Inle Lake- First UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Myanmar

Opening a new chapter in its commitment to bio-diversity and eco-system conservation, Myanmar launched its first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Inle Lake.

What is Biosphere Reserve?
Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof and representative examples of bio-geographic zones/provinces.

About International Status of Biosphere Reserves (BR)
The UNESCO has introduced the designation ‘Biosphere Reserve’ for natural areas to minimize conflict between development and conservation. BRs are nominated by national government which meet a minimal set of criteria and adhere to minimal set of conditions for inclusion in the world network of Biosphere reserves under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme of UNESCO.

Structure and functions
Biosphere reserves are demarcated into following 3 inter-related zones:
1. Core Zone: 
- This area often conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest.
- A core zone being the National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
2. Buffer Zone:
- It surrounds the core zone.
- In this area human activities are allowed in the ways that help in protection of core zone in its natural condition.
- Research and educational activities are to be encouraged.
3. Transition Zone
- It is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve. 
-  This includes settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

List of Biosphere Reserves in India
1. Nilgiri 
2. Nanda Devi: Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Almora districts in Uttarakhand.
3. Nokrek: Part of East, West and South Garo Hill districts in Meghalaya.  
4. Manas: Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta,Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang districts in Assam.
5. Sunderban: Part of delta of Ganges & Brahamaputra river system in West Bengal.
6. Gulf of Mannar: India part of Gulf of Mannar extending from Rameswaram island in the North to Kanyakumari in the South of Tamil Nadu.  
7. Great Nicobar: Southern most island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
8. Simlipal: Part of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa. 
9. Dibru-Saikhova: Assam
10. Dehang-Dibang: Arunachal Pradesh
11. Pachmarhi: Madhya Pradesh
12. Khangchendzonga: Part of North and West districts in Sikkim.
13. Agasthyamalai: Part of Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu and Thiruvanthapuram, Kollam and Pathanmthitta districts in Kerala.
14. Achanakmar- Amarkantak:Part of Anuppur and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh and Bilaspur district of Chattisgarh.
15. Kachchh: Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendranagar and Patan districts in Gujarat.
16. Cold Desert: Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal & Sarchu; and Kibber Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh.
17. Seshachalam: Seshachalam hill ranges in Eastern Ghats encompassing part of Chittoor and Kadapa districts in Andhra Pradesh.
18. Panna: Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh.