Why in the News?

• The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, making it India’s 13th site on the global list.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Cold Desert Reserve (Introduction, Biodiversity & Cultural Richness, Significance of Declaration, Future Outlook, etc.)

Introduction

• In a significant recognition of India’s conservation efforts, UNESCO has designated the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh as part of its prestigious World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
• This inclusion marks a global acknowledgement of the ecological, cultural, and scientific importance of the fragile Trans-Himalayan ecosystem.
• With this addition, India now has 13 biosphere reserves listed under UNESCO, highlighting the country’s commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable development.

About the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve

• The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve spans 7,770 sq. km. across Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district.
• Situated at altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 meters, the region represents one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in the world.
• It covers landscapes such as windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high-altitude deserts.
• The reserve integrates the Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and the Sarchu plains, making it a hub of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
• It is divided into three zones: core (2,665 sq. km), buffer (3,977 sq. km), and transition (1,128 sq. km), to balance conservation goals with sustainable community practices.

Biodiversity and Cultural Richness

• The Cold Desert is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.
• It harbours 732 vascular plant species, including 30 endemics and 47 medicinal herbs crucial to the traditional Sowa Rigpa (Amchi) healing system.
• Among its iconic fauna are the snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, Himalayan wolf, and several bird species like the golden eagle and Himalayan snowcock.
• Around 12,000 residents inhabit scattered villages across the reserve.
• They continue to practice traditional pastoralism, yak and goat herding, and small-scale farming of barley and peas.
• The communities also maintain ancient Tibetan herbal medicine traditions, often guided by Buddhist monasteries and local councils that regulate the use of alpine resources.

Global and National Significance

• The UNESCO designation underscores the urgent need to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems, which face mounting challenges from climate change and unchecked tourism.
• It also elevates Himachal’s cold desert to global prominence, ensuring international cooperation in conservation, eco-tourism, and climate research.
• The recognition came during the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) in Paris.
• Globally, UNESCO has added 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries this year, the highest number in two decades, expanding WNBR to 785 sites in 142 countries.

India’s Growing Biosphere Network

• With the addition of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, India’s tally of UNESCO-recognised biospheres has reached 13.
• This reflects the country’s broader strategy to align conservation with sustainable community development.
• India’s biospheres now include diverse ecosystems, from the Nilgiri and Sundarbans to the Great Nicobar and Pachmarhi.
• Union Environment Ministry noted that this achievement follows the inclusion of two new Ramsar sites in India, bringing the country’s total wetlands of international importance to 93.
• The move reflects India’s consistent push to integrate ecological preservation with international frameworks.

Future Outlook

• The UNESCO recognition is expected to encourage greater research collaborations, promote responsible tourism, and improve climate resilience strategies in high-altitude ecosystems.
• It also calls attention to India’s role in safeguarding fragile mountain landscapes that are both biodiversity hotspots and cultural treasures.
• The designation strengthens the global narrative of balancing conservation with community livelihoods, offering India an opportunity to showcase its traditional knowledge systems, pastoral practices, and eco-cultural heritage.