Biosphere Reserves: Balancing Man & Nature

Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are designated areas for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development. Unlike National Parks, they involve local communities in the management and conservation efforts.

Structure of a Biosphere Reserve

• Core Area: Strictly protected ecosystem; no human activity allowed except monitoring.
• Buffer Zone: Surrounds the core; limited human activities like research and education are permitted.
• Transition Area: The outermost part where local communities and conservationists work together for sustainable resource management.

UNESCO MAB Programme

• Origin: Launched in 1971, the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme is an intergovernmental scientific program.
• WNBR: India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, and out of these, 12 are recognized under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
• Latest Entry: Panna Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) was the 12th site from India to join the WNBR.

Question for you: Which Biosphere Reserve in India was the first to be included in the UNESCO MAB list?

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