India's Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve enters UNESCO's global network, becomes country's 13th site on elite list

In a major recognition for India’s conservation efforts, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has officially been included in the esteemed World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

The designation was announced on September 27 at the 37th Session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, which convened as part of the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China.

With this addition, India now proudly has 13 sites listed in UNESCO’s global network, underscoring its commitment to balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable community development.