🌿 Biosphere Reserves of India

1 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve 1986

Location: Tamil Nadu (2,537 km²), Kerala (1,455 km²), Karnataka (1,527 km²), India

Year of Designation: 1986

Area: 5,520 km²

First biosphere reserve in India. Part of the Western Ghats, known for its rich biodiversity and tribal communities. Home to endangered species like the Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque.

2 Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve 1988

Location: Uttarakhand, India

Year of Designation: 1988

Area: 5,860 km²

Named after Nanda Devi, India's second highest mountain. Features unique alpine flora and fauna. The Nanda Devi Peak is considered sacred by local communities.

3 Nokrek Biosphere Reserve 1988

Location: Meghalaya, India

Year of Designation: 1988

Area: 820 km²

Located in the Garo Hills, known for its rich biodiversity and citrus plantations. Home to the endangered red panda and Asian elephant. A UNESCO biosphere reserve.

4 Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve 1989

Location: Tamil Nadu, India

Year of Designation: 1989

Area: 10,500 km²

Marine biosphere reserve with diverse coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Supports over 3,600 species of flora and fauna, including endangered sea turtles and dugongs.

5 Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve 1989

Location: West Bengal, India

Year of Designation: 1989

Area: 9,630 km²

Largest mangrove forest in the world, home to the Royal Bengal tiger. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Features unique tidal waterways and rich biodiversity.

6 Manas Biosphere Reserve 1989

Location: Assam, India

Year of Designation: 1989

Area: 2,837 km²

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Project Tiger reserve. Features diverse ecosystems from grasslands to dense forests. Home to rare species like the golden langur and pygmy hog.

7 Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve 1989

Location: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Year of Designation: 1989

Area: 885 km²

Features tropical evergreen forests and coral reefs. Home to the endangered Nicobar pigeon and giant leatherback turtle. Known for its pristine beaches and wildlife.

8 Simlipal Biosphere Reserve 1994

Location: Odisha, India

Year of Designation: 1994

Area: 4,374 km²

Part of the Mahananda wildlife division, known for its sal forests and wildlife. Home to elephants, tigers, and leopards. Features beautiful waterfalls and tribal villages.

9 Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve 1997

Location: Assam, India

Year of Designation: 1997

Area: 765 km²

River island biosphere reserve with semi-evergreen forests. Known for feral horses and the endangered white-winged duck. A paradise for bird watchers with over 400 species.

10 Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve 1998

Location: Arunachal Pradesh, India

Year of Designation: 1998

Area: 5,112 km²

Located in the Himalayas, one of the largest biosphere reserves in India. Features diverse ecosystems from subtropical forests to alpine meadows. Home to rare medicinal plants and indigenous tribal communities.

11 Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve 1999

Location: Madhya Pradesh, India

Year of Designation: 1999

Area: 4,982 km²

Known as the "Queen of Satpura," featuring unique sandstone formations and waterfalls. Home to endangered species like the giant squirrel and white-backed vulture. Rich in Buddhist heritage and cave paintings.

12 Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve 2000

Location: Sikkim, India

Year of Designation: 2000

Area: 2,620 km²

Named after India's highest mountain, Kangchenjunga (8,586m). A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Features glaciers, alpine meadows, and tropical forests. Home to the endangered snow leopard and red panda.

13 Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve 2001

Location: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, India

Year of Designation: 2001

Area: 3,500 km²

Part of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot. Known for its unique montane rainforests and endemic species. Home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque and Malabar grey hornbill.

14 Achanakmar-Amarkantak BR 2005

Location: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, India

Year of Designation: 2005

Area: 3,835 km²

Known as the "Green Forest of India." The meeting point of Vindhya and Satpura ranges. Source of rivers Narmada and Son. Home to wild tigers, leopards, and rare medicinal plants.

15 Great Rann of Kutch BR 2008

Location: Gujarat, India

Year of Designation: 2008

Area: 12,454 km²

The largest salt desert in the world. Features unique salt marsh ecosystems and seasonal wetlands. Famous for the Rann Utsav festival. Home to flamingos, wild ass, and desert foxes.

16 Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve 2009

Location: Himachal Pradesh, India

Year of Designation: 2009

Area: 7,770 km²

Located in the Trans-Himalayan region. Features cold desert ecosystems with unique flora adapted to extreme conditions. Home to Tibetan gazelle, snow leopard, and Himalayan brown bear.

17 Seshachalam Hills BR 2010

Location: Andhra Pradesh, India

Year of Designation: 2010

Area: 4,755 km²

Part of the Eastern Ghats, known for its rich biodiversity and red sandstones. Home to the critically endangered Indian star tortoise and endemic bird species. Features ancient temples and spiritual significance.

18 Panna Biosphere Reserve 2011

Location: Madhya Pradesh, India

Year of Designation: 2011

Area: 543 km²

Known for its successful tiger conservation efforts. Features dry deciduous forests and deep ravines. Home to tigers, leopards, and over 200 species of birds. Famous for Pandav Falls and Ken River.