INTRODUCTION:

30th.Session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and

the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, consisting of 34 Member States are
meeting at Palembang, Indonesia from 23-28 July, 2018.
ICC apart from guiding and supervising the MAB Programme, reviews the
progress made in the implementation of the National MAB Programme. The
MAB ICC also decides upon new biosphere reserves and takes note of
recommendations on periodic review reports of biosphere reserves.
In this context, Director General, UNESCO vide Ref:
SC/EES/MAB/ICC/18/1450 dt.24.04.2018 invited Indian National MAB
Committee, Government of India for participation in the 30th.Session of
International Coordinating Council(ICC) as Observer and submit written
reports on the activities of Indian National MAB Committee.

India, with an area of 329 million hectares, is the seventh largest

country in the world. The diverse topography marked by mountainous
regions covering an area close to 100 million hectares, arid and semi-
arid zones spreading over 30 million hectares and long coast line of
over 7500 kms, coupled with varied precipitation provides a rich
landscape diversity. All these features and many more, have resulted
in diversity of habitats which harbour and sustain immense biological
diversity at all levels. With only 2.4% of world’s land area, India
accounts for 7-8% of recorded species of the world. The geographical
location of India between 8°4’ N and 37°6’N provides a wide
latitudinal spread and permits a vast range of variations in climatic
conditions. Broadly, India consists of: (i) Two ‘Realms’- the
Himalayan region represented by Palaearctic Realm and the rest of the
sub-continent by Malayan Realm;

(ii) Five Biomes-

(a) Tropical Humid Forests;

(b) Tropical Dry or Deciduous Forests;
(c) Warm Deserts and Semi-Deserts;
(d) Coniferous Forests, and
(e) Alpine meadows; and

(iii) Ten Bio-geographic Zones

(1-Trans Himalaya, 5.6%; 2-Himalaya, 6.4%; 3-Desert, 6.6%; 4-Semi-

arid, 16.6%; 5-Western Ghats, 4.0%; 6-Deccan Peninsula, 42%;
7-Gangetic Plains, 10.8%; 8-Coasts, 2.5%; 9-North East, 5.2%;
10-Islands, 0.3%) and Twenty eight Bio-geographic provinces.

1
 India has now 10 of the 18 biosphere reserves under the World Network
of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) of UNESCO as listed below:

BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA

NAME OF Biosphere Reserve DATE OF DESIGNATION

Domestic/ International

1) Nilgiri BR(5520sq.km) 01.08.1986(10/11/2000)

2) Nanda Devi(5860.69sq.km) 18.01.1988(29/10/2004)
3) Great Nicobar BR (885 sq.km) 06.01.1989(30/05/2013)
4) Gulf of Mannar BR(10500sq.km) 18.02.1989(10/11/2001)
5) Sundarban BR (9630sq.km) 29.03.1989(10/11/2001)
6) Similipal BR (4374sq.km) 21.06.1994(26/05/2009)
7) Nokrek BR(820sq.km) 01.09.1998(26/05/2009)
8) Pachmarhi BR (4981.72sq.km) 03.03.1999(26/05/2009)
9) Achanak Amarkantak(3835.51sq.km) 30.03.2005(11/07/2012)
10) Agashtiyamala BR (3500.36sq.km) 02.11.2001(19.03.2016)
11) Manas BR((2837sq.km) 14.03.1989
12) Dibru-Saikhowa BR (765sq.km) 28.07.1997
13) Dehang-Dibang BR(5111.5sq.km) 02.09.1998
14) Khangchendzonga BR(2931.12sq.km) 07.02.2000
15) Cold Desert BR(7770sq.km) 28.08.2009
16) Seshachalam BR(4755sq.km) 20.09.2011
17) Panna BR(2998sq.km) 25.08.2011
18) Kachchh BR(12454sq.km) 29.01.2008

Definition:
Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for
representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over
large area of terrestrial, coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination
thereof. BRs are designated to deal with one of the most important
questions of reconciling the conservation of biodiversity, the quest
for economic and social development and maintenance of associated
cultural values. BRs are thus special environments for both people and
the nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can
co-exist while respecting each others needs. These areas are
internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and
Biosphere (MAB) programme and the world’s major ecosystem types and
landscapes are represented in this network.

The Indian National Man and Biosphere (MAB) Committee constituted by

the Central Government reviews progress of the programme, advises the
Government and recommends potential sites for designation as Biosphere
Reserves as per UNESCO’s guidelines and criteria. The proposal for
establishment of Biosphere Reserves in India was considered by the
Committee of Secretaries in 1983 and the Committee recommended for
creation of a scheme on establishment and management of Biosphere
Reserves. Nilgiri was the first protected area to be designated as
Biosphere Reserve in 1986. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate
Change, Government of India and its MAB Committee in coordination with
UNESCO initiated the establishment of South and Central Asia
MAB(SACAM)Network in 2001 and the first SACAM meeting was held at
2
Dehradun, India from 22-25 February,2001. Since then SACAM has met 8
times. Last meeting was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 24-25 October,
2016. SACAM Network provides an institutional mechanism for South and
Central Asian countries to work together in MAB programme areas
particularly in the effective management of Biosphere Reserves and it
also promotes exchange of information concerning institutional and
administrative arrangements for the management of Biosphere Reserves.
It also facilitates inter-regional cooperation with similar networks
in other parts of Asia and in the World. List of Indian National MAB
Committee is at Annexure ‘B’.

Distribution of Indian BRs across Bio-geographic provinces

3
 ACTIVITIES BY INDIAN NATIONAL MAB COMMITTEE

A. National level:

i. National MAB Committee meets annually and the representatives from the
implementing authorities viz. State Governments, Non Government
organisations and other stakeholders actively participate in the
deliberations.
ii. Meeting cum workshop was held in Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve from 20-
21 February, 2017 to bring out the National Action Plan on the basis
of Lima Action Plan. Proceedings of this workshop brought out the
National Action Plan towards Agenda 2030 and are annexed at “A”.
iii. Last five years allocation of funds by the Federal Government for MAB
activities in the 18 BRs stood at US$460 million. Activities in the
Biosphere Reserves are taken up in the Core, Buffer and the transition
areas. Some of the activities implemented by the BRs are value
addition activities, sustainable use of threatened resources,
rehabilitation of landscapes of threatened species, ecosystems, socio-
economic upliftment of local communities, compensation, maintenance
and protection of corridor areas, development of communication system,
networking and development of eco-tourism.
iv. National MAB Committee in consultation with the state government shall
be submitting a new proposal “Thar Desert National Park” from
Rajasthan for its designation and inclusion in the World Network of
Biosphere Reserve. Indian National MAB committee is in the process of
preparing the proposal for inclusion of its 7 domestic Biosphere
Reserves in the WNBR.
v. India being the global host for this year’s World Environment Day with
the Theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, all 18 Biosphere Reserves have
been advised to declare the Biosphere Reserve as plastic free zone.

Most of the Core zones in the Biosphere Reserves are already plastic free and
to make all the three zones of the Biosphere Reserves plastic free- number of
workshops, meetings and brainstorming sessions are being organised.

vi. aspect of the Biosphere Reserve

Research and monitoring is an important
programme to understand changes taking place in these unique
ecosystems. Research and monitoring in existing Biosphere Reserves
and Potential sites is not only crucial but constitutes the very
basis of designing development strategies and solutions for
management of relevant problems. Some of the notable research
4
 projects in Biosphere Reserves have been completed by the lead
institutes and are as below:

1) Ecological Evaluation, Mapping and Conservation

Prioritization of Floristic Diversity of the Spiti Valley
in the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve by Dr.S.S.Samant,
GBNIHESD,

2) Biodiversity Monitoring Expedition of Nanda Devi

Biosphere Reserve by WII,

3) Identification of Critical Himalayan musk deer (Moschus

chrysogaster) and Black musk deer (Moschus fuscus)
habitat, population estimation and conservation in Sikkim
Himalaya”, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve,

4) Rapid Biodiversity Survey Report of Khangchendzonga

Biosphere Reserve by Forest Department, Sikkim

5) Littoral Faunal Diversity of Great Nicobar Biosphere

Reserve and

6) Faunal Diversity of Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve by

Zoological Survey of India

vii. Periodic Review as mandated by MAB, UNESCO has been carried out and
reports submitted to MAB UNESCO for Nilgiri(2013), Gulf of
Mannar(2013), Sundarban(2013) and Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserves(2016).

5
 B. State Level:
i. Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) and Self Help Groups(SHGs)

have been set up to reduce the dependency of the villagers on the
forest resources and river for livelihood.
JFMC and SHGs have played important role in bringing options of
alternative livelihood, knowledge and skill development to the
villagers thereby empowering the villagers socially, economically
and technologically.

Women participation in livelihood Duckery as alternative livelihood

activities

6
 Previous Present

10%
40%
Mud house
Mud house

Concrete
Concrete House
House
60%
90%

Percentage of Housing structure

30 % of female forest
30
25 goers
25
95
20
Previo 100
15
10 10 us
80
10 60

5 40 15
20
0
Forest Visit Food 0
Security Previous Present

Number of forest visits and food security in a month

Blood Honey Collection Lab Testing and Brand

Collection from Apiary Boxes Manual Honey Processing Unit

7
 Quality testing of the Honey from Sundarban BR

Nylon Net fencing to avoid Man-animal conflict

Royal Bengal Tiger Panthera tigris

Achievements:

 89 persons were trained on Pisciculture, animal husbandry, Food

processing etc. as alternative livelihood. People have already
started earning ₹40 to 60thousand.
8
  Honey collected from the BR is processed locally and sold as
produce of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.
 Net fencing with the support of e-patrolling (by mobile
application “Hejje”) in the core area of Sundarban Biosphere
Reserve has drastically minimised the human-Tiger conflict.

ii. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve- The first Biosphere reserve in

India established in the year 1986. It is located in the Western
Ghats and spreads across 2 of the 10 bio-geographical provinces of
India. A wide range of ecosystems and species diversity is found in
this region. The total area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is
5,520 sq. kms. and is located in the Western Ghats between 76°-
77°15‘E and 11°15‘ - 12°15‘N. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
encompasses parts of TamilNadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The annual
rainfall of the reserve ranges from 500 mm to 7000mm with
temperature ranging from 0°C during winter to 41°C during summer.

Initiatives/ Actions on SDG 17:

Ecotourism activity in lake Baralikadu Promotion of sports activity

 Eco-tourism initiative is successful with nearly 200 tribal both

men and women getting employed and remuneration.
 Annual revenue from eco-tourism stands at ₹12 million.

iii. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve –

The coastal areas along the Gulf of Mannar has more than 225 fishing
villages having population of about two lakh, 118 fish landing
centres, 3961 mechanized vessels, 12681 country crafts and 8586
catamarans and they depend on fishing for their livelihood. It is

9
necessary to provide alternate livelihood options to them, ensure
sustainable fishing so as to reduce their dependency on Gulf of Mannar
Biosphere Reserve.

Micro credits for livelihood

Table shows the improvement in Livelihood of the stakeholders

Sl. No. Housing Condition 2015 2005

1 Pucca 51.39% 13.48%
2 Semi Pucca 33.33% 43.96%
3 Kutcha 15.28% 44.23%
Source: Report by Institute of Sustainable Development, Chennai March 2017

Achievements:

 Vocational training imparted to 1902 persons as health assistant,

computer application, tailoring, driving, welding, basic
electrical and plumbing technology. Out of 1902, 707 persons got
suitable employments in India and abroad.
 3 person who underwent computer training is now employed as
Project officer in People’s Action for Development(PAD) an NGO.

10
 252 Village Marine Councils(VMC)/Eco Development Committees(EDC)
set up in coastal villages of two districts
 Micro credits provided to the members for alternate income
generation activities.
 Corpus fund of ₹80.8million has now grown to ₹120million.
 15 Self Help Groups (SHG) comprising 186 members have benefited
and the illegal hunting of marine animals completely stopped.

11
iv. Agasthiyarmalai Biosphere Reserve –

The Agasthyarmalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) is located in the

southernmost end of the Western Ghats with a towering Agasthiyar peak
of 1868MSL. ABR has been recognized as World Natural Heritage Site in
2012 and the Biosphere Reserve has been included in the World Network
of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.
Biogeographically Agasthyamalai is one of the important ‘Hot Spots’ in
the Western Ghats and is an epicentre of plant diversity and endemism.

Initiatives/ Actions on SDG 17 - Partnership to achieve goals:

Community & Officials interactions Creation of Carbon sinks

in a common platform

Achievements:

 57 participatory people’s institutions constituted in the

villages located within 5 km from the boundaries of Biosphere
Reserve.
 21,960 forest dependent Village Forest Committee members have
undertaken alternate income generation activities and this
measure has eliminated their dependency on fuel wood, fodder and
NTFP collection from the Biosphere Reserve.
 2281 forest dependents have been imparted with skill development
training for undertaking alternate income generation activities.
 Implementation of Eco development initiatives with active
participation of people. Improvement in education has seen 9019
students getting educational assistance.
 Awareness creation and community mobilization programmes
conducted in the fringe villages of the Biosphere Reserve by
Arumbugal Trust, a Tirunelveli based NGO.
 More than 100 biotic pressure trails on the eastern boundary of
the Biosphere Reserve got restored with indigenous vegetation.
 Grazing has been reduced totally.
12
v. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve –

The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve lies between latitude 22011' to 22050'

N and 77047' to 78052' E longitude in central part of India covering
parts of Hoshangabad, Chhindwara and Betul districts of Madhya
Pradesh.

Training to beneficiaries Agroforestry in Nissen village

Trekking during nature camp Students and teachers at nature camp

13
Smokeless chullah

Activities towards SDGs 3, 7 and 13

 Installation of smokeless chullha in 140 homes of Nishan village,

Chhindwara district
 Successful implementation of Agro-forestry thereby assuring a
sustainable source of income and fuel.

Vi. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve –

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in Sikkim state in the

north-eastern region of India, bordering Nepal in the West and China
(Tibet) in the north-west.

Total area of the Biosphere Reserve is 2619.92 Km2, which includes

1784 Km2 of Khangchendzonga National Park forming the core zone 835.92
Km2 around the Park forming the buffer zone, and 311.20 Km2 of
Transition Zone
KBR comprises of unique geomorphic features of high mountains and
peaks, glaciers and lakes. Khangchendzonga BR comprises of glaciers,
mountains and lakes and is endowed with one of the highest eco-systems
in the world.

14
 Organic farming Distribution of LPG

Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in KBR

Actions towards SDGs

 Supporting and encouraging alternative employment through

ecotourism, organic farming, piggery etc.
 Substituting firewood use by LPG, low fuel consuming cooking
devices, encouraging solar light etc
 Organizing health camps, cattle immunization programmes etc.
 Discouraging open defecation and encouraging personal hygiene by
building toilets, providing safe drinking water through provision
of water tanks etc
 Encouraging income generating activities by sanctioning loan and
training the stakeholders, so as to lessen the dependency on
forest and also to have a decent income to sustain their
livelihood
 Afforestation programmes to reforest and to improve the quality
of degraded forest
 Habitat management programmes to reduce the pressure on habitat
 Garbage management system to lessen the garbage in the high
altitude areas
15
Garbage bins Promoting alternative livelihood

Free medical camp

Public conveniences in the KBR

16
vii. Similipal Biosphere Reserve –

Similipal is the largest contiguous Sal forest in India covering an

area of 5569 square kilometers. More than 1200 villages comprising
of various ethnic tribal groups depend on Similipal hills for their
socio-economic and cultural needs. The reserve management has
identified various alternate livelihood opportunities like organic
farming, horticulture, apiculture, pisci-culture and animal husbandry
to support the sustenance of the tribal groups and conserve the local
biodiversity.

Similipal is known for its population of the rare melanistic Tiger

Achievements:

 During the year 2017-18 450 persons have been provided with LPG
and solar lights in their houses.
 Alternative livelihoods has benefited more than 900 persons and
this include Pisciculture, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry etc.
 More than 500 people participated in the awareness campaign
organised by the authorities.

17
Eco tourism orientation training in Similipal Biosphere Reserve

Awareness campaign in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve

viii. Nokrek Biosphere Reserve-

Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (NBR) is the second smallest of 18 BRs in

India, which got its status in 1988 from the Government of India and
included in UNESCO Man and Biosphere World Network on 26th May, 2009.
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve is located in the North-Western part of
Meghalaya comprises of parts of East, West and South Garo Hill
districts and lies between 90°13’ to 90°35’ E Longitude and 25°20’ to
25°29’ N Latitude.

18
 Pristine forests of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve

Hoolock gibbon(Hoolock hoolock) in Nokrek Biosphere Reserve

19
 Shifting cultivation

Promoting & enhancing the Tribal performing Wangala dance

socio-economic status of
the local people

Achievements:

 Area of shifting cultivation in Nokrek BR has decreased, whereas

the horticulture output has gone up.
 Solar lamp supply to 250 Houses and provision of improved
chullahs to 110 families.
 Empowering education with the supply of desks and benches to 75
schools

20
CONCLUSION

Keeping in mind the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the
SDGs – the Biosphere Reserve programme of India emphasizes its
commitment for the implementation of Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme
toward achieving the long term conservation and sustainable
development goals enshrined within the concept of Biosphere Reserves
(BRs). A step towards implementing Lima Action Plan(LAP) – National
Action Plan have been prepared and is under implementation - the
strategy includes the WNBR as models for sustainable development
thereby increasing the number of WNBR from 10 to 18, effective
engagement of wide variety of stakeholders, enhanced synergies between
Biosphere Reserves and this includes the data sharing and good
communication strategy. Creation of Trans Boundary Reserve (TBR) of
Biosphere Reserves and adequate resources for the MAB programme and
WNBR shall further pave the way for SDGs.

********

21
 Annexure A

NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

FOR
INDIAN BIOSPHERE RESERVES (INCLUDING THOSE UNDER THE WNBR)
BASED ON LIMA ACTION PLAN

Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range

Performance
indicators
Strategic Action Area A. Indian Biosphere Reserves including those under the WNBR consisting of effectively
functioning models for sustainable development.

A1. Biosphere A1.1 BRs annual BRs have National MAB 2017-2025 Number of BRs with
Reserves (BRs) action plans aligned their Committee, specific actions to
recognized as aligned to the action plans to BRs, Lead achieve SDGs and
models contributing achievement of the Institutes CBD goals and
to the SDGs and CBD achievement targets
implementation of (Convention on of SDGs and
Sustainable Biodiversity) CBD
Development Goals
(SDGs) and
Multilateral
Environmental
Agreements (MEAs)
A1.2 The BRs have National MAB By the end Number of BRs with
alliances with established Committee, of 2018 alliances for
multi alliances with BRs, Local conservation and
stakeholders multi authorities development
and relevant stakeholders
agencies at and agencies
local, national and have
and addressed
international issues related
levels to the benefits
established. of
The rights of communities
indigenous including
people and indigenous
benefits to local people’s rights
communities
addressed.
A1.3 Long term BRs used as National MAB By the end Number of climate
monitoring sites priority sites committee, of 2020 change-related
for research on and BRs, Lead projects
climate change observatories Agencies implemented in BRs,
identified and for ecosystem- number of national
established based climate climate change
within BRs. change action strategies
22
Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range Performance
indicators
acknowledging the
role of BRs
A1.4 BRs adopt Green MoEFCC, BRs, 2017-2025 Number of green
green economic economic Community economic initiatives
initiative/green initiatives groups and undertaken and
enterprises promoting Business promoted in BRs
sustainable sector
development
implemented
in BRs
A1.5 Long term Socio- Lead agencies, 2017-2025 Number of
conservation of ecological BRs conservation
socio-ecological systems in BRs initiatives for socio-
systems within conserved and ecological systems
various BRs maintained are in place.
promoted.
A2. Open and A2.1 Open and BR nomination National MAB 2017-2025 Number of national
participatory participatory and review Committee, guidelines and/or
selection, planning mechanism processes are national and policies for the
and implementation ensured for produced and state process leading to
of BRs selecting, implemented governments, nomination of BRs;
designing, through BRs, all number of BRs with
planning and participatory concerned open and
nominating BRs, approaches, stakeholders participatory
taking into considering periodic review
account local local and processes
and indigenous indigenous
practices, practices,
traditions and traditions and
cultures, and cultures, and
based on sound based on
science. It will sound science
be applied to
the periodic
review of BRs.

A2.2 Effective BRs will Individual BRs, 2017-2025 Number of BRs with
communication develop National MAB communication
plans and communicatio committee, plans
strategies will n plans and MoEFCC
be developed mechanisms to
and ensure
implemented in communicatio
all the BRs. n between
their managers
and both
stakeholders
and MAB
23
Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range Performance
indicators
networks
A3. Integration of A3.1 BRs related BRs integrated Concerned 2017-2025 Number of
BRs into relevant provisions into national Government references to BRs in
legislation, policies included into and regional agencies, policies and/or
and/or programmes relevant development, National MAB programmes
complemented by national and territorial Committee/BR
support for the state planning, s
functioning of BRs legislations and environment
policies and other
sectoral
legislation,
policies and/or
programmes
A3.2 Effective Financial and MoEFCC, 2017-2025 Number of BRs with
governance and human National MAB adequate annual
management resources Committee/BR budgets and staff
structures provided to s
supported in the BR
each BR as per managers and
relevant lead institutes
national and
international
guidelines and
statutes

A4. Research, A4.1 Partnerships National MAB By the end Number of

practical learning Partnerships established, Committee, of 2020 partnerships with
and training with maintained, BRs, partner academic/research/t
opportunities that academic/resea and universities, raining institutions
support the rch/ training reinforced. research Creation of a
management of BRs institutions will Setting up of a institutions, UNESCO Chair on BR
and sustainable be established. UNESCO Chair. etc.
development in BRs UNESCO Chair
on Biosphere
Reserve will be
set up in an
identified
research
organization/
university.
A4.2 Good Good practices National MAB 2017-2025 Number of good
practices for identified Committee, practices identified
sustainable through BRs, lead and shared
development research and institutes
will be identified shared to
and shared with other BRs
all the BRs.

24
Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range Performance
indicators
A4.3 Research Collaborative National MAB 2017-2025 Number of research
proposals will research Committee, proposals developed
be developed by projects Lead and integrated in BR
the lead undertaken. institutes, BRs management plans
institutes in Results of
collaboration research
with BR integrated in
managers who management
will integrate it plans
in management
plans.
A5. Financial A5.1 Effective With common National MAB By 2018 Number of BRs with
sustainability of BRs business plan consensus of committee, business plan and
for each BR will partner BRs sustained funding
be developed organizations
and and MAB
implemented to committee, BR
generate business plan
financial developed and
resources implemented
A6. The effective A6.1 An Periodic National MAB 2017-2025 Number of BRs that
functioning of the effective review process committee, comply with
WNBR, with all BRs periodic review implemented BRs Statutory
complying with its process as in line with the Framework on the
Statutory defined in the Statutory basis of periodic
Framework Statutory Framework. review reports
Framework and Adaptive submitted on time.
adaptive management Number of BRs that
management processes apply adaptive
processes will applied by BRs management
be implemented principles, as
evidenced by
periodic review
reports
A7. BRs recognized A 7.1 Ecosystem National MAB 2017-2025 Quality and quantity
as sources and Assessment of services are committee, of ecosystem
stewards of ecosystem assessed and BRs services provided by
ecosystem services services for actions to BRs, as indicated in
each BR should facilitate their periodic reviews
be made on provision is
priority and implemented
their provision
should be
encouraged
A 7.2 Guidelines Guidelines for National MAB 2017-2025 Number of BRs with
for the payment Payment of committee, payment of
of Ecosystem ecosystems BRs ecosystem services
services, will be services mechanisms
developed in developed established
25
Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range Performance
indicators
consultation
with the
stakeholders
A 7.3 Both in Ex situ and in State Govt, 2017-2025 Number of
situ and ex situ situ National MAB initiatives per BR
conservation of conservation committee, & targeted to improve
economically initiatives BRs, in the status of species
and culturally implemented collaboration of economic and/or
important in BRs with lead cultural value
species will be institutes
implemented in
respective BRs

Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range

Performance
indicators
Strategic Action Area B. Inclusive, dynamic and result oriented collaboration and networking within the
MAB Programme and the World Network of Biosphere Reserve.
B1. Effective BR B1.1 Capacity Capacity MAB 2017-2025 Number of
managers/coordin building of front building Secretariat, programmes
ators and engaged line staff to programmes National MAB established, number
stakeholders of senior BR/Lead held through committee, of events and
BRs Institutes/Stake training and UNESCO New participants
holders officials workshops Delhi,
through Universities
training/worksh
op which can
help in R&D
activities and
exposure in
research.
B1.2Regional, Training MAB Sect, 2017-2025 Number of training
issue specific conducted in National MAB programmes
Training in local regional/local committee, adapted to regional
language. language and Universities and local
adapted to specificities
local context
B3. An active and B3.1 Building a A list of National MAB By the end Number of contacts
open Network of relevant Committee, of 2017 established between
transdisciplinary scientists and research Lead research institutes
network of practitioners to institutions Institutes, and BR managers
scientists/knowled support working in and scientists/
ge holders sharing MAB/biosphere with BRs will knowledge
MAB vision and reserves be established holders
mission by the MAB
national
committee
and shared

26
Outcome Actions Outputs Responsibility Time Range Performance
indicators
with
concerned BRs
managers
B3.2 Joint Joint research National MAB By the end Quality and content
research and and committee, of 2019 of the joint research
knowledge knowledge BRs, Lead agenda and of
exchange exchange Institutes & developed
programmes agenda Scientists webpages
developed,
webpage
made for each
BR

Outcome Action Outputs Responsibility Time range Performance

indicator
Strategic Action Area C. Effective external partnership and sufficient and sustainable funding for the MAB
Programme and the World Network of Biosphere reserves.

C1. Adequate C1.1 Public- Public-private National MAB By the end of Resources
resources for the private partnership will committee, 2018 generated by the
MAB programme partnerships be introduced BRs PPP
and the WNBR introduced for to develop
exploring the business and
possibilities of marketing of
business and products
marketing of
NTFP & other
crops and
products.
C2. Recognition C2.1 Partnership Strengthened MAB 2017-2025 Number of
of the MAB with UNESCO partnership with Secretariat, collaborations
Programme as a and other UNESCO and National MAB and partnerships
key partner relevant other relevant committee, developed
within UNESCO international international BRs
and with other agencies organizations
international conventions
organizations and
relevant
conventions
C3. BRs and C3.1 Revenue Policies and MAB 2017-2025 Number of
regional generating capacity Secretariat, livelihood
networks policies and building National MAB generation
generating their capacity programmes, committee, policies and
own revenues building particularly BRs, NGOs capacity building
programme those aiming to programmes
introduced develop implemented.
through branding of BR Number of BR
branding of BR products which have
27
Outcome Action Outputs Responsibility Time range Performance
indicator
products. developed
branding of their
products
C4. Recognition C4.1 Partnership Meaningful MAB Before MAB Number of
of the MAB with the private partnership to Secretariat, ICC in 2018 partnerships
Programme as a sector support National MAB established
key partner by developed conservation Committee between BRs and
private sector and livelihood and other the private sector
developed stakeholders
C5. Recognition C5.1 Project Project National and 2017-2025 Number of
that the MAB proposals proposals sub national proposals and
Programme submitted to prepared authorities and projects
contributes to different targeting lead institutes, submitted/funde
the delivery of national and national and National MAB d by relevant
the objectives of regional funding subnational committee, government
national, regional programs, funding UNESCO, New agencies
funding programs depending on agencies in line Delhi and BRs
their objectives with shared
and areas of objectives
interest
C6. C6.1 Entrepreneurs National MAB 2017-2025 Number of
Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs identified and committee, businesses and
and social and social incentives BRs, National enterprises
enterprises enterprises provided for Commission involved with BRs
contribute to BR identified and stakeholders’ for UNESCO,
activities incentives involvement in MAB
provided for the BRs Secretariat,
involvement in business
BRs. Eco sector,
tourism, guides, entrepreneurs,
micro-finance, social
handicraft items enterprises
from bamboo
etc.

C7. Recognition C7.1 Potential Particularly National MAB 2017-2025 Number of sites
of BRs nationally sites identified ecologically committee, nominated and
and in terms of rich sensitive and BRs, MAB recognized as BRs
internationally biodiversity, biodiversity rich Secretariat, Number of
cultural sites identified lead institutes, products and
heritage, and recognized business services that
sensitive eco in national and sector carry the BR
zones etc. and international brand
nominated in MAB network.
national and Branding for BR
international products
MAB network. developed
Specific
28
Outcome Action Outputs Responsibility Time range Performance
indicator
products
identified and
branded within
the national
guidelines.
C8. Enhanced C8.1 Products Joint National 2017-2025 Number of joint
synergies that can be committees/ authorities, committees/
between BRs harvested autonomous BRs, business autonomous
sustainably councils will be sector councils
identified. Joint constituted, in constituted
committee/auto order to share
nomous council information on
including stake the availability
holders of goods and
constituted to services in BRs
enhance the
synergies

Outcome Action Outputs Responsibility Time range

Performance
indicator
Strategic Action Area D. Comprehensive, modern, open, and transparent communication, information and
data sharing

D1. Full D1.1 Awareness MAB/BR MAB By the end of Number of

availability of programmes on documents, Secretariat, 2017 programmes
MAB documents, open access data and Networks, related to
data, information policy for information National MAB information
and other MAB/BR made fully committee, organized
material documents, accessible to BRs
data and relevant
information stakeholders,
implemented. especially in the
BRs’ and
MoEFCC
websites
D2. Increased D2.1 Develop Communication MAB 2017-2025 Communication
awareness of all and implement strategy and Secretariat, strategy and
aspects of the communication action plan for National MAB action plan
MAB Programme strategy and MAB/ BRs committee, approved and
action plan for developed and BRs, lead endorsed by MAB
MAB/ BRs implemented agencies ICC
D3. Broader D3.1 Use of all Media including National MAB 2017-2025 Number of
engagement and forms of media social media committee, stakeholders
outreach and and websites BRs using media
communication utilized
channels

29
Outcome Action Outputs Responsibility Time range Performance
indicator
Strategic Action Area E. Effective governance of and within the MAB Programme and the World Network of
Biosphere Reserves

E1. Strong E1.1 Indian National MAB 2017-2025 Number of

support for the Representation representatives Committee members
implementation of National MAB participated in present at
of the MAB committee/BRs ICC sessions each ICC
Programme from at each MAB ICC
the governments session
of Member
States
E1.2 Provide National MAB National and 2017-2025 Percentage
institutional committee and subnational of funding to
support and national BR authorities MAB and BRs
resources to network provided increased
ensure that the with resources
national MAB ensuring their
committee and functioning
national BR
network can
carry out their
mission
E2. MAB National E2.1 Inclusion of The MAB national National and 2017-2025 Number of
Committees have various committee subnational sectors,
a trans- organizations includes a wide authorities, agencies and
disciplinary representing range of National MAB disciplines
membership agriculture, organizations and committee within the
forestry, has a trans- MAB
fisheries, animal disciplinary committee
husbandry, membership
Horticulture
,Socio-Economy
and
communities in
the national
monitoring
committee
E3. Regular E3.1 Submit a Biennial reports National and 2017-2025 Number of
progress updates biennial report submitted to the subnational reports
by Member to the ICC ICC using a authorities, submitted to
States and covering template based National MAB the MAB
monitoring of the progress made on performance committee Secretariat
Action Plan in the national indicators
BR network provided by the
MAB Secretariat
E4. Effective E4.1 Develop a Plans developed National and 2017-2025 Number of
functioning of plan with for each subnational networks
regional and objectives, regional/thematic authorities, with
thematic performance network and National MAB adequate
30
Outcome Action Outputs Responsibility Time range Performance
indicator
networks assessment annual committee, plans and
mechanisms performance regional/ performance
and timeframe reports submitted thematic reports
for each networks, BRs submitted
regional and
thematic
network and
submit annual
reports on their
performances

31
32
33
 ACRONYMS

BR Biosphere Reserve
WNBR World Network of Biosphere Reserve
34
 NAP National Action Plan
MAB Man and Biosphere Programme
LAP Lima Action Plan
ICC International Coordinating Council
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SACAM South and Central Asia MAB Network
MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreements
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
MAP Management Action Plan
JFMC Joint Forest Management Cell
SHG Self Help Group

35