India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves. Of these, 13 have been recognized under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The most recent UNESCO recognition was for Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) in September 2025, making it India's 13th UNESCO-recognized Biosphere Reserve. UPSC tests the distinction between UNESCO-recognized and non-UNESCO reserves, their zones, flagship species, and which other protected areas fall within them.

Structure of a Biosphere Reserve: Core Zone (strictly protected, no human activity) → Buffer Zone (limited research/eco-tourism) → Transition Zone (sustainable use by local communities).

All 18 Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere Reserve State(s) UNESCO MAB Year Designated (India) Year UNESCO Key Species / Features
Nilgiri Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka Yes 1986 2000 First in India; Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Elephant, Tiger; includes Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Silent Valley, Mukurthi NPs
Nanda Devi Uttarakhand Yes 1988 2004 Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Himalayan Brown Bear; includes Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers NPs
Nokrek Meghalaya Yes 1988 2009 Red Panda, Slow Loris; centre of citrus diversity; Garo Hills
Great Nicobar Andaman & Nicobar Yes 1989 2013 Leatherback Sea Turtle, Nicobar Megapode, Saltwater Crocodile; southernmost tip of India
Gulf of Mannar Tamil Nadu Yes 1989 2001 Dugong, Sea Turtles, Coral; first marine BR in South/Southeast Asia
Manas Assam Yes 1989 2001 Golden Langur, One-horned Rhino, Tiger; UNESCO WH Site also
Sundarbans West Bengal Yes 1989 2001 Mangrove Tiger, Irrawaddy Dolphin, Estuarine Crocodile; largest mangrove forest; Ramsar site
Simlipal Odisha Yes 1994 2009 Tiger, Elephant, Melanistic Tiger; sal forests; Simlipal NP within it
Dibru-Saikhowa Assam No 1986 — Feral Horses, Gangetic Dolphin; includes Dibru-Saikhowa NP
Dehong Patkai Arunachal Pradesh No 1988 — Tropical forest; Hoolock Gibbon, Tiger
Agasthyamalai Kerala, Tamil Nadu Yes 2001 2016 Shola grasslands, endemic plants; Kani tribe's Arogyapacha (Jeevani) plant; includes Neyyar, Peppara WLS
Achanakmar-Amarkantak MP, CG Yes 2005 2012 Origin of Son and Narmada rivers; Four-horned Antelope, Indian Wild Dog
Pachmarhi Madhya Pradesh Yes 1999 2009 Satpura landscape; Flying Squirrel, Leopard; Satpura NP and Bori & Pachmarhi WLS
Khangchendzonga Sikkim Yes 2000 2018 Snow Leopard, Red Panda, Himalayan Tahr; Kangchenjunga NP within it; UNESCO WH Site
Seshachalam Hills Andhra Pradesh No 2010 — Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus); Eastern Ghats; unique to this region
Panna Madhya Pradesh No 2011 — Tiger (reintroduced), Ken River; Ken-Betwa Link concerns
Cold Desert Himachal Pradesh Yes 2009 2025 Lahaul-Spiti district; 7,770 sq km; Pin Valley NP, Chandratal, Kibber WLS; Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, Tibetan Wolf; India's 13th UNESCO-recognized BR (Sept 27, 2025, at 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves, Hangzhou)
Shellong (Shillong) Meghalaya No 2020 — Sub-tropical broadleaf; Sacred groves (Law Kyntang)

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