Table of Contents
A Biosphere Reserve is an area where local people work for biodiversity and its sustainable development and conservation. The biosphere reserve was designated by the Man and Biosphere (MAB) program of UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1971.
Which are internationally recognized by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.
- The Biosphere Reserves are identified by the Man and Biosphere Reserve Program to promote sustainable development.
- This program was initiated by UNESCO in 1971.
- India started the creation of biosphere reserves in 1986 under the National Biosphere Reserve Programme
- There are a total of 18 biosphere reserves in India, out of which 12 biosphere reserves have been included in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserves program.
- The first Biosphere Reserve in India is the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that is a part of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.It was established in 1986.
- The largest Biosphere reserve in India is the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat.
- Smallest Biosphere Reserve in India is Dibru-Saikhowa in Assam.
- The Odisha government has proposed a second biosphere reserve in the southern part of the state at Mahendragiri, a hill ecosystem having rich biodiversity
Biosphere reserve under man and biosphere reserve programme of UNESCO
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – 2000
- Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve – 2001
- Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve – 2001
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve – 2004
- Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve – 2009
- Nokrek Biosphere Reserve – 2009
- Simlipal Biosphere Reserve – 2009
- Achanakmar-Amarkantak B. R.-2012
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve – 2013
- Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve – 2016
- Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve – 2018
- Pana Biosphere Reserve – 2020
MCQs On Biosphere Reserves in India
Q1. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is not located in which state?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Karnataka
d) Andhra Pradesh
Option 😀
- Part of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley, and Siruvani hills (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka).It was established in 1986. UNESCO designated a biosphere reserve 2000.
- River- Bhavani , mayor, Kabini River (tributary – Kaveri river ), chaliya and punampuzha Etc.
Q2. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Uttarakhand
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Rajasthan
d) Himachal Pradesh
Option : A
UNESCO designated it a biosphere reserve in 2004.
Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts (Uttarakhand).
It was established in 1988.
River- Rishi Ganga
Protected Area’s – Nanda devi national park & valley of flower N. P.
Q3. In which state is Nokrek Biosphere Reserve located?
a) Meghalaya
b) Assam
c) Arunachal Pradesh
d) Sikkim
Option : A
Part of Garo Hills (Meghalaya). It was established in 1988.UNESCO designated it a biosphere reserve in 2009.
Q4. In which state/UT is the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve located?
a) Meghalaya
b) Andaman And Nicobar
c) Arunachal Pradesh
d) Sikkim
Option :B
Southernmost islands of Andaman And Nicobar (A&N Islands).It was
established in 1989.UNESCO designated it a biosphere reserve in 2013.
Q5. In which state is the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve located?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Karnataka
d) Andhra Pradesh
Option :A
Protected Area- Gulf of Mannar marrine National park.
The first Marine Biosphere in India.
The Indian part of the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka (Tamil Nadu). It was established in 1989.
Q6. In which state is the Manas Biosphere Reserve located?
a) Assam
b) Meghalaya
c) Manipur
d) Tripura
Option : A
Fauna – water Buffalo & golden Langur.
Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Kamprup, and Darang districts (Assam).
It was established in 1989.
River-Manas beki River.
Q7. In which state is the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve located?
a) Assam
b) Meghalaya
c) West Bengal
d) Tripura
Option :C
It was established in 1989.UNESCO designated it a biosphere reserve year 2001.
World Natural Heritage site (largest mangrove Area).
Location – Part of the delta of Ganges and Brahmaputra river system.(West Bengal).
Q8. Simlipal Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Assam
b) Meghalaya
c) West Bengal
d) Odisha
Option 😀
Fauna :- Bengal Tiger Asian elephant, and chausingha.
Part of the Mayurbhanj district (Odisha). It was established in 1994.
Protected Area Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, Simlipal T. R, Hadghar W. S. & Kuldiha W. S.
Part of the UNESCO World network of Biosphere since 2009.
Q9. Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Assam
b) Meghalaya
c) West Bengal
d) Odisha
Option :A
Fauna:- Capped langur and water buffalo
Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Districts (Assam). It was established in 1997.
River :- Brahmaputra river, Lohit river, Dibru river.
This is smallest Biosphere Reserve of India.
Q10. Dehang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Meghalaya
b) Andaman And Nicobar
c) Arunacha Pradesh
d) Sikkim
Option :C
Fauna :- Musk deer, & Red Panda
Part of Siang and Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
It was Established in 1998.
Protected area – mouling National Park & dibang wildlife sanctuary.
Q11. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Meghalaya
b) Andaman And Nicobar
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Sikkim
Option :C
- Parts of Betul, Hoshangabad, and Chindwara districts of Madhya
Pradesh. it was established in 1999. - Protected area – bori sanctuary, Pachmarhi Sanctuary, Satpura
National Park. - UNESCO designated it a biosphere reserve in 2009.
Q12. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Sikkim
b) Uttarakhand
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) West Bengal
Option :A
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve was included in man and biosphere reverse program in 2018.
Parts of Khangchendzonga hills and Sikkim. Khangchendzonga National Park was designated a World Heritage Site in 2016 under the ‘mixed’ category (Mixed heritage sites of both natural and cultural).
Q13. Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Meghalaya
b) Andaman And Nicobar
c) Arunacha Pradesh
d) Kerala
Option 😀
Protected Area:- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara W. S. , Neyyar W.S, and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.In 2016, it was included in
UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve Program.
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve in India established in 2001, located in the southernmost end of the Western Ghats and includes Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Q14. Achanakamar –Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Meghalaya
b) Andaman And Nicobar
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Sikkim
Option :C
In 2012 it was included in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve Program.
Covers parts of Anupur and Dindori districts of MP. and parts of Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh State.
It was established in 2005.
Q15. Gulf of Kuch Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Gujarat
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Rajasthan
d) Kerala
Option :A
Fauna- indian wild Ass.
Part of Kuchchh, Rajkot, Surendra Nagar, and Patan Civil Districts of Gujarat State.
It was established in 2008
The largest Biosphere reserve in India is the Gulf of Kuch,
Gujarat.
Q16. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Gujarat
b) Himachal Pradesh
c) Rajasthan
d) Kerala
Option :B
Fauna- Snow leopard
Pin Valley National Park and Chandratal and Sarchu W.S & Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh.
It was established in 2009.
Q17. Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Himachal Pradesh
c) Rajasthan
d) Kerala
Option :A
Seshachalam Hill Ranges covering parts of Chittoor and Kadapa districts of Andhra Pradesh.
It was established in 2010.
Q18. Panna Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Rajasthan
d) Kerala
Option :B
2020: UNESCO included it in the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB).
Established in 1981, PBR is located in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Protected area Panna national park and Ken ghadiyal wildlife sanctuary.
River – ken river ( tributary of Yamuna river)
Ken-Betwa river interlinking project wil be located in it.
Q19. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Uttarakhand
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Sikkim
d) Himachal Pradesh
Option: c) Sikkim
Q20. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in which year?
a) 1986
b) 1989
c) 2000
d) 2001
Option: c) 2000
Q21. Which of the following Biosphere Reserves is the smallest in India?
a) Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
b) Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve
c) Simlipal Biosphere Reserve
d) Panna Biosphere Reserve
Option: b) Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve
Q22. The first Marine Biosphere Reserve in India is located in which state?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Kerala
c) Gujarat
d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Option: a) Tamil Nadu
Q23. Which state is home to the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve?
a) Madhya Pradesh
b) Maharashtra
c) Rajasthan
d) Uttarakhand
Option: a) Madhya Pradesh
Q24. Which state does NOT have a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme?
a) Himachal Pradesh
b) Chhattisgarh
c) Odisha
d) Bihar
Option: d) Bihar
Q25. The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve is located in which part of India?
a) Eastern India
b) Northern India
c) Southernmost part of India
d) Western India
Option: c) Southernmost part of India
Q26. The river ‘Rishi Ganga’ flows through which Biosphere Reserve?
a) Sunderbans
b) Nanda Devi
c) Pachmarhi
d) Simlipal
Option: b) Nanda Devi
Q27. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is situated between India and which neighboring country?
a) Sri Lanka
b) Bangladesh
c) Myanmar
d) Maldives
Option: a) Sri Lanka
Q28. Which of the following Biosphere Reserves was included in the UNESCO MAB programme in 2009?
a) Nanda Devi
b) Pachmarhi
c) Khangchendzonga
d) Simlipal
Option: b) Pachmarhi
Q29. The Simlipal Biosphere Reserve is famous for which of the following animal species?
a) Bengal Tiger
b) Red Panda
c) Water Buffalo
d) Indian Wild Ass
Option: a) Bengal Tiger
Q30. The Gulf of Kachchh Biosphere Reserve is located in which state?
a) Gujarat
b) Maharashtra
c) Rajasthan
d) Kerala
Option: a) Gujarat
Q31. Which of the following Biosphere Reserves is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites under mixed heritage category?
a) Khangchendzonga
b) Great Nicobar
c) Simlipal
d) Nanda Devi
Option: a) Khangchendzonga
Q32. The Biosphere Reserve in which state is known for its snow leopards?
a) Sikkim
b) Himachal Pradesh
c) Arunachal Pradesh
d) Jammu and Kashmir
Option: b) Himachal Pradesh
Q33. The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is located in which state of India?
a) Uttarakhand
b) Sikkim
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Arunachal Pradesh
Option: b) Sikkim
Q34. The Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve is recognized for its biodiversity and is located in which river delta?
a) Godavari
b) Narmada
c) Ganges
d) Krishna
Option: c) Ganges
Q35. Which of the following states has a proposed biosphere reserve at Mahendragiri?
a) Kerala
b) Tamil Nadu
c) Odisha
d) Andhra Pradesh
Option: c) Odisha
These 35 MCQs should offer a comprehensive understanding of the topic of Biosphere Reserves in India and the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme!
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