The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO)’s International Day for Biosphere Reserves(BR) or World Biosphere Reserve Day is annually celebrated on 3rd November to create awareness about the significance of BR and to promote their conservation and sustainable use.
- The day provides a platform to safeguard the delicate balance between humans and the environment.
3rd November 2024 marks the observance of the 3rd International Day for BR.
Background:
i.The 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference adopted the resolution (41 C/37) and proclaimed the 3rd November of every year as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves in 2021.
ii.The 211th session of the Executive Board included an agenda item on the proclamation of the International Day for BR at the request of Spain and Uruguay.
iii.The first-ever International Day for Biosphere Reserves was observed on 3rd November 2022.
Biosphere Reserve(BR):
i.The Biosphere Reserves(BR) are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity. They are places that provide local solutions to global challenges.
ii.BRs, nominated by national governments, remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
iii.The World Network of Biosphere Reserves has 759 sites in 136 countries this includes 25 transboundary sites.
Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB):
i.The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.
ii.It combines the natural and social sciences with an aim to improve human livelihoods and safeguard natural and managed ecosystems.
Biosphere reserves in India:
i.There are a total of 12 biosphere reserves in India which have been recognized internationally under the MAB program.
ii.The Blue Mountains in Nilgiris spread over Tamil Nadu(TN), Karnataka and Kerala was the first Biosphere reserve of India.
iii.The other Biosphere reserve in India includes Gulf of Mannar, Sunderbans, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Similipal, Pachmarhi, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamala, Khangchendzonga and Panna.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General(DG) – Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters – Paris, France
Founded – 1945
