India's Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme
Background
According to the PIB backgrounder on Biosphere Reserves released on 3 November 2025, India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves covering approximately 91,425 sq. km, of which 13 are recognized by UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). Biosphere Reserves are recognised under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. In September 2025, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was included in the network. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Biosphere Reserves helps reduce biotic pressure on core biodiversity zones, with special emphasis on buffer and transition zones.
Notified Biosphere Reserves (per PIB backgrounder):
18
Area covered:
91,425 sq. km
Recognised by UNESCO's WNBR (per PIB backgrounder):
13
Why it matters for exams: Counts of notified versus UNESCO-recognised reserves (as given in the PIB backgrounder) and the MAB Programme are asked in environment papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC