India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve designated by UNESCO
India’s cold desert biosphere reserve, which is perched in the Trans-Himalaya region, is among the 26 new biosphere reserves in several countries designated by UNESCO on Saturday, September 27th.
With this add, India’s 13 biospheres are currently listed in the UNESCO’s World Biosphere Reserves Network (WNBR).
North India’s cold desert biosphere reserve covers approximately 7,770 km2. According to UNESCO, against the landscapes of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti region.
The windy plateau is one of the coldest and most dry ecosystems in Wnbr, including glacial valleys, Alp lakes and solid high altitude deserts.
“UNESCO determines 26 new biosphere reserves in 21 countries – the highest number in 20 years. The World Biosphere Reserves network contains 785 sites in 142 countries, and since 2018, natural areas of one million km2 – equivalent to the size of Bolivia,” he said.
India’s decision to include the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in WNBr, UNESCO’s International Coordination Council and Biosphere (MAB) in Paris on Saturday, said in a post of Bhupender Yadav X.
“There are 13 biospheres listed in India’s India’s UNESCO’s UNESCO World Biospheric Reserve Network and reflects India’s commitment to the protection of biological diversity and the sustainable development under the leadership of society,” he said.
He added that India has continued to make special efforts to protect, protect and restore the ecosystem under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The development comes shortly after the two Ramsar sites in India have been added to the UNESCO list, the total number of RAMSAR sites is increased to 93. Ramsar sites refers to those listed in the international wetlands list.
UNESCO recognition of the cold desert biosphere is likely to promote tourism and research in the region.
While UNESCO welcomes the first biosphere reserves this year, Sao Tome and Principe become the first state to set its entire region as a biosphere reserve.
Six countries saw that their first biosphere reserves were determined on Saturday: Angola, Djibouti, Ecuador Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan.
In addition to these six people, new reserves were appointed in Albania, China, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mongolia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.
UNESCO-GENEL Manager Audrey Azoulay said, “This year, about thirty new appointments, our world biosphere reserves network reached a large milestone.
“UNESCO will continue to mobilize states, scientists, civil society, local and local communities to continue this positive momentum,” he said.
This week, UNESCO has gathered more than 2,000 international experts, public decision -makers, civil society, domestic representatives and young people for the 5th World Biosphere Reserves Congress, and has drawn the course of this historical UNESCO program for the next decade.
During the Congress, Mrs. Azoulay invited each member state to establish at least one biosphere reserve until 2035.
Biosphere reserves protect some of the planet’s richest and most fragile ecosystems.
According to UNESCO, the cold desert biosphere reserve contains 732 vascular plant species, including 157 close endem of 30 endemic and Indian Humalayla.
Pin Valley National Park and Kibber and Chandratal wild life, including the sacred areas of this reserve altitude ranged between 3,300 to 6,600 m, he said.
This fragile cold desert ecosystem supports hardy alpine herbs, medical herbs and willow leafy sea-cova, Himalaya Birch and Persian Juniper’s rare stands.
Iconic fauna, snow leopard, Himalaya IBEX, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Wolf and Himalayan Snow Paper and Golden Eagle includes rich bird life.
The population of approximately 12,000 lives in scattered villages, traditional pastoralism, herd of yak and goat, barley and pea farming and tibetan herbal remedies, Buddhist monastery traditions and information maintained through community councils regulating the use of fragile alpine resources.
UNESCO emphasizes India’s first high altitude cold desert biosphere reserve, emphasizing the need for protecting mountain ecosystems that face tourism pressure and climate change.
