Nicobar Islands declared as world biosphere reserve

LONDON: The Unesco has designated India’s Nicobar Islands as a world biosphere reserve under its Man and the Biosphere Programme.


Member countries establish such reserves and the world body recognizes them under the programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. They are considered as sites of excellence, where new and optimal practices to manage nature and human activities are tested and demonstrated.

The island chain, home to 1,800 animal species and some of the world’s most endangered tribes, was among 12 new sites added to the global network of biosphere reserves in Paris on Thursday.

Such reserves are located in 117 countries and nine of them are now located in India.

Other sites added to the list include Pakistan’s Ziarat Juniper forest and China’s Snake Island.