Archive · 27 Sep 2025
India's Cold Desert Reserve Added to UNESCO List
UNESCO has added 26 new protected areas called biosphere reserves around the world, including one in India.
These areas are special places that aim to protect nature and help local people.
India's new reserve is a cold, high-altitude desert in the Himalayas, home to unique plants and animals.
UNESCO hopes this will bring in tourists and encourage research.
The goal is to balance protecting the environment with supporting the needs of the people who live there, and to safeguard the planet’s ecosystem.
India's Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve has been added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve is located in Himachal Pradesh, India.
With this addition, India now has 13 biosphere reserves listed by UNESCO.
26 new biosphere reserves were designated across 21 countries.
The recognition is expected to promote tourism and research in the region.
- Who
- UNESCO, India, local communities
- What
- Addition of India's Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), along with 25 others
- When
- Announced Saturday
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, India and across 21 countries globally
- Why
- To promote conservation, tourism, research and community-led sustainable development.
Community Advocates
Tourism Developers
Tourism Impact
Community Advocates
Potential for tourism to positively impact the economy.
Tourism Developers
Increased tourism potentially threatening the ecosystem, specifically regarding pressures on mountain ecosystems, and the impact of climate change
- New Biosphere Reserves
- 26
- Countries with New Reserves
- 21
- India's Biosphere Reserves
- 13
- Location of Cold Desert Reserve
- Himachal Pradesh, India
- Total WNBR Sites
- 785
- Area protected since 2018
- 1 million sq km
