There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India. To protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical national park or animal sanctuary, and that 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
Biosphere Reserves in India:
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – Located in the Western Ghats, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve spans across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It was the first biosphere reserve in India to be established.
- Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve – Located in West Bengal, Sunderbans is the largest delta in the world and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
A Bengal Tiger checks out the conditions before getting into the canal at Sundarban Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India.
- Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve – Located in Tamil Nadu, it is known for its marine biodiversity and coral reefs.
Dugong with tropical fish
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve – Located in Uttarakhand, it is known for its snow-capped peaks and alpine vegetation.
Nanda Devi peak
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve – Located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including the Nicobar megapode, a bird species endemic to the islands.
Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago. It covers 103 870 hectares of unique and threatened tropical evergreen forest ecosystems
- Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve – Located in Madhya Pradesh, it is known for its rich biodiversity, including the Indian giant squirrel and the flying squirrel.
Ratufa indica (Giant Squirrel)
- Simlipal Biosphere Reserve – Located in Odisha, it is known for its dense forests and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian elephant, and Indian bison.
Twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.