The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) in Himachal Pradesh, along with 25 other biosphere reserves across several countries, has been included in World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) by the UNESCO, a global recognition that places the 7,770-sq km area spread across the state’s Lahaul-Spiti district on the international conservation map. With this addition, India now has 13 biospheres listed in WNBR.

“UNESCO designates 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries — the highest number in 20 years. The WNBR now includes 785 sites in 142 countries, with an additional one million sq km of natural areas brought under protection since 2018 — equivalent to the size of Bolivia,” UNESCO said in a statement.

The decision to include India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in the WNBR was take

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