National governments nominate biosphere reserves, which remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states in which they are located. Their standing is acknowledged internationally by UNESCO's intergovernmental MAB Programme which designates the Biosphere Reserves. In this article, we will discuss the criteria for selection of biosphere reserves which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

What are Biosphere Reserves?

• Biosphere Reserves are large areas of bio-diversity where fauna and flora are protected.
• Biosphere reserves serve as "learning environments for sustainable development."
• They serve as test beds for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, such as conflict resolution and biodiversity management.
• They are locations that provide local solutions to global problems. Terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems are all included in biosphere reserves.
• Each site promotes solutions that balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable use.
• National governments nominate biosphere reserves, which remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states in which they are located.
• There is no law that governs the Biosphere Reserves (BR).
• The world's first biosphere reserve was established in 1979; since then, the network of biosphere reserves has grown to 738 in 134 countries worldwide.
• India currently has 18 notified biosphere reserves.

Criteria for Designation of Biosphere Reserve

• The International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the MAB programme selects biosphere reserves for inclusion in the Network.
• States are encouraged to assess and improve the adequacy of any existing biosphere reserve, and to propose extensions as needed, to allow it to function fully within the Network.
• Biosphere reserves established prior to the adoption of the current Statutory Framework are considered to be part of the Network. As a result, the provisions of the Statutory Framework apply to them.

Primary Criteria

• A site must have a protected and minimally disturbed core area of conservation value.
• It should include more land and water suitable for research and demonstration of sustainable research and management methods.
• The core area must be a bio-geographical unit large enough to support viable populations at all trophic levels.

Secondary Criteria

• Rare and endangered species habitats.
• Areas with a wide range of soil and microclimatic conditions, as well as indigenous biota.
• Participation of local communities and utilisation of their knowledge in biodiversity conservation.
• Areas with the potential to preserve traditional tribal or rural ways of life for the harmonious use of the environment.

Review Process of Biosphere Reserves

• A biosphere reserve's periodic review is an important event in its life.
• It allows for a ten-year review of the functioning, zoning, and scale of the biosphere reserve, as well as the involvement of the local populations.
• The periodic review provides an opportunity to conduct a qualitative survey of the actions taken and their outcomes.
• It is time to assess the biosphere reserve's progress, particularly in terms of updating knowledge, skills, and expertise in resource and ecosystem management.
• It also allows for a discussion of the updating of the zonation system and its relevance, as well as an examination of the objectives and means of management policies and the issues and problems associated with implementation.
• Its goal is to improve the quality of the biosphere reserves and their ability to function as testing and demonstration sites for approaches to sustainable development.

Withdrawal of Biosphere Reserves

• If a state wishes to withdraw a Biosphere Reserve under its jurisdiction from the network, it must notify the International MAB Secretariat. This notification will be forwarded to the MAB-ICC.
• The area will no longer be designated as a Biosphere Reserve by the World Network.
• Some countries have withdrawn Biosphere Reserves designated in the 1970s and 1980s because they could not meet the new requirements of the Seville Strategy for Biosphere Reserves, which, for example, requires the presence of resident communities in the Biosphere Reserve's transition area.
• Because a number of Biosphere Reserves (particularly those designated in the early days of the MAB Programme) are unable to meet the criteria of the Seville Strategy for various reasons, the MAB Council adopted a "exit strategy" at its 26th session (Sweden, 2014).
• According to this exit strategy, the MAB Council may decide to withdraw sites from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves if they do not function as a Biosphere Reserve or no longer do so.
• Till date 45 sites have been withdrawn from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by 9 countries.

Conclusion

The state governments meticulously maintain the biosphere reserves, which are well recognized internationally. These are primarily used for land and water experimentation. The government of India has established 18 Biosphere Reserves with the sole purpose of protecting natural habitats. All flora, fauna, and humans are thoroughly protected in these areas.