In September 2025, the 37th Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Coordinating Council for the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme was held in Paris, France.
- During this session, India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR), Himachal Pradesh (HP) was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
- Part of 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves held in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China.
Exam Hints:
- What? 37th session UNESCO international council for MAB held
- Where? Paris
- New reserves added: 26
- India reserve: CDBR, HP
- India ramsar sites: Gokul Jalashay, Udaipur Jheel
- Countries 1st biosphere reserve: Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan
- Entire territory as BR: Sao Tome and Principe
India specific Key Highlights:
Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve: The Cold Desert becomes India’s 13th biosphere reserve to enter the UNESCO WNBR.
- The reserve spans 7,770 sq.km (square kilometre) across HP’s Lahaul-Spiti district.
- It is situated at altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 meters, the region represents one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in the world.
- It is divided into three zones: core (2,665 sq. km), buffer (3,977 sq. km), and transition (1,128 sq. km), to balance conservation goals with sustainable community practices.
- It integrates Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and the Sarchu plains
World specific Key Highlights:
Global Reserves: During this session, the UNESCO designated 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries, the highest number in 20 years.
- The WNBR now includes 785 sites in 142 countries, with an additional 1 million (mn) sq km of natural areas brought under protection since 2018.
First designations: This year, six countries welcomed their first biosphere reserve, while Sao Tome and Principe became the first state to have its entire territory designated as a biosphere reserve.
- Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan are the 6 countries welcoming their first biosphere reserve.
Biosphere reserve: It is a UNESCO-designated protected area that serves as a site for conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development, emphasizing the co-existence of humans and nature.
| 26 New Biosphere Reserves | ||
|---|---|---|
| S.No | Country | Biosphere Reserve (BR) |
| 1 | Albania | Vjosa Valley BR |
| 2 | Angola | Quiçama BR |
| 3 | China | Daqingshan BR |
| 4 | China | Zhouzhi BR |
| 5 | Djibouti | Archipel des Sept Frères – Ras Siyyan – Khor Angar – Godoria islands BR |
| 6 | Equatorial Guinea | Isla de Bioko BR |
| 7 | Ethiopia | Anywaa Forest BR |
| 8 | France | Lac du Bourget BR |
| 9 | France | Marshes and Tides BR |
| 10 | Greece | Mount Parnon – Cape Maleas BR |
| 11 | Iceland | Snæfellsnes BR |
| 12 | India | Cold Desert BR |
| 13 | Indonesia | Raja Ampat BR |
| 14 | Jordan | Ajloun BR |
| 15 | Jordan | Yarmouk BR |
| 16 | Madagascar | Mantadia BR |
| 17 | Madagascar | Tsimembo BR |
| 18 | Malaysia | Kinabatangan BR |
| 19 | Mongolia | Khomyn Tal BR |
| 20 | Oman | Al Jabal Al Akhdar BR |
| 21 | Oman | Sirrin BR |
| 22 | Portugal | Arrábida BR |
| 23 | Saudi Arabia | Imam Turki Bin Abdullah BR |
| 24 | São Tomé and Príncipe | Ilha de São Tomé BR |
| 25 | Sweden | Storkriket BR |
| 26 | Tajikistan | Romit BR |
Ramsar Sites: India also added two new Ramsar sites from Bihar, Gokul Jalashay (448 hectare (ha)) in Buxar district and Udaipur Jheel (319 ha) in West Champaran district of Bihar.
- With 93 Ramsar sites spanning 13,60,719 ha, India is 1st in Asia in terms of the number of sites and 3rd in the world overall after the UK (176) and Mexico (144).
Important Note:
Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme: The MAB programme operates under the guidance of UNESCO Member States, and its International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) is its main governing body.
- It aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.
- It is composed of 34 Member States and usually meets once a year.
Ramsar sites: They are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, headquartered in Switzerland.
- With 93 ramsar sites in India, Tamil Nadu (TN) state has the maximum number of ramsar sites, with 20 sites.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO):
It is the United Nation (UN) organization that promotes cooperation in education, science, culture and communication to foster peace worldwide. The Organization has 194 Members and 12 Associate Members.
Director General: Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters: Paris, France
Member Nations: 194
Established: 1945
