- Why in news
- PIB issued a backgrounder on 2 November 2026 on India's Biosphere Reserves, ahead of the International Day for Biosphere Reserves on 3 November.
- What it is
- Biosphere reserves are areas that national governments identify to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development. They are designated under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme. Each has a core, a buffer and a transition zone, which balance strict protection with human use.
- Indian network
- India has 18 notified biosphere reserves. Thirteen are in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves, the most in South Asia.
- MAB Programme
- UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme was launched in 1971. Biosphere reserves are designated under its framework.
- Zonation
- Each reserve has three zones: core, buffer and transition. Globally the average split is 18% core, 30% buffer and 52% transition.
- Funding
- The Biodiversity Conservation sub-scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, run by State Forest Departments. Cost sharing is 60:40 for most states and 90:10 for North Eastern and Himalayan states.
- International Day
- The International Day for Biosphere Reserves is observed on 3 November. UNESCO proclaimed it.
Don’t confuse with Biosphere reserve vs national park: National parks and sanctuaries are protected under wildlife laws mainly for wildlife and habitat. Biosphere reserves link protected areas with surrounding communities and are not a statutory category under that law.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- They combine biodiversity conservation with community livelihoods and research.
Problems
- Invasive species such as Lantana camara degrade habitat and are costly to remove.
- About 40% of biosphere reserves may face more extreme climate events by 2050.
Way forward
- Invest in research, habitat restoration and community-led conservation, using traditional knowledge with modern monitoring.
Put in your answer
Lantana craft: Indigenous communities in the Nilgiri reserve turn removed Lantana into sculptures and furniture, giving livelihoods and raising awareness of invasive species.
Integrated Management Plans: Since 2022-23, five-year plans have been piloted for Nanda Devi, Pachmarhi, Dehang-Dibang and Agasthyamalai.
- 2014Mains GS4 · Q9Discuss balancing development with environmental quality when both cannot be sacrificed.
- 2019Mains GS3 · Q17Define carrying capacity of an ecosystem and its role in sustainable planning.
- 2025Mains GS1 · Q19Can environmental protection conflict with poor people's needs in India?
- 2006Prelims Q71Where is Bundala Biosphere Reserve, added to UNESCO's MAB network?
- 2008Prelims Q90Which Indian biosphere reserve is not among four on UNESCO's World Network?
- 2019Prelims Q27Which wildlife sanctuaries and reserves lie within Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about Biosphere Reserves in India: 1. Biosphere reserves are identified by national governments, and UNESCO then takes over their legal management. 2. In a biosphere reserve, the transition area supports settlements, livelihoods and sustainable economic activities. 3. The Biodiversity Conservation scheme for biosphere reserves is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 90:10 Centre-State cost sharing for North Eastern and Himalayan States. 4. The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is located in Uttarakhand. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Which of the statements given above are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme was launched in 1971.
True. MAB was launched in 1971.
2.India has 18 notified biosphere reserves, of which 13 are in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
True. 18 notified, 13 in WNBR.
3.In a biosphere reserve, the buffer zone is the area that supports settlements and sustainable economic activities.
False. The transition area supports settlements and livelihoods; the buffer zone allows research, education and regulated ecotourism.
4.The Biodiversity Conservation scheme for biosphere reserves is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 90:10 Centre-State sharing for North Eastern and Himalayan States.
True. 60:40 for other states, 90:10 for NE and Himalayan states.
5.Globally, biosphere reserves have on average the largest share of area in the core zone.
False. The transition zone is largest at 52%, against 18% core and 30% buffer.
6.Biosphere reserves are designated by UNESCO, which then takes over their legal management from national governments.
False. They are identified by national governments; UNESCO only includes them in its World Network.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.