PSC Chronicles Team

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, spanning Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, was designated in 1986 as India’s first under UNESCO MAB.

India has 18 notified biosphere reserves, of which 12 are part of UNESCO’s World Network.

Kachchh (Great Rann of Kutch) in Gujarat covers about 12,454 sq km, making it the largest.

Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam, at about 765 sq km, is the smallest biosphere reserve.

Nanda Devi BR is in Uttarakhand, encompassing Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks.

Nokrek is in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, designated in 1988.

Located at southernmost tip of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, designated 1989.

Gulf of Mannar BR lies along Tamil Nadu coast, famous for coral reefs and dugongs.

Manas BR in Assam, contiguous with Bhutan, protects golden langur and pygmy hog.

World’s largest mangrove delta in West Bengal, home to Royal Bengal Tiger.

Simlipal in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, designated 1994.

Located in Assam, a river island ecosystem on Brahmaputra.

Dehang-Dibang in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.

Pachmarhi BR in Madhya Pradesh, includes Satpura National Park.

Khangchendzonga in Sikkim, includes India’s third highest peak.

Agasthyamala covers southern Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Spans Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, source of Narmada River.

Cold Desert in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, designated 2009.

Seshachalam in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, known for red sanders.

Panna in Madhya Pradesh, famous for tiger revival and diamonds.

Nilgiri was included in 2000, followed by Gulf of Mannar and Sundarbans in 2001.

Twelve Indian BRs are recognized by UNESCO: Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarhi, Simlipal, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamala, Khangchendzonga, Panna.

Sundarbans BR protects the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest.

Gulf of Mannar BR has 21 islands with rich coral reefs, sea cows.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks together form a World Heritage Site.

Dehang-Dibang and Manas protect Hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape.

Khangchendzonga National Park was inscribed as India’s first mixed (natural+cultural) World Heritage in 2016.

Kachchh BR includes Great Rann and Little Rann, desert and saline wetlands.

High altitude cold desert, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, medicinal plants.

Named after Sage Agastya, who is believed to have lived in these hills.

Amarkantak plateau in Achanakmar-Amarkantak BR is the origin.

Nicobar megapode, which builds mound nests, is endemic.

Deccan Peninsula, Chhotanagpur plateau region.

Often called ‘Satpura ki Rani’, includes Bori and Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Kachchh BR includes Little Rann, habitat of khur (Equus hemionus khur).

Wild citrus species (Citrus indica) and red panda.

White-winged wood duck, Assam’s state bird, breeds here.

Contiguous with Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus), highly valued timber.

Nanda Devi BR includes Valley of Flowers National Park.

Designated in 1989, UNESCO recognition in 2001.

1989, UNESCO World Network in 2001.

Central India, Vindhya hills, tropical dry deciduous forests.

Manas (1989) and Dibru-Saikhowa (1997) are both in Assam.

Red panda is Sikkim’s state animal, found here.

Added in 2016.

Designated in 2005, UNESCO in 2012.

Includes Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.

1989, UNESCO in 2013.

Dehang-Dibang in Arunachal has over 500 orchid species.