


{"id":108889,"date":"2026-06-19T17:35:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=108889"},"modified":"2026-06-19T17:35:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:05:40","slug":"nokrek-biosphere-reserve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/nokrek-biosphere-reserve\/","title":{"rendered":"Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Location, Flora, Fauna, Threats"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a <\/span><b>protected natural area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> known for its <\/span><b>rich biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>scenic landscapes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It represents an important effort to <\/span><b>conserve forests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>wildlife<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>natural ecosystems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while maintaining a balance between <\/span><b>human activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>nature<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Located in the <\/span><b>northeastern part of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it highlights the importance of <\/span><b>ecological conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>sustainable development<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Location and Physical Features<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is situated in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/garo-hills\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Garo Hills<\/b><\/a><b> region of Meghalaya<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, forming a part of the <\/span><b>Tura Range of the Meghalaya Plateau<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is known for its rugged terrain and rich natural beauty. It lies in the <\/span><b>north-eastern part of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it an important ecological zone of the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The area is largely <\/span><b>mountainous<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with an average elevation of about <\/span><b>600 metres<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while <\/span><b>Nokrek Peak (1,412 metres)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stands as the <\/span><b>highest point in the Garo Hills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, offering significant geographical importance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The terrain shows clear diversity, with <\/span><b>gently undulating hills in the north<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>steep slopes and dense forests in the south<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, creating varied habitats for different species.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reserve is also part of an important <\/span><b>river catchment system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with rivers like <\/span><b>Simsang (longest), Ganol, and Dareng<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> originating here and supporting both ecosystems and nearby settlements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These rivers ultimately connect to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/brahmaputra-river-system\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Brahmaputra<\/b><\/a><b> basin<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, highlighting the reserve\u2019s role in <\/span><b>regional water security and hydrological balance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Also Read : <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/national-parks-in-meghalaya\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>National Parks in Meghalaya<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Climate<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biosphere reserve experiences a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/tropical-climate\/\" target=\"_blank\"> <b>tropical monsoon climate<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, characterized by <\/span><b>high humidity, heavy rainfall, and consistently warm temperatures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which together create ideal conditions for dense vegetation growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The monsoon season lasts from <\/span><b>April to October<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, bringing abundant rainfall that sustains rivers, forests, and wildlife throughout the year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Due to these favorable conditions, nearly <\/span><b>90% of the area is covered with thick <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/tropical-evergreen-forests\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>tropical evergreen forests<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with <\/span><b>semi-evergreen and moist deciduous patches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At lower altitudes, <\/span><b>bamboo forests and grasslands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are also found, adding to habitat diversity and supporting different ecological niches.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The climate also supports the growth of <\/span><b>rare and endemic plant species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making the region ecologically sensitive and valuable.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Flora<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is a <\/span><b>rich repository of plant biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially known for its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/endemic-species\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>endemic species<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and diverse forest types.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A key highlight is the presence of <\/span><b>Indian wild orange (Citrus indica)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, considered one of the <\/span><b>most primitive citrus species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making the area important for genetic and agricultural research.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The forests include tree species such as <\/span><b>Bombax ceiba (cotton tree), Sterculia villosa, Cassia fistula (golden shower tree)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with <\/span><b>wild bananas, orchids, and medicinal plants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The presence of <\/span><b>bamboo groves and subtropical vegetation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> further enriches the plant diversity and supports local livelihoods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of these plants have <\/span><b>economic, medicinal, and ecological value<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, contributing to both conservation and sustainable use.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Fauna\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reserve is home to a <\/span><b>wide range of wildlife species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including several that are <\/span><b>endangered, rare, or endemic to the region<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important species include the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/hollongapar-gibbon-sanctuary\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>hoolock gibbon<\/b><\/a><b> (India\u2019s only ape), slow loris, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/indian-giant-flying-squirrel\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>giant flying squirrel<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, all of which are ecologically significant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Larger mammals like <\/span><b>Asian elephants, tigers, and leopards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are also found, indicating the richness of the habitat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region supports a <\/span><b>large variety of bird species (over 200)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><b>hornbills, pheasants, and migratory birds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a hotspot for birdwatching.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The diversity of fauna reflects the <\/span><b>healthy ecosystem and balanced food chains<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within the biosphere reserve.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Ecological Importance and Conservation<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nokrek Biosphere Reserve was recognized as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/united-nations-educational-scientific-and-cultural-organization-unesco\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>UNESCO<\/b><\/a><b> Biosphere Reserve in 2009<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, highlighting its <\/span><b>global ecological significance and conservation value<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It acts as a <\/span><b>biodiversity hotspot<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, preserving a wide range of plant and animal species, many of which are not found elsewhere.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reserve plays a crucial role in <\/span><b>maintaining <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/ecological-balance\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>ecological balance<\/b><\/a><b>, conserving genetic diversity, and protecting endangered species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also supports <\/span><b>water conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as its forests help regulate river flow and prevent soil erosion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The inclusion of <\/span><b>Nokrek National Park<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a core zone ensures stricter protection and scientific management of natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Socio-Economic Features<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The local population, mainly tribal communities, depends on <\/span><b>forest-based resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like timber, honey, wax, and medicinal plants for their daily needs and income.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Shifting cultivation (jhum farming)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the primary agricultural practice, covering a significant portion of land, though it can lead to <\/span><b>deforestation and soil degradation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if not managed properly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Main crops grown in the region include <\/span><b>rice, bananas, cashew nuts, and tea<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which also serve as important commercial products.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To improve livelihoods, authorities are promoting <\/span><b>alternative economic activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as <\/span><b>beekeeping, horticulture, and sustainable agriculture practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Development initiatives also aim to balance <\/span><b>economic growth with environmental conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring long-term sustainability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Cultural Significance and Indigenous Communities<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The biosphere reserve is home to the <\/span><b>Garo tribe (Achik Mande)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whose name means \u201cpeople of the hills,\u201d reflecting their deep connection with the landscape.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Garo people have <\/span><b>traditional knowledge systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that promote sustainable use of natural resources and conservation of forests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nokrek Peak is considered sacred<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, believed to be the dwelling place of their deity, which adds spiritual importance to the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultural practices, rituals, and festivals often revolve around <\/span><b>nature worship, agriculture, and forest conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This close relationship between <\/span><b>culture and environment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps in preserving biodiversity through community participation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Tourism and Sustainable Practices<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is an emerging destination for <\/span><b>ecotourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, offering activities like <\/span><b>trekking, wildlife safaris, birdwatching, and nature exploration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tourists can experience <\/span><b>lush green forests, scenic hills, and rich biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a unique destination in Northeast India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region also provides opportunities to understand the <\/span><b>culture and traditions of the Garo community<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including their lifestyle and handicrafts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efforts are being made to promote <\/span><b>responsible tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, where visitors are encouraged to minimize environmental impact and respect wildlife habitats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sustainable tourism initiatives also help in <\/span><b>generating income for local communities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while ensuring the protection of natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Key Threats to Nokrek Biosphere Reserve<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/shifting-cultivation\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Shifting Cultivation<\/b><\/a><b> (Jhum Farming):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Jhum cultivation is widely practiced in the region and often involves clearing forest patches for agriculture. Due to increasing population pressure, the <\/span><b>fallow cycle has reduced to about 3-5 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is insufficient for forest regeneration, leading to <\/span><b>soil erosion, nutrient loss, and long-term degradation of land<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/deforestation\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Deforestation<\/b><\/a><b> &amp; Forest Degradation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Despite high forest cover in Meghalaya, a significant portion has degraded into secondary forests. Continuous extraction of <\/span><b>fuelwood, timber, and other forest products<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> weakens forest density and reduces the ability of ecosystems to support diverse wildlife.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Over-exploitation of Forest Resources:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Local communities depend heavily on forests for <\/span><b>livelihood, food, and energy needs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This results in excessive collection of <\/span><b>non-timber forest products (NTFPs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and fuelwood, putting sustained pressure on the reserve\u2019s natural resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Habitat Fragmentation &amp; <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Biodiversity<\/b><\/a><b> Loss:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expansion of agriculture, settlements, and infrastructure leads to <\/span><b>fragmentation of forest habitats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, isolating wildlife populations. This is particularly dangerous for <\/span><b>endemic and endangered species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as it disrupts breeding patterns and reduces genetic diversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Human-Wildlife Conflict:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Increasing encroachment into forest areas has intensified conflicts, especially involving <\/span><b>elephants and other large mammals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Crop damage and threats to human life often lead to <\/span><b>retaliatory actions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, negatively impacting conservation efforts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/climate-change\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Climate Change<\/b><\/a><b> &amp; Environmental Stress:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The region is experiencing <\/span><b>erratic rainfall patterns and rising temperatures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which affect forest composition, water availability, and species distribution. Such changes make the ecosystem more vulnerable and disturb its natural balance over time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Conservation Efforts in Nokrek Biosphere Reserve<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>UNESCO Recognition &amp; Scientific Management (2009):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Inclusion under the <\/span><b>UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> promotes a balance between conservation and development, encouraging <\/span><b>research, monitoring, and sustainable resource use<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Zonation Approach (Core-Buffer-Transition):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The reserve follows a structured model with a <\/span><b>core area (~47 sq km)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under strict protection, while buffer and transition zones allow <\/span><b>regulated activities like eco-friendly farming and limited resource use<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring sustainability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Community Participation &amp; Sustainable Livelihoods:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Local communities (especially the <\/span><b>Garo tribe<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) are involved in conservation through <\/span><b>community forest management, agroforestry, and reduced dependence on jhum cultivation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, promoting long-term ecological balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/sustainable-agriculture\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Sustainable Agriculture<\/b><\/a><b> Practices:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Efforts are being made to replace shifting cultivation with <\/span><b>terrace farming, organic agriculture, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/crop-diversification\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>crop diversification<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which help in <\/span><b>reducing soil erosion and improving land productivity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Biodiversity Conservation &amp; Gene Sanctuary:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The <\/span><b>Citrus Gene Sanctuary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> protects rare species like <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citrus indica<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while conservation programs focus on safeguarding <\/span><b>endemic fauna<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring <\/span><b>genetic diversity and ecosystem stability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eco-tourism &amp; Resource Regulation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Promotion of <\/span><b>controlled eco-tourism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, use of <\/span><b>plastic-free zones<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and restrictions on mining and deforestation encourage <\/span><b>responsible tourism and sustainable use of natural resources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nokrek Biosphere Reserve in Meghalaya is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for Citrus indica, rich biodiversity, unique wildlife, Garo Hills ecosystems, and conservation efforts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":108921,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4993,5106,8215],"class_list":{"0":"post-108889","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-environment","9":"tag-environment-notes","10":"tag-nokrek-biosphere-reserve","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108889"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108889\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108923,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108889\/revisions\/108923"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}