News
UNESCO celebrates the World Biosphere Reserve Day in India
UNESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), hosted the 10th South & Central Asian Biosphere Reserve Meeting (SACAM) in Chennai, India, from 1 to 3rd of November in celebration of the second International Day for Biosphere Reserves 2023.
The three-day event, themed "Ridge to Reef", was a pivotal platform for exchanging knowledge and fostering collaborations in the realm of sustainable environmental practices. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from all walks of life highlighting the latest initiatives and challenges in biosphere reserve management.
The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves promotes North-South and South-South collaboration and includes 748 biosphere reserves in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are ideal places to apply, test and demonstrate best practices for sustainable human living. They aim to enhance nature conservation, reduce the environmental footprint, and keep the ecological carrying capacity of our natural ecosystems intact.
The event, featuring panel discussions, film screenings, poster exhibitions, and case studies on a range of critical environmental issues, including blue carbon ecosystems, mountains, coral reefs, and the significance of biosphere reserves in safeguarding our planet's biodiversity, was a call for action by individuals, organizations, and corporations to come together and commit to safeguarding our planet's most vital ecosystems.
The triple planetary crisis is real, and we are running out of time. We urgently need to apply available solutions for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and waste-management. This event plays an important role to bring different sectors of society together to jointly turn from rhetoric to action.
The first day of the event brought together esteemed dignitaries and luminaries from various spheres, including Dr. R Seetharaman (Founder of Seetharaman School of Sustainability & former CEO Doha Bank), Ms. Supriya Sahu (Additional Chief Secretary | Environment Climate Change & Forests, Tamil Nadu), Dr. Yashveer Bhatnagar (Country Representative, IUCN), Mr. RK Kodali (Member of Mab Committee, India) and Director of NCSCM, Dr. Purvaja Ramachandran.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of country reports from Central & South Asia, shedding light on the diverse initiatives and challenges faced in these regions, providing a comprehensive view of the biosphere reserves’ global significance. Simultaneously, the event hosted a series of panel discussions focusing on critical planetary issues such as blue carbon ecosystems, mountains, coral reefs, and the significance of biosphere reserves in safeguarding our planet's biodiversity.
The event also featured two distinguished guests: Mr. Ricky Kej, three times Grammy award winning artist and Ms. Kartiki Gonsalves, an Academy Award winning director for her film called “The Elephant Whisperers”. Moreover, singer-songwriter and long-term UNESCO supporter Charlie Winston provided a message to the participants, and allowed the use of several of his well-known songs. These artists' presence added a touch of creativity and color to the conference.
India has established 18 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, out of which 12 are under the World Network of Biosphere Reserves – we appreciate the great importance of these reserves as models for living in harmony with nature in pursuit to Nature for Society - one Earth, one Family, one Future.
Government representatives from many south & central Asian countries, private entities, NGOs, IGOs, UN agencies, and foundations were present in the discourse, recognizing their substantial role in nature conservation. It fostered an environment where stakeholders ranging from environmentalists to academicians, organizations to schools, came together to contribute to the global environmental cause.
Attendees also viewed engaging films on mangroves and mountain ecosystems along with thematic exhibitions on climate science literacy, and women in science, providing an immersive experience in the world of biosphere reserves and the importance of their conservation. The event also presented visionaries who have made significant contributions to the environment, sharing their experiences and insights, underlining the urgency of collective action.
Case studies from various regions, including discussions on the Sundarbans, youth & technology in environmental conservation, UNESCO Green Academies transitioning into UN Green Academies, Private Sector support for Biosphere Reserves and combating plastic pollution, offered a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in nature conservation.
I congratulate the Republic of India for successfully establishing 12 sites, and I encourage all countries to participate in the World Network of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, aiming to enhance biodiversity conservation as a pillar of the sustainable socioeconomic development of the communities living in and around UNESCO Biosphere reserves.
This conference was a great opportunity to learn about the latest initiatives and challenges in biosphere conservation, networking with key stakeholders, leading to the development of innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.
For further information contact:
Neha Midha, National Programme Officer
(n.midha@unesco.org)
