Which of the following is NOT among the list of Indian biosphere reserves designated as a 'UNESCO World Network Site' in 2024?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer – Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve.
Explanation:
- UNESCO World Network (WNBR): India has a total of 18 Biosphere Reserves, of which only 12 have been included in the World Network under UNESCO's 'Man and the Biosphere' (MAB) Programme.
- Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam): While this is indeed a Biosphere Reserve in India, it has not yet been included in UNESCO's World Network (World Network of Biosphere Reserves) list.
- Included Sites: The Nilgiris (the first), Panna (the newest—included in 2020), and Great Nicobar—all of these are part of this prestigious UNESCO list.
The 12 Indian Biosphere Reserves included in the UNESCO (WNBR) list:
- The Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka)
- Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu)
- Sundarbans (West Bengal)
- Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand)
- Nokrek (Meghalaya)
- Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)
- Similipal (Odisha)
- Achanakmar-Amarkantak (Chhattisgarh/Madhya Pradesh)
- Great Nicobar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
- Agasthyamala (Kerala/Tamil Nadu)
- Khangchendzonga (Sikkim)
- Panna (Madhya Pradesh) – The latest addition, included in the year 2020.
Important Questions for Upcoming Examinations:
- Question: Which was India's first Biosphere Reserve?
- Answer: The Nilgiris (1986).
- Question: Which is India's largest Biosphere Reserve in terms of area?
- Answer: Rann of Kutch (Gujarat).
- Question: In which state is the 'Dibru-Saikhowa' Biosphere Reserve located?
- Answer: Assam.