The 3 November 2022 was the first International Day for Biosphere Reserves.
Key points
- An event showcasing the contribution of the biosphere reserves to sustainable development was organised at UNESCO Headquarters in collaboration with all the regions of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
- This also marked the end of the two years celebration of the 50th anniversary of Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
About World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)
- The World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) was formed in 1971, as a backbone for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and living in harmony with nature.
- There are now 738 properties in 134 countries, including 12 in India, four in Sri Lanka, and three in the Maldives.
- In South Asia, over 30 biosphere reserves have been established.
- The first one was the Hurulu Biosphere Reserve, in Sri Lanka, with 25,500 hectares of tropical dry evergreen forest.
- In India, the first biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2000, namely, the blue mountains of the Nilgiris stretching over Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
- Spain, with a landmass of 506,000 km2, and a population of 47.4 million is one of the lead participating WNBR countries globally, with 53 properties.
