INDIA: Sixteen Biosphere Reserves designated in the country


Sixteen Biosphere Reserves have been designated in the country. They are : Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka), Nanda Devi (Uttrakhand), Nokrek (Meghalaya), Manas and Dibru-Saikhowa (Assam), Sundarban (West Bengal), Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), Great Nicobar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Similipal (Orissa), Dehang-Debang (Arunachal Pradesh), Khangchendzonga (Sikkim), Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh), Achanakmar-Amarkantak (Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh), Agasthyamalai (Tamil Nadu and Kerala), Katchchh (Gujarat) and Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh).


The criteria for selection of sites for Biosphere Reserves as laid down in the Guidelines issued by the Government on the subject are listed below:

Primary Criteria


(i) A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed core area of value of nature conservation and should include additional land and water suitable for research and demonstration of sustainable methods of research and management.

(ii) The core area should be typical of a biogeographical unit and large enough to sustain viable populations representing all trophic levels in the ecosystem.

Secondary Criteria

(i) Areas having rare and endangered species

(ii) Areas having diversity of soil and micro-climatic conditions and indigenous varieties of biota.

(iii) Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of environment.





The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun has established a temporary study camp at Ganjam (Rushikulya) for monitoring the population of Olive Ridley Turtles including their nesting and breeding behaviour. The WII is also monitoring the migration of these turtles through radio telemetry.



Various protection measures have been taken by the State Forest Department of Orissa to protect the sea turtles of off-shore and on-shore populations along Rushikulya. A forest camp has been established by the Orissa Forest department to monitor and protect the both on-shore and off –shore sea turtles along Rushikulya. Entire beach of the Rushikulya, where mass nesting takes place, are fenced to protect turtles nests from predators such as dogs, hyena, jackals, etc. The Government of Orissa has also initiated education and awareness programme in nearby coastal villages for seeking cooperation of the local people in the sea turtle conservation.



This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shrimati Renubala Pradhan in Rajya Sabha today.