The International Day for Biosphere Reserves.

• The first ‘The International Day for Biosphere Reserves’, celebrated on November 3, 2022.
• The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) was formed in 1971.
• WNBR covers internationally designated protected areas, known as biosphere reserves, which are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature (e.g. encourage sustainable development).
• They are created under the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).

About the biosphere reserves:

• All biosphere reserves are internationally recognised sites on land, at the coast, or in the oceans.

There are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites. They are distributed as follows:

• 90 sites in 33 countries in Africa
• 36 sites in 14 countries in the Arab States
• 172 sites in 24 countries in Asia and the Pacific
• 308 sites in 41 countries in Europe and North America
• 132 sites in 22 countries Latin America and the Caribbean.

India has 12 internationally recognised BRs. They are as follows:

• Nilgiri
• Gulf of Mannar
• Sunderban
• Nanda Devi
• Nokrek
• Pachmarhi
• Similipal
• Achanakmar-Amarkantak
• Great Nicobar
• Agasthyamala
• Khangchendzonga
• Panna

Nomination & approval of biosphere reserves:

• Governments alone decide which areas to nominate.
• Before approval by UNESCO, the sites are externally examined.
• If approved, they will be managed based on a plan, reinforced by credibility checks while remaining under the sovereignty of their national government.