Biosphere Reserves of India & UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) GK Questions & Answers
Biosphere Reserves represent representative ecosystems of terrestrial and coastal environments recognized internationally under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, launched in 1971. In India, the Biosphere Reserve scheme was initiated in 1986 to conserve biodiversity, foster sustainable economic development, and provide logistical support for environmental research and education. India has designated 18 Biosphere Reserves under national guidelines. Each reserve is structurally organized into three integrated zones: a legally protected Core Zone dedicated strictly to non-destructive conservation and ecological monitoring; a Buffer Zone surrounding the core where managed research, environmental education, and low-impact tourism are permitted; and an outer Transition Zone (Area of Cooperation) where local communities engage in sustainable resource exploitation and agriculture. As of recent assessments, 12 of India's 18 Biosphere Reserves have been incorporated into the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was India's first designated site in 1986, while the Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, and Pachmarhi represent major terrestrial and marine biodiversity strongholds.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
UNESCO launched the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 1971 to promote a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.
India has designated 18 national Biosphere Reserves, of which 12 are formally recognized under the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (established in 1986 across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka) was the first biosphere reserve created in India.
Tripartite zoning structure comprises the strictly protected Core Area, the managed Buffer Zone, and the multi-use outer Transition Zone.
Gulf of Mannar (marine), Sundarbans (mangrove), Nanda Devi (Himalayan), and Great Nicobar represent diverse biomes included in the WNBR.
Showing 25 Curated Questions323 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-WILD-00044
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which was the first Biosphere Reserve established in India in 1986 under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme?
Verified Explanation
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in September 1986 as India's first biosphere reserve, spanning parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
2ID: GK-WILD-00047
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India's first marine biosphere reserve, is located off the southeastern coast of which state?
Verified Explanation
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve extends from Rameswaram to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu, conserving 21 islands with rich coral reefs and sea cow (Dugong) habitats.
3ID: GK-WILD-00050
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the largest Biosphere Reserve in India by total geographical area (~12,454 sq km), known for protecting the Indian Wild Ass?
Verified Explanation
The Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve in Gujarat covers 12,454 sq km, making it India's largest biosphere reserve, home to the Indian Wild Ass (Khur) and vast salt deserts.
4ID: GK-WILD-00054
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, located in the Satpura Range, is situated in which state?
Verified Explanation
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve was designated by the Government of India in 1999 in Hoshangabad (Narmadapuram), Betul, and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh.
5ID: GK-WILD-00056
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Biosphere Reserve straddles the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh across the Maikal Hills?
Verified Explanation
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve was established in 2005, spanning Anuppur and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh and Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh.
6ID: GK-WILD-00059
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
What are the three officially defined concentric management zones of a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) framework?
Verified Explanation
Under UNESCO guidelines, a Biosphere Reserve is organized into three interrelated zones: the strictly protected Core Area, the surrounding Buffer Zone (for research and education), and the outer Transition Area (for sustainable human activity).
7ID: GK-WILD-00060
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, located in the Eastern Himalayas and home to the endemic Mishmi Takin and red goral, is situated in which state?
Verified Explanation
Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve was established in 1998 in Siang and Dibang Valley districts of Arunachal Pradesh, protecting Mouling National Park and Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary.
8ID: GK-WILD-00110
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
In November 2020, which Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh became the 12th from India to be included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)?
Verified Explanation
UNESCO added the Panna Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme in 2020.
9ID: GK-WILD-00115
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, spanning Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, and Sarchu in the Western Himalayas, is situated in which state/UT?
Verified Explanation
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve covers the high-altitude arid landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, protecting snow leopards and Tibetan wolves.
10ID: GK-WILD-00160
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve encompasses traditional tribal lands of which ancient indigenous community known for their distinct buffalo-centred culture?
Verified Explanation
The pastoral Toda community inhabits the high Nilgiri plateau within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, maintaining a sacred dairy culture centred around water buffaloes.
11ID: GK-WILD-00173
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim was officially inscribed into UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) in which year?
Verified Explanation
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve became the 11th Biosphere Reserve from India to be included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in July 2018.
12ID: GK-WILD-00189
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the first Biosphere Reserve established in India under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 1986?
Verified Explanation
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, spanning parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka in the Western Ghats, was the first biosphere reserve created in India in September 1986.
13ID: GK-WILD-00211
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
How many total Biosphere Reserves have been established in India across various biogeographic zones by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change?
Verified Explanation
India has notified a total of 18 Biosphere Reserves to date, of which 12 have been recognized internationally under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
14ID: GK-WILD-00218
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Biosphere Reserve in India has the largest geographical area, spanning more than 12,400 square kilometres across Gujarat?
Verified Explanation
The Great Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve in Gujarat covers 12,454 sq km, making it the largest biosphere reserve in India by physical land area.
15ID: GK-WILD-00220
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which is the smallest Biosphere Reserve in India in terms of total geographical area, covering approximately 765 square kilometres in Assam?
Verified Explanation
Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam spans 765 sq km, making it India's smallest biosphere reserve, noted for feral horses and White-winged wood ducks.
16ID: GK-WILD-00226
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Biosphere Reserve straddles the boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh across the Maikal Hills and represents the source watershed of three major rivers (Narmada, Son, and Johilla)?
Verified Explanation
The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (notified in 2005, UNESCO MAB recognized in 2012) joins the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, protecting the headwaters of the Narmada, Son, and Johilla rivers.
17ID: GK-WILD-00245
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which was the first Biosphere Reserve established in India in 1986, spanning across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka in the Western Ghats?
Verified Explanation
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established by the Government of India in September 1986 as India's first biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme.
18ID: GK-WILD-00259
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu is especially noted for being the first marine biosphere reserve in South Asia and a crucial refuge for which marine mammal?
Verified Explanation
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu harbours extensive seagrass beds that support the endangered herbivorous marine mammal Dugong (Dugong dugon).
19ID: GK-WILD-00265
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, located in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, was created primarily to protect the wild gene pool of which plant species?
Verified Explanation
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve preserves the endemic mother germplasm of Citrus indica (wild orange, locally known as Memang Narang).
20ID: GK-WILD-00271
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, straddling the southern Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is the traditional homeland of which indigenous tribal community?
Verified Explanation
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is home to the Kani (Kanikaran) tribe, known for their traditional ethno-medicinal knowledge including the restorative plant Arogyapacha.
21ID: GK-WILD-00285
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2013, incorporates which two national parks?
Verified Explanation
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve incorporates Campbell Bay National Park in the north and Galathea National Park in the south of Great Nicobar Island.
22ID: GK-WILD-00292
hardRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which Biosphere Reserve in India spans the high-altitude cold arid transitions incorporating Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary?
Verified Explanation
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was designated in 2009, covering Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal wetland, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary.
23ID: GK-WILD-00346
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Which was the very first Biosphere Reserve designated in India in 1986 under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, spanning Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu?
Verified Explanation
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established on 1 September 1986 as India's first biosphere reserve, encompassing 5,520 sq km across the Western Ghats of three states.
24ID: GK-WILD-00349
easyRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, India's first marine biosphere reserve designated in 1989 and known for protecting the vulnerable Dugong (sea cow), is located off the coast of which state?
Verified Explanation
The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve extends from Rameswaram to Tuticorin along the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, sheltering 21 islands with rich coral and sea grass beds.
25ID: GK-WILD-00352
mediumRamsar Wetland Sites & Biosphere Reserves
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2004, encompasses high-altitude wilderness across Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar in which state?
Verified Explanation
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in Uttarakhand, combining the core zones of Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park.