Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve Joins UNESCO Global Network

India has gained another recognition on the global conservation map with the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district officially joining UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Spread across 7,770 square kilometres, the newly designated reserve brings India’s total number of UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserves to 13.

In a statement, UNESCO said: “UNESCO designates 26 new biosphere reserves across 21 countries, the highest number in 20 years. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves 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.”

Perched between 3,300 and 6,600 metres above sea level, this remarkable landscape is among the coldest and driest ecosystems in the world. It is divided into three zones – a protected core, a buffer area, and a transition space where local communities live and work in harmony with nature. From windswept plateaus and glacial valleys to alpine lakes and high-altitude deserts, the setting captures the raw spirit of the Himalayas.

The reserve is home to some of the rarest and most elusive creatures, including the snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, and Himalayan wolf. Visitors may not easily spot them, but knowing these species survive in such terrain adds to the sense of awe. Alongside its wildlife, the Cold Desert nurtures a wealth of alpine plants long valued for medicinal use, making it significant both ecologically and culturally.

Amitabh Gautam, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), remarked, “This recognition firmly places Himachal’s cold deserts on the global conservation map. It will enhance international research collaboration, promote responsible eco-tourism to support local livelihoods, and strengthen India’s efforts to build climate resilience in the fragile Himalayan ecosystems.”

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu added, “The State Government is committed to protect and conserving Himachal Pradesh’s rich natural and cultural heritage and fragile ecology in the era of climate change, while ensuring harmony between developmental activities and nature.”

For travellers, this recognition shines an international spotlight on Spiti’s fragile environment and underlines the importance of responsible tourism. Himachal Pradesh officials have welcomed UNESCO’s announcement, describing it as a milestone for conservation and sustainable development in the region.

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve now stands not only as a Himalayan treasure but also as part of a global effort to protect the planet’s most extraordinary natural places.