BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA Complete Notes for Competitive Examinations

 

BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA

Complete Notes for Competitive Examinations

By Home Academy

Introduction

India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of biodiversity. To protect forests, wildlife, ecosystems, and traditional lifestyles together, India established Biosphere Reserves. These areas are not only meant for conservation but also for promoting sustainable development.

For competitive examinations such as JKSSB, SSC, UPSC, JKPSC, Banking, UGC NET, and State Exams, Biosphere Reserves are an important topic under Environment and Ecology.

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What is a Biosphere Reserve?

A Biosphere Reserve is a large protected area established to conserve biodiversity while allowing people to live and use natural resources sustainably.

It protects:

Plants

Animals
Ecosystems
Traditional communities
Natural resources

The concept was introduced under the Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO.

Simple Definition:

A Biosphere Reserve is an area where conservation and development work together.

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Objectives of Biosphere Reserve

1. Conservation of biodiversity

2. Protection of endangered species

3. Sustainable development

4. Promotion of scientific research

5. Environmental education

6. Protection of cultural values

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Structure of Biosphere Reserve

Every Biosphere Reserve generally has three zones:

1. Core Zone

• Strictly protected area

• Human activities prohibited

• Wildlife conservation only

2. Buffer Zone

• Research and eco-tourism allowed

• Limited human activity

3. Transition Zone

• Human settlements allowed

• Sustainable economic activities permitted

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Biosphere Reserves in India – Important Facts

Total Biosphere Reserves in India → 18

First Biosphere Reserve → Nilgiri (1986)
Largest Biosphere Reserve → Great Rann of Kachchh
Marine Biosphere Reserve → Gulf of Mannar
First Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve → Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh)

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Complete List of Biosphere Reserves in India

1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1986

• Area: Approx. 5,520 km²

• States:

  • Tamil Nadu

  • Kerala

  • Karnataka

• Importance:

  • First Biosphere Reserve in India

  • Rich biodiversity

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2. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1988

• State: Uttarakhand

• Area: Approx. 5,860 km²

• Famous for:

  • Himalayan ecosystem

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3. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1988

• State: Meghalaya

• Area: Approx. 820 km²

• Special Feature:

  • Wild citrus species

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4. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1989

• Location:

  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• Area: Approx. 885 km²

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5. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1989

• State: Tamil Nadu

• Area: Approx. 10,500 km²

• Special Feature:

  • Marine biodiversity

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6. Manas Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1989

• State: Assam

• Famous for:

  • Wildlife diversity

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7. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1989

• State: West Bengal

• Special Feature:

  • Largest mangrove ecosystem

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8. Similipal Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1994

• State: Odisha

• Famous for:

  • Tigers and elephants

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9. Dibru–Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1997

• State: Assam

• Feature:

  • River ecosystem

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10. Dihang–Dibang Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1998

• State: Arunachal Pradesh

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11. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 1999

• State:

  • Madhya Pradesh

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12. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2000

• State:

  • Sikkim

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13. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2001

• States:

  • Kerala

  • Tamil Nadu

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14. Achanakmar–Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2005

• States:

  • Madhya Pradesh

  • Chhattisgarh

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15. Great Rann of Kachchh Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2008

• State:

  • Gujarat

• Special:

  • Largest Biosphere Reserve

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16. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2009

• State:

  • Himachal Pradesh

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17. Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2010

• State:

  • Andhra Pradesh

• Famous for:

  • Red Sanders

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18. Panna Biosphere Reserve

• Formation: 2011

• State:

  • Madhya Pradesh

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Important One-Liners

• First Biosphere Reserve → Nilgiri

• Largest Biosphere Reserve → Great Rann of Kachchh

• Marine Biosphere Reserve → Gulf of Mannar

• Mangrove Biosphere Reserve → Sundarbans

• Red Sanders → Seshachalam Hills

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Most Important MCQs (Home Academy Style)

Q1. Which was the first Biosphere Reserve of India?

A. Sundarbans
B. Nilgiri
C. Panna
D. Manas

Answer: B

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Q2. Total Biosphere Reserves in India are:

A. 15
B. 16
C. 18
D. 20

Answer: C

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Q3. Largest Biosphere Reserve in India?

A. Nilgiri
B. Sundarbans
C. Great Rann of Kachchh
D. Manas

Answer: C

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Q4. Which Biosphere Reserve is famous for mangroves?

A. Similipal
B. Sundarbans
C. Panna
D. Nokrek

Answer: B

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Q5. Red Sanders is associated with:

A. Seshachalam Hills
B. Nilgiri
C. Panna
D. Nokrek

Answer: A

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Home Academy Revision Line

“NNNGMMSSDDPKAGGSCP”

(Nilgiri → Nanda Devi → Nokrek → Great Nicobar → Gulf of Mannar → Manas → Sundarbans → Similipal → Dibru → Dihang → Pachmarhi → Khangchendzonga → Agasthyamalai → Great Rann → Seshachalam → Cold Desert → Panna)

UNESCO Recognized Biosphere Reserves (Important for Exams)

S.No	Biosphere Reserve
1	Nilgiri
2	Gulf of Mannar
3	Sundarbans
4	Nanda Devi
5	Nokrek
6	Pachmarhi
7	Similipal
8	Achanakmar–Amarkantak
9	Great Nicobar
10	Agasthyamalai
11	Khangchendzonga
12	Panna
13	Cold Desert

Complete Table of Biosphere Reserves in India

S.No	Biosphere Reserve	Year of Formation	State / UT	Approx. Area (km²)	Important Facts
1	Nilgiri	1986	Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka	5,520	First Biosphere Reserve of India
2	Nanda Devi	1988	Uttarakhand	5,860	Himalayan ecosystem
3	Nokrek	1988	Meghalaya	820	Wild citrus diversity
4	Great Nicobar	1989	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	885	Island ecosystem
5	Gulf of Mannar	1989	Tamil Nadu	10,500	Marine Biosphere Reserve
6	Manas	1989	Assam	2,837	Wildlife conservation area
7	Sundarbans	1989	West Bengal	9,630	Largest mangrove ecosystem
8	Similipal	1994	Odisha	4,374	Tiger and elephant habitat
9	Dibru–Saikhowa	1997	Assam	765	River ecosystem
10	Dihang–Dibang	1998	Arunachal Pradesh	5,112	Eastern Himalayan biodiversity
11	Pachmarhi	1999	Madhya Pradesh	4,981	Satpura region
12	Khangchendzonga	2000	Sikkim	2,931	Mountain ecosystem
13	Agasthyamalai	2001	Kerala & Tamil Nadu	3,500	Medicinal plant diversity
14	Achanakmar–Amarkantak	2005	Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh	3,835	Origin area of rivers
15	Great Rann of Kachchh	2008	Gujarat	12,454	Largest Biosphere Reserve
16	Cold Desert	2009	Himachal Pradesh	7,770	Cold desert ecosystem
17	Seshachalam Hills	2010	Andhra Pradesh	4,755	Red Sanders forest
18	Panna	2011	Madhya Pradesh