NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Theme : Geography , Environment
Paper : GS - 1, GS - 3
November 3, 2022 is the first International Day for Biosphere Reserves.An event showcasing the contribution of the biosphere reserves to sustainable development will be organized at UNESCO Headquarters in collaboration with all the regions of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
TABLE OF CONTENT :
- Context
- About International Day for Biosphere Reserves
- Criteria for designation of BR
- World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)
- Need for Biosphere Reserves: The Evil Quartet
- Biodiversity hotspots
- Conclusion
Context : November 3, 2022 is the first International Day for Biosphere Reserves.An event showcasing the contribution of the biosphere reserves to sustainable development will be organized at UNESCO Headquarters in collaboration with all the regions of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
About International Day for Biosphere Reserves :
- The purpose of this day is to provide, on an annual basis, a wake-up call on the sustainable development approach to modern life and the leading and exemplary role that the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) can play in this regard.
- It is a welcome opportunity for the countries in the Himalayan region to establish additional BRs.
Criteria for designation of BR :
- A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation.
- The core area should be typical of a bio-geographical unit and large enough to sustain viable populations representing all trophic levels in the ecosystem.
- The management authority to ensure the involvement/cooperation of local communities to bring a variety of knowledge and experiences to link biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development while managing and containing the conflicts.
- Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of the environment.
World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR):
It was formed in 1971, as a backbone for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and living in harmony with nature.
List of Biosphere Reserves in India:
- Similipal Biosphere Reserve
- Nilgiris Elephant Corridor and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Panna Biosphere Reserve
- Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
- Great Nicobar biosphere reserve
- Gulf of Mannar
- Manas biosphere reserve
- Sunderbans biosphere reserve
- Dibru-Saikhowa biosphere reserve
- Dehang-Dibang biosphere reserve
- Pachmarhi biosphere reserve
- Khangchendzonga
- Agasthyamalai
- Achanakmar-Amarkantak
- Kachchh
- Cold Desert
- Seshachalam Hills
- Panna
Need for Biosphere Reserves: The Evil Quartet:
- According to the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services released in 2019 by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the main global drivers of biodiversity loss are climate change, invasive species, over-exploitation of natural resources, pollution and urbanization.
- For example, recent reports show how invasive alien species threatens wildlife habitats of Western GhatsThe dearth of effective steps to arrest the rampant growth of invasive plants, especially Senna Spectabilis, in the forest areas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR), including the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, is a matter of serious concern.
Biodiversity hotspots :
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These are regions with high species richness and a high degree of endemism.
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The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss.
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According to Conservation International (CI), to qualify as a hotspot a region must meet two strict criteria:
- It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world’s total) as endemic – which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.
- It has to have lost at least 70% of its original habitat. (It must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation). In other words, it must be threatened.
Conclusion :
- Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal are on the priority list of UNESCO for its Biosphere Reserve programme.
- The existence of the new World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves provides a welcome opportunity for Bhutan and Nepal to establish their first biosphere reserves and participate in the world network.
- If these pockets of hope can expand, with at least one biosphere reserve per country in Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal until 2025 (with additional biosphere reserves in India’s North-East and along the coasts) it will give realization to millions of people that a better future is truly possible — one where we will truly live in harmony with nature.
FAQs :
1. What are Biodiversity Hotspots ?
Answer : These are regions with high species richness and a high degree of endemism. The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss.
2. When was the first International Day for Biosphere Reserves?
Answer : November 3, 2022 is the first International Day for Biosphere Reserves.