India's Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve joins UNESCO World Network

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been inducted into the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The announcement was made at the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China, underscoring the region’s value as a model for sustainable development. Spanning about 7,770 square kilometers in India’s Western Himalayas, the high-altitude reserve is known for its rugged terrain, alpine meadows, and rare wildlife including the snow leopard and Himalayan ibex. First designated a national biosphere reserve in 2009, the Cold Desert has now become India’s 13th site in the global network. It includes protected areas like Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. It harbors 732 species of vascular plants, including 30 endemics and 157 near-endemics of the Indian Himalayas, as well as iconic fauna.

The trans-Himalayan region is home also to around 12,000 inhabitants who live in scattered villages, practicing 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.

“The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is a powerful example of how fragile ecosystems can be protected while supporting the communities that depend on them. This designation reflects India’s commitment to balancing conservation with sustainable development, especially in ecologically sensitive and culturally rich regions. UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, under the Man and the Biosphere Programme, is a cornerstone of our efforts to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development. These sites are not just protected areas, they are places where we actively learn to reconcile with nature, fostering harmony between people and planet through science, culture, and community-led stewardship.” said Tim Curtis, Director & Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia.