COLD DESERT BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Context
At the 37th ICC-MAB session (2025), India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). This makes it the country’s first high-altitude cold desert ecosystem to gain global recognition under UNESCO’s conservation framework.

What it is?

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is a high-altitude conservation area spread over 7,770 sq km in Himachal Pradesh’s Trans-Himalayan region. It integrates several ecologically important landscapes, including:

• Pin Valley National Park
   
• Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
   
• Chandratal Wetland and adjoining habitats
   

Key Zonation:

• Core Zone: 2,665 sq km (strict conservation)
   
• Buffer Zone: 3,977 sq km (ecological research, controlled tourism)
   
• Transition Zone: 1,128 sq km (sustainable community livelihoods)
   

Location and Landscape

• State/District: Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
   
• Altitude: 3,300–6,600 metres above sea level
   
• Terrain: Rugged plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and windswept cold desert habitats
   
• Climate: Extremely cold and dry, among the harshest ecosystems in UNESCO’s biosphere reserve network
   

History and Recognition

• 2009: Declared as a Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve by India
   
• 2025: Added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), marking its international recognition
   
• Significance: First high-altitude cold desert site from India in the global network
   

Biodiversity Features

• Flora:
   
  • 655 herbs, 41 shrubs, 17 tree species
     
  • 14 endemic species
     
  • 47 medicinal plants linked to the traditional Sowa Rigpa/Amchi healing system
     
• Fauna:
   
  • 17 species of mammals and 119 bird species
     
  • Flagship species: Snow Leopard, Himalayan Wolf, Tibetan Antelope, Himalayan Ibex
     

Communities and Livelihoods

• Population: Around 12,000 residents
   
• Livelihoods: Pastoralism, yak and goat herding, cultivation of barley and peas
   
• Cultural Heritage: Use of Tibetan medicine and traditional knowledge systems integrated into conservation practices
   

India and the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves

• India’s Biosphere Reserves: 18 in total, of which 13 are now part of UNESCO’s WNBR
   
• Global Context: WNBR has 785 sites across 142 countries
   
• 2025 Addition: UNESCO added 26 new sites to the network — the highest inclusion in two decades
   

Significance of the Recognition

• Global Recognition: Strengthens India’s leadership in mountain ecosystem and biodiversity conservation
   
• Scientific Value: Functions as a “living laboratory” for international research on cold desert ecology, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods
   
• Community Benefits: Enhances eco-tourism, traditional medicine promotion, and sustainable resource use for local populations
   

Conclusion

The inclusion of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in UNESCO’s World Network is a milestone for India’s conservation journey. It highlights the ecological uniqueness of the Trans-Himalayan cold desert, strengthens global scientific collaboration, and reinforces the balance between biodiversity protection and community well-being.