Importance of Biosphere Reserve
Acting as pockets of hope in the face of the climate crisis, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) biosphere reserves are hidden oases, protecting biodiversity, reducing pollution, and enhancing climate resilience.
They are living jewels of land, coastal and marine ecosystems, scattered across the globe, where nature and humans come together creating a symphony of life.
World Biosphere Reserve Day is celebrated on November 3.
This is to raise awareness of the importance of biosphere reserves and to promote their conservation and sustainable use.
In the heart of each biosphere reserve lies the strictly protected core zone.
This provides habitat for flora and fauna, and protecting water, soil, air, and biota as a whole ecosystem.
There is a buffer zone surrounding the core zone, where people live and work in harmony with nature.
Buffer zone also functions as a laboratory for scientists to study nature, and for training and education.
The outermost edge is the transition zone where communities practice socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable human activities.
Biosphere reserves are also supported by other United Nations agencies, for example the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
According to UNESCO, there are currently 748 biosphere reserves across 134 countries.
Its including 22 transboundary sites, enhancing the friendly cooperation between neighboring countries.
They impact the lives of more than 250 million people in 134 countries; 12 sites can be found in India alone.
Biosphere reserves are vital for the future of our planet and living testament to the resilience of nature.
They are home to a wide variety of ecosystems from tropical rainforests to alpine deserts.
Biosphere reserves provide home to countless unique and endangered plants and animals species.
In addition to this , they also provide opportunities for sustainable economic development.
In recent years, biosphere reserves have become crucial in our fight against climate change.
These areas are home to many of the world’s carbon sinks helping to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Carbon sinks, like forests and the ocean, provide solutions in implementing adaptation strategies to fight climate change.
It is estimated that over 300 million tons of plastic are produced each year.
A significant portion of this ends up as waste.
Single-use plastic is not biodegradable, meaning it can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose.
In the meantime, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces, known as microplastics.
Which can pollute our environment and harm wildlife.
Some of the negative impacts of single-use plastic:
Environmental pollution: Single-use plastic can pollute our oceans, lakes, rivers, and soil. It can also end up in our landfills and incinerators.
Harm to wildlife: Animals can become entangled in plastic debris or mistake it for food. Ingesting plastic can lead to death or serious health problems for wildlife.
Microplastic pollution: Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in size. Microplastics have been found in the blood and tissues of humans and animals.
Climate change: Plastic is made from petroleum, a fossil fuel.
Extracting and transporting petroleum releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Human health: Exposure to microplastics and the chemicals used to make plastic can have negative health impacts on humans. These impacts can include cancer, reproductive problems, and hormonal disruption.
Island of Principe Biosphere Reserve
The Island of Príncipe Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-designated protected area.
This encompasses the entire island of Príncipe, its islets, and surrounding marine habitats.
It is located in the Gulf of Guinea, west coast of Africa, and is part of the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.
This biosphere reserve is home to a rich biodiversity of plants and animals, including many endemic species.
The island is covered in dense tropical rainforest, which provides habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
The surrounding marine environment is also rich in biodiversity, including fish, coral reefs, and sea turtles.
UNESCO Man and the Biosphere
On this second anniversary of World Biosphere Reserve Day, it is important to reflect on the progress that has been made in conserving and sustainably using these vital ecosystems.
UNESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, concluded the 10th South and Central Asian Biosphere Reserve Network Meeting (SACAM) in Chennai, India (November 1-3).
With the theme “Ridge to Reef”.
The SACAM provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and fostering collaborations in the realm of sustainable environmental practices in the South and Central Asia Region.
The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme enhances the human-environment relationship through combining natural and social sciences to improve livelihoods, safeguard ecosystems, and promote sustainable economic development.
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