General Awareness
Biosphere Reserves
Biosphere Reserves in India (18)
About Biosphere Reserves
There are 18 biosphere reserves in India. [1] They protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical national park or animal sanctuary, and often include one or more national parks or reserves, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life. In total there are 18 biosphere reserves in India.
Andaman & Nicobar
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1989 | Great Nicobar | Recognized (2013) |
Andhra Pradesh
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2010 | Seshachalam Hills | Not Recognized |
Arunachal Pradesh
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1998 | Dihang-Dibang | Not Recognized |
Assam
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1989 | Manas | Not Recognized |
| 5 | 1997 | Dibru-Saikhowa | Not Recognized |
Chhattisgarh & MP
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2005 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak | Recognized (2012) |
Gujarat
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2008 | Kachchh (Great Rann) | Not Recognized |
Himachal Pradesh
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2009 | Cold Desert | Recognized (2025) |
Karnataka, Kerala & TN
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1986 | Nilgiri (India's 1st) | Recognized (2000) |
Kerala & Tamil Nadu
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2001 | Agasthyamalai | Recognized (2016) |
Madhya Pradesh
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1999 | Pachmarhi | Recognized (2009) |
| 12 | 2011 | Panna | Recognized (2020) |
Meghalaya
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1988 | Nokrek | Recognized (2009) |
Odisha
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1994 | Simlipal | Recognized (2009) |
Sikkim
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 2000 | Khangchendzonga | Recognized (2018) |
Tamil Nadu
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 1989 | Gulf of Mannar | Recognized (2001) |
Uttarakhand
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 1988 | Nanda Devi | Recognized (2004) |
West Bengal
| # | Year | Biosphere Reserve Name | UNESCO Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1989 | Sundarbans | Recognized (2001) |