Humanity has only one planet, and it is threatened. With each passing year, the urgency of tackling environmental issues becomes clearer. There is an immediate need to rethink finding sustainable ways to find solutions. Biosphere reserves have shown that it is possible to live in this world while establishing a sustainable and harmonious relationship with nature. A biosphere reserve is an identified area for resource conservation and establishing a healthy relationship between man and the environment. They differ from the national park, a reserved area protected from industrialization, human exploitation, and pollution. It attempts to demonstrate how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs. The Man and the Biosphere Programme, launched in 1971, is UNESCO’s oldest intergovernmental programme, and it was celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021-22. In its 41st session of the General Conference (in 2021), UNSECO declared November 3 to be observed as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves. This year, it would be the first observation. It reminds us about the sustainable development approach to modern life and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves’ role in this regard. Biosphere reserves provide an excellent opportunity to bring a balance between the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. These also offer means for interactions between social and ecological systems. We live on a finite planet. Unbalanced economic growth, population growth and consumption increase have already impacted the health of mother earth. Healing the world requires accepting the reality that the economy cannot grow forever, and reducing the use of energy and materials is needed. It is time humanity returns to living in harmony with nature and dignity.
To improve our relationship with nature, we must first improve our understanding of how we affect the living world that sustains us – and vice versa. Every day, this quest plays out in 738 sites across 134 countries around the world: the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
Humanity has only one planet, and it is threatened. With each passing year, the urgency of tackling environmental issues becomes clearer. There is an immediate need to rethink finding sustainable ways to find solutions. Biosphere reserves have shown that it is possible to live in this world while establishing a sustainable and harmonious relationship with nature. A biosphere reserve is an identified area for resource conservation and establishing a healthy relationship between humans and the environment. National governments nominate the place to be brought under the Biosphere reserve and remain under their sovereign jurisdiction. They differ from the national park, a reserved area protected from industrialization, human exploitation, and pollution.
Biospheres promote sustainable development, conservation and learning. It attempts to demonstrate how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs. These include Drylands, Mangroves, Marine, Coastal and Island Areas, Mountains, Savannahs, Tropical forests, and Wetlands. These reserves provide an opportunity to balance economic and social development. Preserving the associated cultural values, along with the preservation of nature, is the goal.
“The Man and the Biosphere Programme, launched in 1971, is UNESCO’s oldest intergovernmental programme, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021 and 2022. November 3 is observed as the International Day for Biosphere Reserves, following the decision of the 41st session of the General Conference (in 2021), This year is its first observation and reminds us about the sustainable development approach to modern life, and the role played by the World Network of Biosphere Reserves can play in this regard.
The national governments can nominate the Biosphere reserves and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Currently, there are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries. 22 of them are transboundary sites. Most are in Europe and North America, followed by Asia and the Pacific. It spans over 68 lakhs square kilometres, and about 257 million people live. There are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India. The first biosphere reserve designated by UNESCO in 2000 is the blue mountains of the Nilgiris. The Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, is the largest reserve and Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam is the smallest Biosphere Reserve in India.
We live on a finite planet. Humanity is totally dependent on the biosphere, and it is degrading. Unbalanced economic growth, population growth and consumption increase have already impacted the health of mother earth. It is said that the global ecological footprint stands at 1.6 earths. Healing the world requires accepting the reality that the economy cannot grow forever, and reducing the use of energy and materials is needed. It is time humanity returns to living in harmony with nature and dignity. Biosphere reserves provide an excellent opportunity to bring a balance between the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. These also offer means for interactions between social and ecological systems.
Toon: Reema
Log: M Sai Baba
ToonLogs
