Expanding Biosphere Footprint

In News

• November 3 is the first ‘The International Day for Biosphere Reserves’, to be celebrated beginning 2022. 

More about The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)

• About:
  • The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) was formed in 1971.
  • WNBR covers internationally designated protected areas, known as biosphere reserves, which are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature (e.g. encourage sustainable development).
    • They are created under the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB).
• About the biosphere reserves:
  • All biosphere reserves are internationally recognised sites on land, at the coast, or in the oceans. 
  • There are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites. They are distributed as follows:
    • 90 sites in 33 countries in Africa
    • 36 sites in 14 countries in the Arab States
    • 172 sites in 24 countries in Asia and the Pacific
    • 308 sites in 41 countries in Europe and North America
    • 132 sites in 22 countries Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • India has 12 internationally recognised BRs. They are as follows:
    • Nilgiri
    • Gulf of Mannar
    • Sunderban
    • Nanda Devi
    • Nokrek
    • Pachmarhi
    • Similipal
    • Achanakmar-Amarkantak
    • Great Nicobar
    • Agasthyamala
    • Khangchendzonga
    • Panna
• Nomination & approval of biosphere reserves:
  • Governments alone decide which areas to nominate. 
  • Before approval by UNESCO, the sites are externally examined. 
  • If approved, they will be managed based on a plan, reinforced by credibility checks while remaining under the sovereignty of their national government.
• Functions of Biosphere Reserves:
  • Biosphere Reserves involve local communities and all interested stakeholders in planning and management. They integrate three main “functions”:
  • Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity
  • Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable
  • Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training.

Structure of Biosphere Reserve

• They are demarcated into the following 3 interrelated zones:
• Core Zone: 
  • Includes protected areas, as they act as reference points on the natural state of the ecosystems represented by the biosphere reserves. Have endemic species of plants & animals. 
  • A core zone is a protected region, like a National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 
  • It is kept free from human interference.
• Buffer Zone: 
  • The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and its activities are managed in this area in ways that help in the protection of the core zone in its natural condition.
  • It includes restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, etc; which are permitted to reduce its effect on the core zone.
  • Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.
• Transition Zone: 
  • It is the outermost part of the biosphere reserve. It is the zone of cooperation where human ventures and conservation are done in harmony.
  • It includes settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

Expansion of biosphere reserves

• Biosphere reserves in Asia:
  • There are 12 BRs in India, four in Sri Lanka, and three in the Maldives.
  • Some of the countries in South Asia do not yet have any or enough biosphere reserves. 
    • Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal do not have biospheres as yet.
  • In most, if not all cases, the political will is certainly there, but there is a lack of know-how and financial resources. 
• Need for expansion:
  • According to the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services released in 2019 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are:
    • Climate change, 
    • Invasive species, 
    • Over-exploitation of natural resources, 
    • Pollution and 
    • Urbanisation.
  • The ecological carrying capacity of planet earth has largely been exceeded because of our collective excesses.
  • Therefore, the need was felt to address this trend with cleaner air, high-quality drinking water, and enough food and healthy habitats to ensure that ecosystem services continue to benefit humanity without critically affecting nature’s balance. 

Way Ahead

• The ‘South and Central Asia MAB Reserve’ Networking Meeting (where MAB stands Man and the Biosphere) is planned for 2023, to advance biosphere reserve establishment and management. 
• In addition, an expert mission has been planned for spring 2023 — to Bhutan, India’s north-east and the Sundarbans in Bangladesh.
• With at least one biosphere reserve per country in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal until 2025 (with additional biosphere reserves in India’s North-East and along the coasts) it will give realisation to millions of people that a better future is truly possible — one where we will truly live in harmony with nature.

Source: TH