454
COLD DESERT	2009	HIMACHAL PRADESH	WESTERN HIMALAYAS	SNOW LEOPARD	7770
SESHACHALAM HILLS	2010	ANDHRA PRADESH	EASTERN GHATS		4755
PANNASmallest	2011	MADHYA PRADESH	CATCHMENT AREA OF THE KEN RIVER	TIGER, CHITAL, CHINKARA, SAMBHAR AND SLOTH BEAR	543