Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination of both.
Biosphere Reserves tries to balance economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.
Biosphere Reserves are thus special environments for both people and nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each others’ needs.
Criteria for Designation of Biosphere Reserve ?
A site must contain a protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation.
Core area must be a bio-geographical unit and should be large enough to sustain a viable populations representing all trophic levels.
The involvement of local communities and use of their knowledge in biodiversity preservation.
Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of the environment.
