Context: Recently, UNESCO has approved the designation of 11 new Biosphere Reserves (BR) in 11 countries.

• The World Network of Biosphere Reserves thus now comprises 759 sites across 136 countries.

Key highlights

• The new designations are in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Gambia, Italy, Mongolia, Philippines, South Korea and Spain.  

• Additionally, and for the first time, the list includes two transboundary reserves, spanning Belgium and the Netherlands, and Italy and Slovenia.

The 11 newly designated biosphere reserves are:

1. Kempen-Broek Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Belgium, Netherlands)

2. Darien Norte Chocoano Biosphere Reserve (Colombia)

3. Madre de las Aguas Biosphere Reserve (Dominican Republic)

4. Niumi Biosphere Reserve (Gambia)

5. Colli Euganei Biosphere Reserve (Italy)

6. Julian Alps Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Italy, Slovenia)

7. Khar Us Lake Biosphere Reserve (Mongolia)

8. Apayaos Biosphere Reserve (Philippines)

9. Changnyeong Biosphere Reserve (South Korea)

10. Val d’Aran Biosphere Reserve (Spain)

11. Irati Biosphere Reserve (Spain).

What are Biosphere Reserves?

• Biosphere reserves are designated under the intergovernmental MAB Programme by the Director-General of UNESCO following the decisions of the MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC). Their status is internationally recognised.

• The Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, launched in 1971, is an international scientific initiative that aims to foster a harmonious relationship between humans and their environment.

Criteria for Designation of BR:

• A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation.

• The core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a viable population representing all trophic levels.

• The involvement of local communities and use of their knowledge in biodiversity preservation.

• Area's potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of the environment.

They integrate three main functions

1. Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity: Managing Biosphere Reserve’s genetic resources, endemic species, ecosystems, and landscapes. Along with the wildlife, culture and customs of tribals are also protected.

2. Development: Promoting economic and human growth that is sustainable on a sociocultural and ecological level. It seeks to strengthen the 3 pillars of sustainable development which are social, economic and protection of the environment.

3. Logistic support: Promoting research activities, environmental education, training and monitoring in the context of local, national and international conservation and sustainable development.

Biosphere Reserves’ three main zones

1. Core Areas: It comprises a strictly protected zone that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation

2. Buffer Zones: It surrounds or adjoins the core area, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education.

3. Transition Area: It is where communities foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities.

• India has 18 biosphere reserves, 12 of which are recognized under this program, with the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve being the first.

Significance of Biosphere Reserve

• Biosphere reserves play an important scientific role, serving as a site for research and monitoring, providing valuable data and insights that can inform environmental management and policy decisions.

• Furthermore, they help in achieving global development targets such as those set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, inter alia, on protecting and restoring significant portions of the Earth’s ecosystems by 2030.

• They also promote unique local sustainable development ideas, safeguard biodiversity, and combat climate change.

About Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB)

• It was initiated by UNESCO in 1971.

• It is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

• MAB integrates natural and social sciences, economics, and education to enhance human well-being, ensure fair distribution of benefits, and preserve natural and managed ecosystems. 

• This promotes creative and culturally suitable approaches to economic development that are environmentally sustainable.