UNESCO recognition for biosphere reserve

By V.S. Palaniappan

COIMBATORE, JUNE 6. The Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) spread over about 5520 square km across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka has been approved by the UNESCO as part of the International Network of Biosphere Reserves (BRs).

The Bureau for Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of the UNESCO which began in 1971 met during its 16th session (November 6-10, 2000) held at the UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, to examine new proposals for recognition and approval.

The bureau examined 24 proposals from 16 countries and one extension to an existing BR in the light of technical recommendations made by the advisory committee for BRs.

It approved 21 sites and one extension of BR and requested revision of three proposals. The NBR, nominated as the first BR proposal of India, representing a unique threatened eco- system in the tropics was approved by the bureau.

Then it recommended that the Indian authorities consider extending the transition zone around the core and buffer zones in order to contribute to their long-term protection.

The Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle, Dr. T. Sekar, told The Hindu that UNESCO representatives would hand over the certificates on June 8. The Chief Wild Life Wardens of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka would receive it.

With this there would be 11 BRs in the country and the NBR would become the second BR in the State. The first was the Gulf of Mannar, which conserved coral reefs and marine reserves.

Dr. Sekar said the Nilgiris was a unique biosphere reserve with two well protected areas/sanctuaries, Mudumalai and Mukurthi National Parks with rich flora and fauna. The wildlife remained intact over the period providing rich scope and avenues for research.

The NBR has 2537 sq.km in Tamil Nadu, 1455 sq.km in Kerala and 1527 sq.km in Karnataka. The Tamil Nadu portion of the NBR spreads over the Nilgiris, Coimbatore and Erode districts. In Tamil Nadu, the NBR falls under the jurisdictions of Coimbatore, Sathymangalam, Nilgiris South and North Territorial divisions besides the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mukurti National Park.

The MAB is the main environmental programme of the UNESCO that addresses natural resources in the context of promoting sustainable development. It aims at bringing together the natural and social sciences and in developing a bridge between Government agencies and the academic community. It is a programme for international coordination and solidarity.

The main operational tool of the MAB programme is the world network of BRs (BRs are sites nominated by countries). They serve as sites for exploring and demonstrating approaches to sustainable development.

The MAB is always conceived as being a decentralised programme with work being undertaken by scientists at country level coordinated by the MAB national committees.

The UNESCO provided the seed money to initiate action at the national level and also extra budgetary funding for substantial support for a few pilot projects on conservation and sustainable development of BRs. Funding for research and education would get augmented as a result of this recognition, the Conservator said.

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