Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve – UNESCO Recognition

Biosphere Reserve Latest News

• The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, making it India’s 13th site on the global list.

Introduction

• In a significant recognition of India’s conservation efforts, UNESCO has designated the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh as part of its prestigious World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). 
• This inclusion marks a global acknowledgement of the ecological, cultural, and scientific importance of the fragile Trans-Himalayan ecosystem. 
• With this addition, India now has 13 biosphere reserves listed under UNESCO, highlighting the country’s commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

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About the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve

• The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve spans 7,770 sq. km. across Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district. 
• 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 covers landscapes such as windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high-altitude deserts.
• The reserve integrates the Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and the Sarchu plains, making it a hub of biodiversity and cultural heritage. 
• 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.

Biodiversity and Cultural Richness

• The Cold Desert is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. 
• It harbours 732 vascular plant species, including 30 endemics and 47 medicinal herbs crucial to the traditional Sowa Rigpa (Amchi) healing system. 
• Among its iconic fauna are the snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, Himalayan wolf, and several bird species like the golden eagle and Himalayan snowcock.
• Around 12,000 residents inhabit scattered villages across the reserve. 
• They continue to practice traditional pastoralism, yak and goat herding, and small-scale farming of barley and peas. 
• The communities also maintain ancient Tibetan herbal medicine traditions, often guided by Buddhist monasteries and local councils that regulate the use of alpine resources.

Global and National Significance

• The UNESCO designation underscores the urgent need to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems, which face mounting challenges from climate change and unchecked tourism. 
• It also elevates Himachal’s cold desert to global prominence, ensuring international cooperation in conservation, eco-tourism, and climate research.
• The recognition came during the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) in Paris. 
• Globally, UNESCO has added 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries this year, the highest number in two decades, expanding WNBR to 785 sites in 142 countries.

India’s Growing Biosphere Network

• With the addition of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, India’s tally of UNESCO-recognised biospheres has reached 13. 
• This reflects the country’s broader strategy to align conservation with sustainable community development. 
• India’s biospheres now include diverse ecosystems, from the Nilgiri and Sundarbans to the Great Nicobar and Pachmarhi.
• Union Environment Ministry noted that this achievement follows the inclusion of two new Ramsar sites in India, bringing the country’s total wetlands of international importance to 93. 
• The move reflects India’s consistent push to integrate ecological preservation with international frameworks.

Future Outlook

• The UNESCO recognition is expected to encourage greater research collaborations, promote responsible tourism, and improve climate resilience strategies in high-altitude ecosystems. 
• It also calls attention to India’s role in safeguarding fragile mountain landscapes that are both biodiversity hotspots and cultural treasures.
• The designation strengthens the global narrative of balancing conservation with community livelihoods, offering India an opportunity to showcase its traditional knowledge systems, pastoral practices, and eco-cultural heritage.

Source : TH | IE