Biosphere Reserves in India – Static GK / General Awareness for Competitive Exams (With Memory Tricks)

Introduction

Biosphere Reserves are special protected areas recognised under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme (1971). They aim to balance biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research.

This topic is frequently asked in SSC CGL/CHSL, UPSC Prelims, IBPS, SBI, Railways, Defence, and State PCS as:

• Direct factual questions
• Match the following
• Statement-based MCQs

What is a Biosphere Reserve?

A Biosphere Reserve is a large ecological area recognised by UNESCO to:

• Conserve plants, animals, and ecosystems
• Promote sustainable livelihood of local communities
• Act as living laboratories for research and education

Functions of Biosphere Reserves (Exam Favourite)

1. Conservation Function

• Protects genetic diversity, species, and ecosystems
• Includes endangered species

2. Development Function

• Encourages eco-friendly economic activities
• Balances human needs and nature

3. Logistic Support Function

• Supports research, monitoring, training
• Helps in climate & ecological studies

👉 Why asked? Frequently appears as “Which is NOT a function of BR?” in SSC & Banking.

Complete List of 18 Biosphere Reserves in India (Updated)

Eastern & North-Eastern India

1. Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve – West Bengal
2. Similipal Biosphere Reserve – Odisha
3. Manas Biosphere Reserve – Assam
4. Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve – Assam
5. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve – Meghalaya
6. Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve – Arunachal Pradesh

Northern & Himalayan Region

7. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve – Uttarakhand
8. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve – Sikkim
9. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve – Himachal Pradesh

Central & Western India

10. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve – Madhya Pradesh
11. Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve – MP & Chhattisgarh
12. Panna Biosphere Reserve – Madhya Pradesh
13. Kachchh Biosphere Reserve – Gujarat

Southern & Coastal India

14. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – TN, Kerala, Karnataka
15. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve – Tamil Nadu
16. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve – Kerala & TN
17. Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve – Andhra Pradesh

Island Region

18. Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve – Andaman & Nicobar

UNESCO-Recognised Biosphere Reserves (13)

The Sticky Memory Zone (Mnemonics)

Mnemonic for Southern BRs:
👉 “N-GAS”

• Nilgiri
• Gulf of Mannar
• Agasthyamalai
• Seshachalam

UNESCO Year Trick (2009 Trio):
👉 “NPS = Nokrek–Pachmarhi–Similipal”

👉  N-N-S-P-G-A-K-C-A-S-P-G-C”
(Nilgiri, Nanda Devi, Sundarbans, Pachmarhi, Gulf of Mannar, Achanakmar, Khangchendzonga, Cold Desert, Agasthyamalai, Similipal, Panna, Great Nicobar, Nokrek) — useful for UPSC/SSC quick revision.

Don’t Confuse These!

• Wildlife Sanctuary ≠ Biosphere Reserve (BR is much larger & zoned)
• National Park ≠ Biosphere Reserve (Human activity allowed in BR buffer zones)
• Saddle Peak ≠ Biosphere Reserve (It is a National Park)
• Cold Desert BR ≠ Ladakh UT (Located in Himachal Pradesh)

Key Exam-Oriented Features

• Total area covered: ~91,425 sq. km
• Funding Pattern: 60:40 (Centre:State), 90:10 for NE & Himalayan states
• Linked with Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Green India Mission

Important One-Liners for SSC / Banking / UPSC Prelims

• Nilgiri is the first Biosphere Reserve in India.
• Gulf of Mannar is the largest and only marine BR.
• Great Nicobar is the only island BR.
• Sundarbans has the largest mangrove ecosystem.
• Cold Desert BR was added in 2025.
• India ranks 9th in forest area globally (FAO).

Previous Year Questions (PYQ) Analysis

• SSC: Match Biosphere Reserve with State
• UPSC Prelims: Statement-based (UNESCO year / location)
• Banking & Railways: One-liners (largest, first, only)

Quick-Summary Table (Revision Snapshot)