Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve
- February 11, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve
Subject: Environment
Context: Focus back on Himalayan ecosystem where a hydel project behind Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand) was washed away on Rishi Ganga river.
Concept:
- It is India’s most pristine high-altitude landscapes and a UNESCO world heritage site.
- The core areas the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, which are one World Heritage site.
- Nanda Devi National Park has remained more or less intact because of its inaccessibility.
- The Valley of Flowers National Park is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. Together they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya.
- There is total 18 Biosphere reserves in India.
- There is total 11 biosphere reserves of India which have been recognized internationally under Man and Biosphere Reserve program:
- Nilgiri
- Gulf of Mannar
- Sunderban
- Nanda Devi
- Nokrek
- Pachmarhi
- Similipal
- Achanakmar – Amarkantak
- Great Nicobar
- Agasthyamala
- Khangchendzonga (Added in 2018)
About Biosphere Reserve:
- Biosphere Reserve (BR) is a designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination of both.
- Biosphere Reserves tries to balance economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.
- It has three-part structure:
- Core areas: It is most protected area of a biosphere reserve and free from human interference. It may contain endemic plants and animals.
- Buffer Zone: It is around the core areas and help in the protection of core areas. Some activities like restoration, limited tourism, fishing, grazing, research and educational activities etc. are allowed.
- Transition zone: It is the zone of cooperation where human activities and conservation are done in harmony (Ex- settlements, croplands, managed forests and areas for intensive recreation and other economic uses etc. are done)