International Day for Biosphere Reserve 2023- November 03

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s International Day for Biosphere Reserve (BR) or World Biosphere Reserve Day is annually observed across the globe on 3 November to raise awareness of the importance of biosphere reserves and to promote their conservation and sustainable use.

• The day serves as a crucial reminder of the need to safeguard the delicate balance between humans and the environment.

3 November 2023 marks the 2nd observance of International Day for BR.

Background:

i.In 2021, UNESCO at its 41st session of General Conference (GC), adopted a resolution (41 C/37) and proclaimed the 3 November of each year as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves.

ii.At the request of Spain and Uruguay, the 211th session of the Executive Board included an agenda item on the proclamation of the International Day for BR.

iii.The first-ever International Day for BR was observed on 3 November 2022.

What is Biosphere Reserve?

A Biosphere Reserve is an area of land and/or sea designated by UNESCO as being of outstanding universal value because of its ecological features.

Note: BRs are not conventional protected areas, they are places where over 275 million people live and work.

Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme:

The MAB Programme launched in 1971, is UNESCO’s oldest intergovernmental scientific programme, aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.

World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR):

i.The MAB Programme’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) was launched in 1976, consists of a dynamic and interactive network of sites of excellence.

ii.It promotes North-South and South-South collaboration and represents a unique tool for international co-operation.

iii.There are 748 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites.

• The highest number of reserves are situated in Spain, Russia and Mexico.
• In 2022, UNESCO declared the world’s 1st 5-country biosphere reserve along Mura-Drava-Danube stretching across Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia.

Biosphere Reserves in India:

i.In India, at present there are 18 notified BRs spanning 60,000 square kilometre (sq km).

ii.The blue mountains of the Nilgiris stretching over Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala, was the 1st BR in India.

iii.The largest BR in India is the Gulf of Kachchh (Gujarat) and the smallest is Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam).

• Other BRs in India includes Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), Sunderbans (West Bengal), and Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh).