Maarg Manthan · Topic 7.7

Biosphere Reserves, Sacred Forests, Sacred Lakes

Environment & Ecology › Threats to Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies · Topic 7.7

Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme, launched in 1971, that combine conservation with sustainable development and local participation. Each has three zones: a legally protected core zone, a buffer zone around it for research, education and limited activities, and a transition zone where communities carry on sustainable farming, settlement and other uses. India has 18 biosphere reserves, of which about twelve or more are in the UNESCO World Network, among them Nilgiri, Sundarbans, Gulf of Mannar, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarhi, Simlipal, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamala, Khangchendzonga and Panna; check the latest list. Sacred forests (groves) and sacred lakes are patches protected by local communities for cultural and religious reasons, such as Law Kyntang in Meghalaya and Khecheopalri lake in Sikkim.

6 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · Threats to Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies

At a Glance

Programme UNESCO MAB, 1971
Zones Core, buffer, transition
India’s reserves 18
First in India Nilgiri, 1986
Sacred grove Law Kyntang
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: Threats to Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the categories of protected areas. It covers the multi-use biosphere reserve model and community-protected sacred places, and leads to heritage sites. Previous topic: In-Situ Methods of Conservation: Protected Area Categories and Forms. Next topic: World Heritage Sites and Geo-Heritage Sites.

What Are the Zones and Indian Examples of Biosphere Reserves?

Feature	Details
Core zone	Strictly protected, undisturbed, legally notified as national park or sanctuary; no human activity except monitoring
Buffer zone	Surrounds the core; limited uses such as research, education and eco-tourism
Transition zone	Outermost; people live and practise sustainable agriculture, forestry and fishing
Nilgiri (1986)	First Indian biosphere reserve; Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka; Western Ghats; Nilgiri tahr, lion-tailed macaque
Sundarbans (1989)	West Bengal; mangroves; Bengal tiger; UNESCO MAB network
Gulf of Mannar (1989)	Tamil Nadu; coral reefs, seagrass, dugong
Others	Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand), Simlipal (Odisha), Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh), Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamala, Khangchendzonga, Dibru-Saikhowa, Dehang-Dibang, Manas, Kachchh, Cold Desert, Seshachalam, Panna

What Are Sacred Groves and Sacred Lakes?

Sacred groves: forest patches protected by communities; Devrai (Maharashtra), Kavu (Kerala), Sarnas (Jharkhand), Law Kyntang and Law Lyngdoh (Meghalaya), Orans (Rajasthan), Devarakadu (Karnataka), Deovan (Himachal)
Features: often with water bodies, rare plants and animals; cutting is taboo
Threats: encroachment, loss of belief, development and invasive species
Khecheopalri Lake: a sacred lake in Sikkim, wish-fulfilling lake for Buddhists and Hindus
Other sacred lakes: Pushkar in Rajasthan, Manasarovar (Tibet), Gurudongmar in Sikkim, Pangong Tso (Ladakh) with cultural importance
Sacred rivers and ghats: Ganga and Yamuna
Role: act as refuges for biodiversity and water sources, and show indigenous conservation ethics
Legal status: many have no formal protection; some are recognised as community reserves

What Else Should You Remember?

MAB programme: launched 1971 by UNESCO; Man and Biosphere
World Network of Biosphere Reserves: over 700 sites in about 130 countries; check the latest
Seville Strategy: 1995 plan for biosphere reserves
Madrid Action Plan: 2008-2013 programme
Lima Action Plan: 2016-2025 plan for MAB
Indian MAB committee: at the Ministry of Environment, advises on biosphere reserves
Funding: centrally sponsored scheme for biosphere reserves, ‘Development of Biosphere Reserves’
Ministry designation: the Government of India designates reserves and then nominates them to UNESCO
Number in network: about twelve of India’s reserves are in the UNESCO network, with Agasthyamala added in 2016, Khangchendzonga in 2018 and Panna in 2020
Cold Desert: largest biosphere reserve in India by area, in Himachal Pradesh; snow leopard
Nokrek: Meghalaya; red panda
Seshachalam hills: Andhra Pradesh; red sanders
Pachmarhi: Madhya Pradesh; Satpura range
Panna: Madhya Pradesh; tiger
Simlipal: Odisha; tiger; melanistic tigers
Achanakmar-Amarkantak: spans Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; source of Narmada
Great Nicobar: Nicobar megapode; salt-water crocodile; subject of a major port project
Nanda Devi: World Heritage Site as Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers
Link to previous: see In-Situ Methods of Conservation: Protected Area Categories and Forms
Link to next: see World Heritage Sites and Geo-Heritage Sites
Link to MAB: see Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Caution: Indian lists of 18 reserves and the UNESCO-recognised ones can change; verify before quoting
Biosphere reserve not a legal category: core zones are legally protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, but the biosphere reserve label itself is a designation
Exam hint: learn the three zones and Nilgiri as first, plus the UNESCO list
Biosphere reserve functions: three roles are conservation of landscapes and species, sustainable development of the local economy, and logistic support for research, monitoring and education
Nokrek: declared in 1988 in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, with citrus gene sanctuary for wild relatives of oranges
Gulf of Mannar: first marine biosphere reserve in South and Southeast Asia, covering 21 islands with coral reefs and seagrass
Sundarbans: largest mangrove forest on Earth, shared with Bangladesh, also with Ramsar and World Heritage recognition
Dibru-Saikhowa: Assam; feral horses and the white-winged wood duck are a draw
Agasthyamala: Kerala and Tamil Nadu; rich in medicinal plants and a source of the Tamirabarani river
Khangchendzonga: Sikkim; snow leopard and red panda in high alpine landscapes
Periodic review: each UNESCO reserve is reviewed every ten years to check the zones and management
Local role: sacred groves such as Khecheopalri in Sikkim show how faith and ecology overlap, and community involvement is key
Seshachalam: Andhra Pradesh; the hills hold the endemic red sanders tree and spectacular geological features

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Zones: core, buffer, transition
First: Nilgiri
Count: 18 in India
Current affairs link: new UNESCO listings
Common errors: calling biosphere reserves a Wildlife Act category or swapping zones

As an analytical point, biosphere reserves aim to unite conservation and development, and sacred groves show that culture can protect nature without law. Both models depend on local trust and benefits.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Zones Three
Aim Conservation with use
Culture Sacred sites

What Came Next?

The next topic covers World Heritage Sites and geo-heritage sites. Next topic: World Heritage Sites and Geo-Heritage Sites.

Key People and Terms

Biosphere reserve Multi-zone conservation area
Core zone Strictly protected area
Buffer zone Limited-use ring
Transition zone Outer use area
MAB Man and Biosphere
Sacred grove Community forest patch

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

MAB started in 1971.
Nilgiri was first (1986).
Three zones: core, buffer, transition.
Cold Desert is the largest.
Law Kyntang is in Meghalaya.

Do Not Confuse With

Biosphere reserve and national park Designation with zones versus statutory park
Buffer and transition zone Inner limited use versus outer settlement zone
Sacred grove and community reserve Cultural protection versus legal category

Memory Hook

Core is closed, buffer is careful, transition is home.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for zones and lists. These points help.

Concept Zones
India Reserves
Culture Groves

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Explain the concept and zonation of biosphere reserves and discuss the role of sacred groves in conservation in India.”

How to Answer

Concept MAB.
Zones Three.
India List.
Groves Culture.

GS Relevance

Prelims: zones, MAB, list of Indian reserves, sacred groves and lakes. GS Paper 3: conservation and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a biosphere reserve?

A biosphere reserve is an area of land and coastal ecosystem designated under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable development and research. It is divided into a core zone, buffer zone and transition zone, and involves local communities in management.

What are the three zones of a biosphere reserve?

The core zone is a legally protected area with no human activity, the buffer zone around it allows research, education and limited sustainable uses, and the transition zone is the outer area where local people live and practise farming, forestry and other activities in a sustainable way, along with managers and scientists.

Which was the first biosphere reserve in India?

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats, covering parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, was the first biosphere reserve of India, established in 1986. It was also the first Indian reserve to be included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, in 2000.

What are sacred groves?

Sacred groves are patches of forest or vegetation protected by local communities because of religious beliefs or cultural traditions. Cutting trees, hunting or collecting is forbidden, so they preserve native biodiversity and water sources. Examples include Kavu in Kerala, Devrai in Maharashtra and Law Kyntang in Meghalaya.

How is a biosphere reserve different from a national park?

A national park is a legal category under the Wildlife Protection Act with strict protection and no human use. A biosphere reserve is a larger designation that includes a legally protected core, a buffer area and a transition zone with human settlements and sustainable use, so it combines conservation with development.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 A biosphere reserve has a core, buffer and transition zone.

True

Three zones.

2 Biosphere reserves are declared under the Wildlife Protection Act.

False

They are a designation; only the core may be legally protected.

3 The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first in India.