Shimla, September 27, 2025
The Wildlife Wing of Himachal Pradesh is pleased to announce the inclusion of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) in UNESCO’s prestigious Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Network. The recognition was formally conferred on 27 September 2025 during the 37th International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) meeting at Hangzhou, China, which is being held from 26–28 September 2025.
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is located in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh, covering the entire Spiti Wildlife Division (7,591 km²) and adjoining areas of Baralacha Pass, Bharatpur, and Sarchu in the Lahaul Forest Division (179 km²).
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve covers a total geographical area of 7,770 km². Situated at an altitude ranging between 3,300 and 6,600 metres, the reserve falls within the 1A Trans-Himalaya biogeographic province of the Indian Himalaya. The area is zoned into three parts: a core zone of 2,665 km², a buffer zone of 3,977 km², and a transition zone of 1,128 km², ensuring a balanced approach to conservation, sustainable use, and community participation.
It integrates Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and Sarchu plains, representing a unique Cold Desert ecosystem shaped by topography, extreme climate, and poor soils.
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is ecologically rich, harbouring at least 655 herbs, 41 shrubs, and 17 tree species, including 14 endemics and 47 medicinal plants central to the Sowa Rigpa/Amchi system. It sustains at least 17 mammals and 119 birds, with the Snow Leopard as a flagship species alongside Tibetan wolf, red fox, ibex, blue sheep among others. Over 800 blue sheep in Spiti valley provide a strong prey base for large carnivores.
Shri Amitabh Gautam, IFS, PCCF (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden of Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, stated that the recognition of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in UNESCO’s MAB Network has firmly placed Himachal’s cold deserts on the global conservation map. He emphasized that the designation will boost international research collaboration, while also creating opportunities for responsible eco-tourism that support local livelihoods. Above all, he stated, it will strengthen India’s efforts to build climate resilience in the ecosystems and communities of the fragile Himalayas.
