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

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
11989Great NicobarRecognized (2013)

Andhra Pradesh

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
22010Seshachalam HillsNot Recognized

Arunachal Pradesh

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
31998Dihang-DibangNot Recognized

Assam

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
41989ManasNot Recognized
51997Dibru-SaikhowaNot Recognized

Chhattisgarh & MP

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
62005Achanakmar-AmarkantakRecognized (2012)

Gujarat

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
72008Kachchh (Great Rann)Not Recognized

Himachal Pradesh

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
82009Cold DesertRecognized (2025)

Karnataka, Kerala & TN

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
91986Nilgiri (India's 1st)Recognized (2000)

Kerala & Tamil Nadu

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
102001AgasthyamalaiRecognized (2016)

Madhya Pradesh

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
111999PachmarhiRecognized (2009)
122011PannaRecognized (2020)

Meghalaya

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
131988NokrekRecognized (2009)

Odisha

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
141994SimlipalRecognized (2009)

Sikkim

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
152000KhangchendzongaRecognized (2018)

Tamil Nadu

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
161989Gulf of MannarRecognized (2001)

Uttarakhand

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
171988Nanda DeviRecognized (2004)

West Bengal

#YearBiosphere Reserve NameUNESCO Status
181989SundarbansRecognized (2001)