Presently, there are 18 notified Biosphere Reserves in India. Out of these, 13 are recognized by UNESCO in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. India has 13 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as of 2025. Explore the complete list, locations, and their role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. In this article, we will learn about what is biosphere reserve and its key features along with the list of biosphere reserves in India. A biosphere reserve is an internationally recognized ecosystem that protects nature and wildlife while allowing people to live and use resources in a balanced way. In other words, a biosphere reserve is a specially protected area that balance conservation, environment, and sustainable use of natural resources. Biosphere Reserves in India 2024 Following the initiation of the MAB-Man and Biosphere Programme in 1971, UNESCO compiled a roster of Biosphere Reserves, aligning them with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). India boasts a total of 18 such reserves.
