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Himachal cold desert enters UNESCO biosphere reserve list

Spread in the Trans-Himalayan region, the reserve encompasses the entire Spiti Wildlife Division and adjoining areas of the Lahaul Forest Division, including Baralacha Pass, Bharatpur, and Sarchu with altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 m.

Himachal cold desert, UNESCO biosphere reserve list, Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,Himachal cold desert enters UNESCO biosphere reserve list, Indian express news, current affairs

The 7,770-sq km area is spread across Lahaul-Spiti district. Its wildlife includes the snow leopard as the flagship species

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) in Himachal Pradesh, along with 25 other biosphere reserves across several countries, has been included in World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) by the UNESCO, a global recognition that places the 7,770-sq km area spread across the state’s Lahaul-Spiti district on the international conservation map. With this addition, India now has 13 biospheres listed in WNBR.

“UNESCO designates 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries — the highest number in 20 years. The WNBR now includes 785 sites in 142 countries, with an additional one million sq km of natural areas brought under protection since 2018 — equivalent to the size of Bolivia,” UNESCO said in a statement.

The decision to include India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in the WNBR was taken at the 37th session of UNSECO’s International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) held in Paris Saturday, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X.

Spread in the Trans-Himalayan region, the reserve encompasses the entire Spiti Wildlife Division and adjoining areas of the Lahaul Forest Division, including Baralacha Pass, Bharatpur, and Sarchu with altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 m. It integrates Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and the Sarchu plains, encompassing windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high-altitude desert making it one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in WNBR.

The Cold Desert is zoned into three parts — core (2,665 sq km), buffer (3,977 sq km), and transition (1,128 sq km) — balancing conservation, sustainable use, and community participation. Ecologically, it harbours 655 herbs, 41 shrubs, and 17 tree species, including 14 endemics and 47 medicinal plants crucial to the Sowa Rigpa/Amchi system. Its wildlife includes 17 mammal and 119 bird species, with the snow leopard as the flagship species, supported by a robust prey base of more than 800 blue sheep in Spiti valley. The fauna also includes Himalayan ibex and Himalayan wolf.

Around 12,000 inhabitants live in scattered villages, practising traditional pastoralism, yak and goat herding, barley and pea farming, and Tibetan herbal medicine, knowledge sustained through Buddhist monastic traditions and community councils that regulate the use of fragile alpine resources, as per a statement by UNECCO. “As India’s first high- altitude cold desert biosphere reserve, it highlights the urgent need to safeguard mountain ecosystems facing tourism pressures and climate change,” it added.

Welcoming the development, Amitabh Gautam, PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Himachal Pradesh, said the designation would boost international research collaborations, promote responsible eco-tourism, and strengthen climate resilience efforts in the Himalayas. “The recognition has firmly placed Himachal’s cold desert on the global conservation map,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Union Minister Yadav said, “India now proudly has 13 biospheres listed in WNBR, which reflects India’s commitment towards biodiversity conservation and community-led sustainable development”.

He said India continues to make dedicated efforts towards preserving, protecting and restoring the ecosystem. The development comes soon after two Ramsar sites in India were added to the UNESCO list, increasing the total number of Ramsar sites to 93, Yadav added.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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