There are 18 biosphere reserves in India. [ 1 ] They protect larger areas of natural habitat than a typical national park or animal sanctuary , and often include one or more national parks or reserves, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses.

The chain of low islands and reefs known as Ramsethu (Adam’s Bridge), which includes Mannar Island, separates the Gulf of Mannar from Palk Bay, which lies to the north between Sri Lanka and India. The biosphere reserve comprises islands with estuaries, seagrasses, coral reefs, salt marshes and mangroves .

Explore the comprehensive guide to Biosphere Reserves in India, including their history, key fauna, zones, and UNESCO protection status.

This article will talk about the 11 biosphere reserves of India that are now considered as UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserve, important from the UPSC exam perspective. Also, the list of 18 Biosphere Reserves in India has been given further below in the article.

A scheme called Biosphere Reserve is being implemented by the Government of India since 1986, in which financial assistance is given in 90:10 ratio to the Northeastern Region States and three Himalayan states and in the ratio of 60:40 to other states for maintenance, improvement, and development of certain items.