Biosphere Reserves in India

India’s Biosphere Reserves are large areas representing important terrestrial, coastal or marine ecosystems where biodiversity conservation is combined with research, education and sustainable development. They are designed to conserve ecosystems and biological diversity while recognising the role of local communities and their livelihoods.

India has 18 designated Biosphere Reserves, covering approximately 91,425 sq km across a wide range of landscapes, from the Western Ghats and Himalayas to deserts, islands, forests, wetlands and coastal ecosystems.

Complete List of Biosphere Reserves in India

*The state-wise designation and area figures above are based on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Biosphere Reserve information. UNESCO’s World Network status has subsequently changed: Cold Desert was added to the World Network in 2025, making it India’s 13th UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserve.

13 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India

Thirteen of India’s 18 Biosphere Reserves are currently included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) under the Man and the Biosphere Programme.

1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
2. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
3. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
4. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
5. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve
6. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
7. Similipal Biosphere Reserve
8. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
9. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
10. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
11. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
12. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
13. Panna Biosphere Reserve

Note: Being a Biosphere Reserve in India’s national programme and being part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves are not the same designation. India has 18 nationally designated Biosphere Reserves, of which 13 are currently recognised in UNESCO’s World Network.

WildlifeSafaris.in provides detailed information on India’s wildlife landscapes, protected areas, species and conservation regions, helping readers explore the natural diversity represented by these Biosphere Reserves.

The 5 of India’s 18 nationally designated Biosphere Reserves that are not currently part of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) are:

1. Manas Biosphere Reserve — Assam
2. Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve — Assam
3. Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve — Arunachal Pradesh
4. Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve — Gujarat
5. Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve — Andhra Pradesh

What Is a Biosphere Reserve?

A Biosphere Reserve is a large landscape designated to conserve biodiversity while also supporting research, education and sustainable development. Unlike a conventional protected-area designation, a Biosphere Reserve can encompass protected areas as well as human settlements and areas where sustainable economic activity takes place.

The UNESCO framework broadly recognises three complementary functions:

• Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems
• Sustainable development that supports local communities
• Research, education and monitoring to improve understanding and management of ecosystems

Biosphere Reserve vs National Park

A Biosphere Reserve should not be treated as simply another name for a National Park.

A National Park is a legally defined protected area with specific wildlife and habitat protection provisions. A Biosphere Reserve is a much broader landscape-level conservation and sustainable-development framework and may contain National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and other landscapes within it.

For example, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve encompasses Pin Valley National Park and the Kibber and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuaries within its wider landscape.

Biosphere Reserves and Local Communities

One of the distinctive features of the Biosphere Reserve concept is the recognition that people can be an integral part of the landscape.

The Indian programme aims not only to conserve biodiversity but also to support local communities, integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research and encourage sustainable use of natural resources.

India’s Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO

India’s national Biosphere Reserve programme and UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme are related but should not be confused.

India has 18 nationally designated Biosphere Reserves. Of these, 13 are currently included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The addition of Cold Desert in 2025 brought India’s UNESCO total to 13.

UNESCO recognition provides international recognition within the MAB framework, but Biosphere Reserves remain under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the country in which they are located.

Wildlife of India’s Biosphere Reserves

The 18 Biosphere Reserves represent an exceptionally diverse range of habitats and wildlife.

Depending on the landscape, they provide habitat for species such as tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, snow leopards, Himalayan ungulates, primates, marine species, birds and numerous endemic plants and animals.

Some Biosphere Reserves are particularly important for wildlife tourism, while others are primarily significant for conservation, research and ecological protection.

Explore India’s Biosphere Reserves

WildlifeSafaris.in is building detailed guides to India’s wildlife landscapes, protected areas and major conservation regions.

Explore individual Biosphere Reserves to learn about their location, ecosystems, wildlife, protected areas, attractions, conservation importance and travel considerations.

Explore India’s Biosphere Reserves and discover the landscapes where conservation, wildlife and human communities meet.