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BIODIVERSITY
Note: This material is developed by Mr. Ramesh, renowned Geography faculty member from Hyderabd. I thank him for his contributions.
N.Kalyana Chakravarthy
It
refers to the incredible variety of life found on our planet. Biodiversity is
the shortened term for biological diversity.
It
is an umbrella term used to describe the number of varieties and variability of
living organisms in a given assemblage.
Biodiversity,
therefore embraces the whole of life on the earth.
It
is described as the totality of genes, species and ecosystems corresponding to
3 fundamentals and hierarchically related levels of biological organization.
The
concept of biodiversity was introduced by W.G.Rosen in 1985 and was popularized
by
Manus and Norse.
The
life on earth is so diverse that we really have no idea that how many species
are there.
The
estimates fall in between 15-30million species of plants and animals and only
1.5-1.8 million species have been identified majority of them are
un-indentified. Out of 34known animal phyla, only one phylum lives exclusively
on land, 14 of them in oceans and rest 19 are amphibians in nature.
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Approximately
7,50,000 insects, 41,000 vertebrates, 2,50,000 plants are described.
Biodiversity
is the focal point to our existence
because
We
derive the food which was once wild and we rely on the wild to improve the
domesticated ones.
We
derive the medicines from plants and animals to develop new drugs for treatment
of various diseases. The human civilization continued for several thousands of
years, was on the herbal medicines and even now we are extracting the required
chemical formulae from the plant species.
The
biodiversity provides a vast gene pool and the genetic resources for increasing
the vigor by hybridization. Change in the gene pool may cause the depletion of
the species themselves by the pests and insect attack.
Ex: rice
The
natural ecosystems in the form of national parks and sanctuaries are providing
recreation for the distressed souls.
By
the study the biodiversity the conversation of the endangered species, the
links in the food webs can be done. Which may make available of more bigger
gene pool and more chances of human survival.
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TYPES
OF BIODIVERSITY:
There are 4 types of bio-diversities
identified.
1.BIOLOGICAL
DIVERSITY: It means the full range of variety and variability with in and among
the living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur.
(or) it is a variety of life and its
processes in the ecosystems.
2.GENETIC
DIVERSITY:
It
refers to the variation of genes within the species.
Ex:
10,000’s of rice varieties present in India.
3.SPECIES
DIVERSITY:
It
is a variety and abundance of different types of organisms which inhabit a
geographical area. It is the species richness of an area and it is also called
as taxonomic diversity.
Ex:
An island with two species of birds and one species of lizard has great
taxonomic diversity than an island having 3 species of birds present.
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4. ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY:
It
includes the variety of habitats that occur in a region. It is harder to
measure.
Ex:
the grass land ecosystem, deserts, savannahs etc.
Newly
even the Agro biodiversity and microbial diversity are added.
Since
2000, 53 new species of primates have been described.
Ex:
Brazilian monkey, Mura’s saddle back tarrarin etc.
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BIODIVERSITY
VALUE:
The
biodiversity has got 3 values namely.
ECOLOGICAL
VALUE:
All
living organisms are supported by the interactions among organisms and
ecosystem. The loss of biodiversity makes ecosystem less stable and more
vulnerable and also weakens its natural cycles.
ECONOMIC
VALUE:
Everything
we buy and sell originates from the natural world. Nature provides the raw
materials which we need for survival.
At
least 1650 known tropical forest plants have the potential to be grown as the
vegetable crops. Nature is a source for many medicines etc.
CULTURAL
VALUE:
Most
people feel connected to nature, often the reasons are hard to explain. Some
feel strong spiritual bond and others are inspired by its
beauty.
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BIODIVERSITY DIVISIONS:
The
are 2 important divisions of biodiversity namely
ALPHA-DIVERSITY:
( or within the habitat diversity)
This
refers to a group of organisms interacting and also competing for the same
resources and sharing the same environment.
BETA
DIVERSITY: ( or between habitat diversity)
This
refers to a group of organisms living in different habitats, but interacting
and competing for the same resources by encroaching into each other or
different habitats.
PATTERNS:
The
patterns of diversities change in relation to space and time.
IN
SPACE:
We
know that species diversity declines with increasing distance from the equator
and the rich biodiversity of tropics is due to
the
tropics remained relatively undisturbed ( no frequent glaciations ), so it had
a long evolutionary time for species diversification.
More
solar energy means more productivity which indirectly contributes to more
diversity.
More
the variable the habitat, greater is the species diversity in that habitat.
IN
TIME
SEASONAL
PATTERN: Diversity of species will vary during different seasons of the year.
Since, the birds and animals have the
different breeding seasons, migratory behavior etc.
SUCCESSIONAL
PATTERN: After the disturbances of ( fire and agriculture ), the plants and
animals begin to reoccupy the habitat.
In
this process other species out compete the original inhabitants.
EVOLUTIONARY
PATTERN: Around 225 mya and phyla stopped increasing. 66 mya, the new classes
stopped increasing whereas the new orders, families, genera and species are
going on increasing.
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LOSS
OF BIODIVERSITY:
The
loss of biodiversity is most fundamental, it is natural and also irreversible.
All
the species have a finite span of existence, so species extinction is a natural
process which occurs without human intervention.
It
is beyond the doubt that extinctions caused by human are occurring at a faster
rate and far exceeds the natural rate and far exceeds the natural rate.
The
global convention on biological diversity of 1992 “ The Earth Summit”.
It
has devised 10 policy fields causes for the loss of biodiversity and one of
that is mankind, is destroying the natural heritage at an incredible speed.
The
biodiversity is facing threats. There are 4 major causes for the loss of
biodiversity.
HABITAT
LOSS AND FRAGMENTATION:
One
of the most cause for the extinction of plants and animals is habitat loss and
fragmentation, it is due to the human activities like expansions of the
habitations, construction of transportation arteries in the forests, diverting
the channels of rivers etc.
Ex:
the rainforests are once covered more than 14% of the land surface now it is
decreased to 6%
So
when large habitats are broken up into the smaller fragments, the birds and the
animals requiring large territories are badly effected leading to the
population decline.
Ex:
Great Indian Bustard in MP, Gujarat & Rajasthan; loin failed macaque in
Western ghats.
OVER-EXPLOITATION:
Humans
have always depended on nature for food and shelter, but need turns to greed it
leads to over exploitation of natural resources
Ex:
several species got extinction in the past 500 years due to over exploitation
like the pigeons, sea-cows etc.
Shrinking
the biodiversity leads to more vulnerability to diseases and lesser
adaptability to climatic change.
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INTRODUCTION
TO NEW SPECIES:
Among
the major threats faced by the native plant and animal species is the one posed
by the invasive alien species, its only the second to the habitat loss.
Ex:
Alien aquatic weeds like water hyacinth, lantana and carrot grass
Illegally
introduced catfishes and big head craps adversely affected the native weeds and
fishes.
Accidental
entry of silver crap into Govind sagar Dam, over shadowed the native catla and
mahseer fish.
In
1859, a farmer in S. Australia imported a dozen pairs of wild European rabbits,
which by 1995 reached every corner of the country.
CO-EXTINCTIONS:
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When
species become extinct, the plant and animal species associated with it also
become extinct.
Ex:
cutting of huge trees causes the mini diversity lost like the birds, the
insects, the creepers and the shrubs - under its shade are all lost.
Apart
from the above
The
climate change is also significant threat to biodiversity, because it will
alter the growth, the reproduction, and the host –pathogen relationships in
both the plants and the animals.
The
raising sea levels are already submerging some of the islands leading to rapid
loss of biodiversity.
Unsustainable
use of natural resources, climate change, inappropriate fire regimes, changes
to aquatic environment and water flows.
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HOTSPOTS:
The
regions with a significant reservoir of biodiversity, that is under threat from
humans.
They
are biologically rich areas with high diversity and large percentage of endemic
species.
The
concept of Hotspots was forwarded by British ecologists “Norman Myers” in 1988.The
area to be qualified as a hotspot:
a)It
should support 1500endemic plant species i.e 0.5% of the global total
b)It
must have loot> 70% of its original habitat
Accordingly
there are 34 hotspots scattered, which are representing around 1.4% of the land
area, 44% of the plant species, 35% of all the terrestrial vertebrates.
4
of the hotspots are present in North and Central America, 4 in Europe and C.
Asia, 5 in S. America, 8 in Africa, 13 in Asia pacific ( 2 in India: Indo-Burma
and Western ghats-Srilanka)
The
world wild life found as devised a conservation strategy to save the
biodiversity hotspots
Global
200 is the list of eco regions identified by world wildlife fund as the
priorities of conservation, and a total of 238 “G200” regions have been
identified.
142
(60%) are terrestrial.
53
(22%) are fresh water.
43
(18%) are marine habitat types.
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CONSERVATION:
There
are many reasons for biodiversity conservation which are grouped into 3
categories
NARROWLY
UTILITARIAN REASONS:
The
narrowly utilitarian arguments for bio can are from the selfish point of view,
humans should be concerned about saving biodiversity because of the benefits it
provides us like biological resources and ecosystem services, the nature also
provides the social and the spiritual benefits as well.
Biological
resources; fall into several categories like food, medicines, fiber, wood
products and more.
Ex:
over 700 species of plants are used for food, although we heavily rely on only
12 major crops.
Ex:
opiate pain relievers are from poppies
-aspirinàwillows
Quinineàchinchona
Rosy
periwinkleàvinca rosea
Pacific
yawàtexa bravifolia
Both
provide substances used for inhabiting cell growth of cancerous cells.
Ex:
shark skin provides the model for hydrodynamic swimming suites.
Glues
used by sand castle worm, was the inspiration for the glue that mends the
fractured bones. Spider silk to design a strong, lightweight fibers.
Ecosystem
services: these are the processes provided by nature that support human life.
The activities included are the decomposition of waste pollination, water
purification, moderation of the floods and renewal of soil fertility,That the
humans derive a countless economic benefits from nature, such as foods and
products of medicinal importance.
Ex:
25% of the drugs of the world are derived from plants. 25000 species of plants
contribute to traditional medicines.
Bio
prospecting: exploring the molecular, genetic and species level products of
economic importance from the living organisms called as bio prospecting.
The
nations endowed with rich bio diversity can expect to reap enormous benefits.
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BROADLY
UTILITARIAN REASONS:
The
broadly utilitarian argument says that the biodiversity plays major role for
all.
Ex:
amazon produce 20% of the total oxygen into earth’s atmosphere.
THE
ETHICAL ARGUMENT:
It is that because we share this planet along
with millions of plants, animals and microbes etc. we owe and have moral duty
to care for their wellbeing.
It
is the philosophically or spiritually caused intrinsic values. Many biologists
agree that we are in the midst of a mass extinction, the last great mass
extinction was 65 million years. ( when
the dinosaurs went extinct at the end of the cretaceous period)
ICUN
: The international union for the conservation of nature estimates that
22%
of the known mammals
32%
of the amphibians
14%
of the birds and
32%
of the gymnosperms are threatened with extinction.
The
species that were abundant with in the last 200 years have gone extinct.
CONCLUSION:
Pass our biological legacy in perfect order to our future generations.
The
biodiversity conservation is accomplished in a number of ways, but are put
under two broad headings
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EX
SITU METHODS:
Which
focus on the species conservation in botanic gardens, zoos, gene banks and
captive breeding programs.
It
involves the conservation of the living organisms not in the site; that not in
their natural habitat.
ZOOS:
These contribute to the conservation of individual animal species, at present
90% of the critically endangered species are present in the zoos alone.
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GENE
BANKS:
These are the store houses which are maintained under controlled
temperature conditions, and in general the seeds of different species are
stored.
Under
such controlled conditions the preservation of seeds can be done for 100’s of
years.
Ex:
Svalbard seed vault (Norway) has got all known variety of seeds. àNational seeds bank is
also established in Lehn.
BOTANIC
GARDENS:
These are also called as the field gene banks 1600 BG’s in world.
Usually the plants that doesn’t produce seeds or the seeds which doesn’t
germinate are conserved in the botanical gardens and the nurseries etc.
CAPTIVE
BREEDING PROGRAM: The wild is very vast and the due to the depletion of
species, there are no potent mates available for reproduction and the hence the
animals are put together and are seen that they mate.
THE
CRYO PRESERVATIONS:
It includes the low temperature preservations, where the
organs or the tissues are preserved in the liquid nitrogen at -172 c.
TISSUE
CULTURE: This includes the growing of plants in the laboratories, may be in the
test tube or conical flashes etc in the nutrient agar medium.
It
is a type asexual reproduction, where the mass cloning of the single plant is
multiplied either from the leaves or the stem etc.
IN
SITU METHODS:
On
the site, in the place which use the conservation areas as warehouses of
biological information.
In
situ methods are generally recognized as being more secure and financially
efficient. The main conservation strategies includes
Expansion
of the protected area network, in the form of national parks, sanctuaries and
bio reserves etc.
This
facilitates the gene flow through the creation of corridors, introduction of
new genetic stock, translocation of the animals etc
Establishing
minimum target population goals
Distributing
founders through the captive breeding programs.
Improved
protection efforts and landscape approach to conservation
Mapping
the distribution of habitat type
Establishment
of associating groups of species with different landscape elements.
Assessing
the threats to the species because of on going commercial landscape changes.
Assigning
conservation priorities to species on the basis of threats, rarity, endemism
and taxonomic distinctiveness.
Assigning
conservation priorities of different types of habitats etc.
INDIAN
BIODIVERSITY
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India
is the one of the 8 vavilovians centers ( origin of wild ancestors)
It
ranks in top 10 species rich nations of the world.
India
offers a wide range of habitat types with large variety of biodiversity.
According
to IUCN of nature and natural resources, world conservation union, India has a
total of 91,200 species of animals, 45,500
species of plants, à species of birds ( 9th
in world); à500 species of mammals (7th
in world);à 100’s species of reptiles(5th
in world and is 47%);à 100’s of species of
amphibians (7th in position its 61.2% of the world total)
Nearly
15% of the Indian biodiversity is
considered as “endemic” i.e these species are local and not found in other
parts of the world.
The
great problem faced by the biodiversity of India is that they are either 1.
Getting endangered or2. In the stage of extinction.
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ENDANGERED
SPECIES:
The
species whose life is threatened and known as endangered species. Ex: Indian lion, snow leopard, wild buffalo,
great Indian bustard, Nilghai, Niligiri Langur, Bengal tiger, Kashmiri stag,
Musk deer, cheetah, wildars and the Gazelle etc
According
to the Red data book of IUCN INDIA has 413 globally threatened species it is
4.9% of the world’s total.
The
fast dwindling of the forest of western ghats and Himalayas etc , the human
activities is adversely affecting the biodiversity and this trend is disturbing
the ecological balance.
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RED
DATA BOOK:
The
IUCN is now called as the world conservation union, it has its headquarters at
Morges, Switzerland is maintaining the “Red book data” or “red list”, which is
a catalogue of taxa(species) facing risk of extinction.
The
red book was initiated in 1963 to provide the
a)The
awareness of threat to biodiversity
b)Provide
a global index about already declined biodiversity
c)Guidelines
for identification and documentation of species which are at high risk of
extinction and for preparing conservation priorities and help in conservation
action
d)To
have the information about international agreements like convention on
biological diversity CBD and the convention on international trade in
endangered species of wild fauna and flora cities etc.
Red
list 8 categories of species:
EXTINCT:
The taxon which have been completely eliminated or died out from earth. Ex:
dodo.dinasaurs
EXTINCT
IN WILD: The taxon is absent in any of its natural or expected habitats in the
wild. A number of domesticated animals and plants have become extinct in the
wild.
CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED: The taxon is facing very high risk of extinction in the wild and
can become extinct in any moment in the immediate future.
Their
number worldwide is 925 animals and 1014 plants (10%-mammals, 9%-birds,
15%-reptiles, 16%-amphibians, 16%- angiosperms). The number of critically
endangered animals and plants in India is 18 and 44 respectively.
Ex:
sus salvanius (pigmy, hog) berberis, nilghirienris, podo-phyllum etc
ENDANGERED:
It is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future due to
either
a)Decrease
in its habitat
b)Excessive
predation
c)Poaching
etc
In
India 54animals and 113 plants are endangered.
Ex:
The Asiatic wild ass( asinus hemionus khur) restricted to Runn of Kutch, the lion tailed macaque etc
VULNERABLE:
Presently the population is sufficient, but if proper careis not taken they may
undergo depletion.
Out
of the total threatened species 34-51% are vulnerable with 34% mammals, 36%
birds, 43% reptiles, 48% amphibians, 51% angiosperms.
In
India their number is 143 animals and 87 plants. Ex: antelope cervicapra (black
buck); cupressus cashmeriana- Indian gazelle etc
LOWER
RISK: They are the threatened species which have lower risk of extinction, with
less attention they become normal flourishing species
The
percentage of lower risk species, out of the total threatened ones is 37%
mammals, 38%-birds, 21% reptiles, 16%amphibians, 14% angiosperms. In India
their number is 109 animals, 73 plant species.
DATA
DEFICIENCY: The data for making direct and indirect assessment of risk of
extinction is deficient.
NON
EVALUTED: The taxon has not been evaluated for risk or extinction.
EFFORTS:
International
efforts for conserving the biodiversity several, international agreements and
global initiatives have focused on bio conservation like “ Earth summit” at Rio
de Janerio 1992 Brazil promoted convention on biological diversity CBD”
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UNESCO (United nations educational scientific and cultural organization), in 1971 has
began the man and the biosphere program aimed to improve relationship
The
plan was to establish at least one (ideally 5 or more), biosphere reserves in
each of the Earths 193 bio-geographical zones.
Convention
concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage, it was
adopted by UNESCO 1972
It
seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural
and natural heritage. A number of sites in the heritage list are the nature
parks, reservoirs etc, that conserve biodiversity.
RAMSAR:
This is the convention for the protection of wet lands in Iran-1971
CITIES:
Convention and international trade in endangered species wild fauna and flora
has begun in 1975 with 21 countries.
But
by 2010-175 signatories were present. This bans the hunting capturing and
selling of the endangered or threatened species.
It
lists over 900 species of live specimen or wild life products cannot be traded.
It
restricts the international trade of 29000 other species that are potentially
threatened.
UNCLOS:
United nation’s convention on the law of the sea. This is to protect the marine
biodiversity of accounting.
In
1980 three organizations, they are UNEP, ICUN, WWF
(a)UNEP:
United nation’s environment program
(b)IUCN:
International union for conservation of nature and natural resources
(c)WWF:
World wild fund for nature have prepared a world conservation strategy.
The
plan was to conserve biodiversity, preserve vital ecosystems and their
processes and develop sustainable uses of organisms.
CBD:
Convention on biological diversity was approved in 1992 at the Earth summit and
came into force in 1993.
As
on 2010 end 193 countries are parties to the convention. It has 3 goals
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Conservation
on biodiversity
Sustainable
use of components of biodiversity
Nagoya
program: It is on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable
sharing of benefits from their utilization, 29th,oct,2010
Sharing
the benefits using from the commercial and other utilization of genetic
resources in a fair and equitable way
It
is the main international agreement for conserving global biodiversity because
of the abundant diversity, conservation is important for not only for the
country but also for the rest of the world and India is the secondary home for
species.
CARTAGENA
PROTOCOL: (On biosafety) this aims the safe handling of the bio aspects, while
they are in transit, UN Nairobi office in 2000 with 166 signatories.( NGO-
GREEN PEACE)
ICCMSB:
International convention for the control and management of ships ballast water
and sediments are adapted by 75 countries in 2004
Under
this convention ships must have facilities to treat the ballast water before
releasing them into foreign water.
NATIONAL
EFFORTS FOR CONSERVATION:
India
is a particularly and signatory country to all the major international
conventions, the protocols and programs for conserving the biodiversity.
As
soon as the idea was mooted by UN, India
actively participated and also brought out several acts for protecting
biodiversity like:
National
board for wild life 1952, for protection and conservation of wild life and to
advice the government for constitution of national parks, sanctuaries and
zoological gardens along with promoting public awareness
Under
this board 99- national parks, 515 wild life sanctuaries, 53 tiger reserves, 18
biospheres, 19 zoological parks were been established.
Wild
life protection act,1972: for conservation of wild life, protection of
endangered species, breeding programs for endangered species, control of
poaching and illegal trading of wildlife etc
Project
tiger: it was launched in 1973 because the tiger population dwindled from
40,000 in the beginning of 20th century to just 1700 in 2010
There
are 53 tiger reserves of which 17 are getting 100% cental assistance (largest
Nagarjuna sagar).
National
wildlife action plan: it was adopted in 1983. It provides framework and program
for wildlife conservation
Project
elephant was launched in 1992 and implemented in states and UT’S.
Wildlife
crime control bureau-2008 was established.
Integrated
forest protection scheme was introduced in 10th five year plan.
It
has been renamed as the intensification of forest management in 11th
five year plan, for conserving the uniue vegetation and ecosystem.
National
biodiversity act came into effect from 2002.
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BIOSPHERE
The
biosphere program is a part of international program, its idea was mooted by
UNESCO in 1973-74
AIMS:
For preserving the genetic diversity and integrity of all living organisms
To
provide education on environmental awareness, for the initiation of ecological
developmental process.
The
1st biosphere zone identified in India was Niligiris-1984,
subsequently 17 more were added to the list and at present there are 18
biospheres in India, they are
Niligiri-1984
- TAMILNADU- 5500
Nokrek-1988- Meghalaya- 800
Nandadeir-1988
– UK- 5900
Great
Nicobar-1989- A&N- 900
Gulf
of mannar- 1989- TN- 10500
Manas-1989-
ASSAM-2800
Sunderbans-
1989- WB- 9600
Simlipal-
1994- ORISSA- 4400
Dibru-saikhowa-
1997- ASSAM- 770
Dehang
– debang- 1998- AR.P- 5100
Panmarhi
or pach man – 1999- MP- 4900
Kanchanjunga-
2000- SIKKIM- 2600
Agasthyamalai-
2001- KERELA- 1800
Achanakamar-Amarkantak-
2005-MP-
CHATTISGARH- 3800
Kutch-
2008- GUJARAT- 12500
Pin
valley national park( cold desert)- 2009- HP-
Seshachalam
hills- 2010- AP-
Panna-
2011- MP
Each
biosphere reserve has
Core
and natural zone: no human activity
Buffer
zone: limited human activity is allowed
Transition
zone: it is also called manipulation zone. In this zone there is active cooperation present between the local
and forest officials for doing certain economic activities without disturbing
ecology
The
1st protected area was the Hailey National park i.e.,JIM CORBETT
National park which was established in 1935-36 in UK.
The
biosphere is put under 3rd category of protected areas
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MAN
AND BIODIVERSITY PROGRAM:
It
is an intergovernmental scientific program for the improvement of the
relationship between the people and environment, launched in 1970 and began in
1971.
Till
2010 there were 562 biosphere reserves present in 109 countries.
4
of the India’s biospheres were included in the world network of biosphere reserves
they areà Suderbans, Gulf of Mannar, Nilgiri,
Nandadevi
4
more are considered for inclusionàManas, Simlipal,
Pachmarhi, Kanchenzonga.
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