Himachal Pradesh’s cold desert biosphere reserve becomes India’s 13th UNESCO-listed site

India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in the western Himalayas has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), becoming the 13th biosphere site from India.

The reserve covers 7,770 square kilometers of terrain spanning high-altitude arid deserts, glacier valleys, and windswept plateaus. Altitudes range from about 3,300 to 6,600 meters.

Included within its boundaries are protected areas such as Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal, and Sarchu.

This recognition took place during the Fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves (WCBR) held in Hangzhou, China, where UNESCO approved 26 new global biosphere sites.

The Cold Desert Reserve is India’s first high-altitude cold desert ecosystem to be included in the UNESCO network. The region’s environment is characterized by extreme cold, scant rainfall due to the rain shadow effect of the Himalayas, rugged landscapes, and species adapted to such harsh conditions.

Flora and fauna in this reserve include numerous alpine plants and herbs — some with medicinal value — as well as animals such as the snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, and species of wolf and red fox.

Local communities living in and around the reserve rely on agro-pastoralism and traditional practices adapted to high altitude conditions.

Conservation bodies emphasize that UNESCO recognition will help support sustainable development in fragile ecosystems while maintaining the livelihoods of residents.

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve joins a list of other Indian reserves in UNESCO’s network, reinforcing the government’s focus on preserving ecological diversity and vulnerable ecosystems. India now has 13 biosphere reserves in the World Network.