India Strengthens Conservation: New additions to UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar Sites

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve of India joined the UNESCO network. Additionally, India’s total number of Ramsar sites has risen to 93 following the addition of two new sites, Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel. 

India has reached two major conservation milestones in 2025. The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. 

At the same time, two new wetlands- Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheelin in Bihar have been added to India’s Ramsar Sites network. These developments bring India’s total to 13 UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserves and 93 Ramsar Sites, positioning the nation as a global leader in biodiversity conservation.

Understanding Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves differ from traditional protected areas in their approach to conservation. While National Parks prioritize protection through human exclusion, biosphere reserves are designed as “living laboratories” where human communities and nature coexist.

Established under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 1971, these reserves serve three interconnected functions: conservation of biodiversity, promotion of sustainable development, and provision of support for research and environmental education. This integrated approach makes biosphere reserves effective tools for testing sustainable development models in real-world conditions.

Three-Zone Management Model

Every biosphere reserve operates through a mandatory zonation structure that balances protection with human use:

• Core Area: This strictly protected zone prohibits all human activities except non-manipulative scientific research and monitoring. It typically comprises existing National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries and serves as a reference point for natural ecosystems.
• Buffer Zone: Surrounding the core, this zone permits activities compatible with conservation, including environmental education, controlled ecotourism, and ecological research.
• Transition Area: The outermost zone accommodates human settlements and economic activities. This zone allows communities to engage in agriculture, tourism, and managed resource extraction while maintaining ecological balance.

This zonation model directly addresses the challenge of integrating conservation with human livelihoods, a need that becomes clear when examining India’s newly designated Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve.

Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve: High-Altitude Conservation

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve became India’s first high-altitude cold desert ecosystem to receive UNESCO recognition in September 2025. This designation was announced during the 37th Session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council.

The reserve spans 7,770 square kilometers across Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district, with altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 meters. The terrain includes windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high-altitude deserts—representing one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in UNESCO’s network.

Conservation Value and Management Priorities

The reserve encompasses several protected areas including Pin Valley National Park, Chandratal, Sarchu, and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Its primary conservation targets include the vulnerable Snow Leopard, Himalayan Ibex, and Himalayan Wolf.

Current management initiatives address tourism pressures and climate change impacts through snow leopard conservation, glacial lake monitoring, community-based climate resilience, and environmental education programs. 

These programs bridge indigenous knowledge with scientific research—an approach that aligns with the core philosophy of biosphere reserves. While biosphere reserves focus on large landscapes and integrated development, India’s wetland conservation follows a different framework through the Ramsar Convention.

Ramsar Sites: Wetland Conservation Framework

Ramsar Sites are designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, established in 1971. This treaty creates the world’s largest network of protected wetlands, emphasizing their value for hydrological regulation, flood control, and biodiversity support.

To qualify as a Ramsar Site, a wetland must satisfy at least one of nine criteria related to ecological, botanical, zoological, or hydrological significance. These criteria prioritize sites containing unique wetland types, those supporting vulnerable species, waterbirds, fish populations, or other wetland-dependent species.

Bihar’s New Ramsar Sites

The designation of two wetlands in Bihar in 2025 brings India’s total Ramsar count to 93. Both sites are oxbow lakes—crescent-shaped water bodies formed when river meanders are cut off—that serve distinct ecological and hydrological functions.

Gokul Jalashay: Flood Mitigation and Community Support

Located in Buxar district along the Ganga River, Gokul Jalashay spans 448 hectares. This oxbow lake functions as a natural buffer during flood events, protecting surrounding villages from water damage.

The wetland supports over 50 bird species and provides livelihoods for local communities through fishing, farming, and irrigation. Community involvement in annual cleaning festivals reflects traditional ties to wetland health.

Udaipur Jheel: Biodiversity and Endemic Species

Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran district covers 319 hectares and is bordered by Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary. The site hosts over 280 plant species, including Alysicarpus roxburghianus, a perennial herb endemic to India.

The wetland serves as a wintering ground for approximately 35 migratory bird species, including the vulnerable Common Pochard. Its designation based on endemic flora confirms that Ramsar criteria protects waterfowl populations along with rare plant diversity.

These new designations highlight the multiple ecosystem services that wetlands provide, services that connect directly to India’s climate resilience strategy through hydrological regulation, carbon sequestration, and livelihood support for local communities.

Conservation Challenges and Management Responses

Despite increased protection, both biosphere reserves and Ramsar Sites face threats from encroachment, pollution, climate variability, and altered hydrological regimes. Wetlands globally are disappearing three times faster than forests.

Legal and Institutional Framework

In India, wetland conservation is governed by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, enacted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. These rules transfer management authority to State Wetland Authorities, which prepare wetland inventories and define permitted activities based on the “wise use” principle.

Ramsar concept of ‘Wise use’ focuses on the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development.

Judicial intervention has also strengthened enforcement. In December 2024, the Supreme Court directed all States and Union Territories to complete wetland boundary demarcation within three months, using the Space Application Center Atlas, 2021. The court also mandated High Courts to monitor the condition of Ramsar sites.

Financial and Technological Innovation

Traditional conservation models rely on government budgets. India is now mobilizing market-based incentives through schemes like Amrit Dharohar and the Indian Green Credit Programme. By linking wetlands to carbon markets, the government creates financing mechanisms for long-term ecosystem management.

Technology supports implementation. The Rajasthan State Wetland Authority has initiated a carbon sequestration project and is implementing the Lake Management System (LAMAS) using AI-based monitoring. 

Tamil Nadu uses drone technology for digital mapping to support boundary demarcation requirements. These multi-layered strategies address implementation gaps and ensure protection against encroachment and degradation.

Conclusion

India’s expansion to 13 UNESCO biosphere reserves and 93 Ramsar Sites demonstrates commitment to balancing economic development with ecological health. These designations serve multiple objectives: protecting biodiversity, ensuring climate resilience, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve exemplifies India’s approach to protecting sensitive regions while demonstrating sustainable development models. Bihar’s new Ramsar Sites underscore the importance of wetland conservation for hydrological stability and disaster mitigation.

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Biosphere reserve and Ramsar site FAQs

1. How many Ramsar Sites does India have till September 2025?

Ans. 93 Ramsar Sites.

2. Which biosphere reserve in India joined the UNESCO network in 2025?

Ans. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh.

3. What are the two new Ramsar Sites designated in Bihar?

Ans. Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel.

4. What are the three zones in a biosphere reserve?

Ans.  Core area, buffer zone, and transition area.

5. What type of wetlands are Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel?

Ans. Oxbow lakes.