Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over a large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems. The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves in India. Ten of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list. There are over 500 biosphere reserves in over 100 countries around the world.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest provides financial assistance to State governments for the conservation of landscape, diversity and cultural heritage. Ministry also provides support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange of the respective biosphere reserve.
| # | Biosphere Reserve | Established | State | Key Fauna | Key Flora |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (First Biosphere Reserve in India) | 1986 | Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka | Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur | Vanda, Liparis, Medusa’s head orchid, Spiranthes, Chi-tou wind orchid |
| 2 | Nanda Devi National Park & Biosphere Reserve | 1988 | Uttarakhand | Himalyan Tahr, Koklas pheaant, Brown Bear | Silver weed, Fairy Primrose, Salep orchid |
| 3 | Gulf of Mannar | 1989 | Tamil Nadu | Dugong Dugong (Sea Cow), Sea Fan | Morning glory, Halophila grass |
| 4 | Nokrek | 1988 | Meghalaya | Pig tailed macaque, Giant Flying squirrel, Stump tailed macaque | Grand rasamala, Hairy Sterculia, Wild lemon, Chempaka, White meranti |
| 5 | Sundarbans (largest contiguous mangrove area in the world and only mangrove area having Tigers) | 1989 | West Bengal | Bengal Tiger, Salvator lizard, Bengal monitor lizard | Sundari, Nypa, Passur, Tagal mangrove, Sandy mangrove, crabapple mangrove |
| 6 | Manas | 1989 | Assam | Pygmy hog, Hispid hare, Golden langur | Catechu tree, Sissoo, white siris |
| 7 | Simlipal | 1994 | Odisha | Red breasted Falconet, Ruddy mangoose | Colix grass, Sal tree, Myrobalan, Sisso, Champak |
| 8 | Dihang-Dibang | 1998 | Arunachal Pradesh | Red panda, green pit viper, Takin | Tree fern, Begonia |
| 9 | Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve | 1999 | Madhya Pradesh | Barasinga, Wild Buffalo, Red jungle fowl | Sal tree, Selaginella fern, Palimorpha bamboo |
| 10 | Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve | 2005 | Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh | Fourhorn Antelope, Saras crane, Sacred grove bush Frog, Whitebacked Vulture, Indian wild dog | |
| 11 | Great Rann of Kutch | 2008 | Gujarat | Indian Wild Ass | |
| 12 | Cold Desert | 2009 | Himachal Pradesh | Snow Leopard | |
| 13 | Khangchendzonga | 2010 | Sikkim | Snow Leopard, Red Panda | |
| 14 | Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve | 2001 | Kerala, Tamil Nadu | Lion tailed macaque, slender loris, Great pied hornbill | Rudraksha tree, Gaub tree, Wild dhaman, black plums |
| 15 | Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve | 1989 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Serpent Eagle, Crab eating Macaque, saltwater Crocodile | Screw pine, Nipa Palm, Ceylon iron wood |
| 16 | Dibru-Saikhowa | 1997 | Assam | Golden Langur, Hollock gibbon | Rauvolfia, Benteak, Livistona orchid |
| 17 | Seshachalam Hills | 2010 | Andhra Pradesh | Slender Loris | Red Sanders |
| 18 | Panna | 2011 | Madhya Pradesh | tiger, chital, chinkara, sambhar and sloth bear | – |