Overview

• With the designation, India now has 13 sites in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
• UNESCO named 26 new reserves across 21 countries, bringing the network to 785 sites in 142 countries.
• The decision was taken at the 37th session of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere council in Paris during the World Congress week.
• The reserve spans elevations of about 3,300–6,600 metres and includes Pin Valley National Park plus Kibber and Chandratal wildlife sanctuaries.
• UNESCO cites rich biodiversity and traditional livelihoods for roughly 12,000 residents, and signals opportunities for research and tourism alongside pressures from visitor impacts and climate change.