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What's the article about?
- It discusses the importance of and the contribution made by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) Programme in bringing the idea of “Living in Harmony with Nature” to reality.
Relevance:
- GS3:Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment; Prelims.
What's the crux of the article?
- From now on, November 3 will be celebrated as “The International Day for Biosphere Reserves.”
Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal do not have biospheres as yet. - However, they might receive their first one during the “South and Central Asia MAB Reserve” Networking Meeting in 2023—as a part of the new, interconnected World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves.
“Living in Harmony with Nature”
- Living in harmony with nature means that we respect all life around us. It fosters the well-being of the planet, humans, animals, and plant life simultaneously
Significance of MAB in the conservation of biodiversity:
- All biosphere reserves have created science-based management plans.
- It encouraged development of best practices to conserve biodiversity locally.
- Awareness among the globe about the importance of biodiversity conservation increased significantly.
- They applied best practices while testing regional alternatives for sustainable human living and nature conservation.
- They encouraged the realisation of the concept of living harmoniously with nature.
Important Facts for Prelims:
- First BR in South Asia= Hurulu Biosphere Reserve, in Sri Lanka
- First BR in India= Nilgiri BR (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala), 2000.
- There are 18 Biosphere reserves in India as of 2022, of which 12 are also part of the UNESCO MAB Programme.
- World Network of Biosphere Reserves currently counts 738 sites in 134 countries all over the world, including 22 transboundary sites.
- BRs are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
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List Of Biosphere Reserves In India (first 12 are part of MAB):
UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB):
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Way Forward:
- We have to revert to living in harmony with nature — to breathe clean air again, have access to enough good water, eat nutritious and affordable food, and live in dignity.And thus, the role of the MAB programme certainly becomes important.
