6. Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve

The significant biosphere reserve which is shared by two states- Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh covering a total area of 383,551 hectares (3835.51 km2). It preserves the natures best Flora and Fauna and source of the three major river systems The Narmada, Johilla and The Son River.

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The reserve is located in the northern part of Bio-Geographic zone 6 and Bio-Geographic province 6 A (Deccan peninsula and Central Highlands). About 68.1% of this reserve lies in the Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. The other major portions of the reserve are in the Anuppur (16.20%) and Dindori (15.70%) districts of Madhya Pradesh. The protected area of the Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bilaspur district within the Biosphere Reserve.

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Location: Chhattisgarh and Madha Pradesh

Area: 383,550 hectares

Fauna: Tigers, Panthers, Bears, Chital Deer, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Foxes, Wild Boar, Jackals, and Bison can be found in the biosphere. The area is also famous for hosting different species of frogs including Cricket Frog, Burrowing Frog, Tree Frog, Ornate Narrow Mouthed Frog, Toad and Bullfrog

Flora: Pine, Juniper, Cedar, and Cypress can be found here. Some of the species of Pine and Cedar are endemic to the reserve.

Must Visit: Ancient Temple of Kalachuri, The Dudh Dhara Falls, Narmada Udgam Temple

Best Time To Visit: November To June

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7. Gulf Of Mannar

The large shallow gulf formed into the Laccadive Sea, the Indian Ocean that lies in the southeastern part of India and west coast of Sri Lanka Is known as Gulf of Mannar. Located on the southeastern tip of the subcontinent, the Gulf of Mannar is known to harbor over 3,600 species of flora and fauna, making it one of the richest coastal regions in Asia. 117 hard coral species have been recorded in the Gulf of Mannar. Sea turtles are frequent visitors to the gulf as are sharks, dugongs, and dolphins. However, the combined effects of 47 villages, with a total population of around 50,000 has meant that overharvesting of marine species has become a problem.

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The beauty lies in the pearl bank of Mannar which is the foremost source of income for people for more than 2,000 years. In 1986, a group of 21 islets lying off the Tamil Nadu coast between Thoothukudi and Dhanushkodi was declared the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. The park and its 10 km buffer zone were declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1989.

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Location: Between India and Sri Lanka, forming part of the Laccadive Sea

Area: 32,400 square kilometer

Fauna: Sea turtles, Sharks, Dugongs, Dolphins, Whales. Pearl Oysters, Gorgorian Corals are also frequent in the reserve

Flora: Sea Grass, Sea Weed, Sea Cucumber.

Must Visit: Dhanushkodi, Mannar Island

Best Time To Visit: October To March

8. AgasthyaMalai Biosphere Reserve

India's Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is a unique site that is located in the Western Ghats in the Southern part of India. The Biosphere Reserve has exorbitant peaks that reach up to 1,868 meters above the sea level and consists mostly of tropical forests that are home to about 2,254 species of plants (out of which 400 are endemic).

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The Biosphere Reserve acts as a unique genetic reservoir for cultivated plants, like- Cardamom, Jamune, Nutmeg, Pepper and Plantain. The Agasthyamalai Biosphere also holds some major wildlife sanctuaries, namely- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The Biosphere reserve is also inhabited by many tribal settlements, amounting up to a total population of 3,000. These communities rely majorly on the biological resources for their survival.

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Location: Western Ghats in the Southern part of India

Area: 3,500 square kilometer

Fauna: This Biosphere Reserve hosts about 79 species of mammals (out of which 20 species are endemic), 88 species of reptiles (out of which 45 species are endemic), 45 species of amphibians (out of which 30 species are endemic), 46 species of fishes (out of which 10 species are endemic) and 337 species of birds (out of which 20 species are endemic). Some of the rare animals found here are Tiger, Ancient Elephant, and Nilgiri Tahr.

Flora: Apart from inhibiting 2,000 varieties of medicinal plants and about 50 rare and endangered species, Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve includes the Indian Ecoregions of South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Western Ghats montane rain forests and Shola. It is home to about 400 Red Listed Plants and over 125 species of orchids and rare, endemic and threatened plant species. Almost one-fourth of India's total plant species are found here. Arogyapacha, one such famous and rare medicinal plant is found here.

Must Visit: Museum, The Temple of AgasthyaMalai

Best Time To Visit: November To March

9. Nokrek National Park

Nokrek National Park is located in the North-Eastern Belt of Meghalaya. This reserve is the shelter of many Asian Elephants and a multitude number of tigers. In addition to its wildlife reserve, this biosphere is also the spotlight of the Red Panda’s which are often seen here. Surprisingly the national park has actually preserved the existence of Red Panda.

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Nokrek National Park, the core area of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, is a national park located approximately 2 km from Tura Peak in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, India. UNESCO added this National park to its list of Biosphere Reserves in May 2009. Along with Balphakram national park, Nokrek is a hotspot of biodiversity in Meghalaya.

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Location: West Garo Hills, Meghalaya

Area: 47.5 square Kilometer

Fauna: A large population of Red Panda can be found in the reserve. Other mammals include Hoolocks, Stump-tailed Macaque, Flying Squirrel, Leopard, and Pig-tailed Macaque

Flora: Grand rasamala, White Meranti, Lali, Chempaka, Wild lemon are some of the endemic plants. The reserve is mainly famous for its wide vegetation of citrus plants such as lemons, oranges, and lime.

Must Visit: Rongband Dare Waterfalls, The Balpakram National Park

Best Time To Visit: October To May

10. Sunderbans

The last but not the least! Sunderbans - one of the famous biosphere reserve in India. It captures around 10,000 square kilometers and is the largest reserve for Bengal Tiger. Due to its unique ecological and biological conditions, many rare and exclusive species of plants and animals have been preserved here.

The Sundarban forest lies in the vast delta on the Bay of Bengal formed by the super confluence of the Ganges, Hooghly, Padma, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers across southern Bangladesh. The seasonally flooded Sundarbans freshwater swamp forests lie inland from the mangrove forests on the coastal fringe. The forest covers 10,000 km2 (3,900 sq mi) of which about 6,000 km2 (2,300 sq mi) are in Bangladesh. It became inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. The Indian part of Sundarbans is estimated to be about 4,110 km2 (1,590 sq mi), of which about 1,700 km2 (660 sq mi) is occupied by waterbodies in the forms of the river, canals and creeks of width varying from a few meters to several kilometers.

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Location: Estuaries of River Ganges and River Brahmaputra. The reserve is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, as it is the largest mangrove forest area in the world

Area: 139,500 hectares

Fauna: The reserve is famous as the breeding ground of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Spotted deer, Rhesus Macaque, Salt Water Crocodile, and Giant Adjutant Storks are some other attractions

Flora: World's largest mangrove forest hosts several endemic species of plants such as Garjan, Gewa, Goran, Keora and Sundari trees. The name Sundarbans refers to the abundance of Sundari trees in the area.

Must Visit: Main Temple of Bonbibi

Best Time To Visit: September To March

FAQ's

Q- How many Biosphere Reserves are there in India?
A- 18 Biosphere Reserves are there in India.

Q-Why has UNESCO created Biosphere reserve?
A-For the protected of wildlife and the Interest of Tribal Communities.

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