<h4>Recent UNESCO Designations</h4><p>The <strong>United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</strong> has recently approved the designation of <strong>11 new Biosphere Reserves (BRs)</strong>.</p><p>These new designations span across <strong>11 different countries</strong>, significantly expanding the global network of sites dedicated to reconciling biodiversity conservation with sustainable use.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p><strong>Key Point:</strong> Biosphere Reserves are sites established by countries and recognized under <strong>UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme</strong> to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.</p></div><h4>Understanding Biosphere Reserves (BRs)</h4><p>A <strong>Biosphere Reserve</strong> is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof.</p><p>They are intended to conserve <strong>biodiversity</strong> and promote <strong>sustainable development</strong>, fostering a balanced relationship between humans and nature.</p><div class='exam-tip-box'><p><strong>UPSC Insight:</strong> Questions on <strong>international environmental conventions</strong> and <strong>conservation initiatives</strong>, like UNESCO's MAB programme and Biosphere Reserves, are frequent in <strong>GS Paper III (Environment)</strong>. Be prepared to discuss their objectives and significance.</p></div><h4>Objectives of Biosphere Reserves</h4><ul><li><strong>Conservation:</strong> Protecting landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.</li><li><strong>Development:</strong> Fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.</li><li><strong>Logistic Support:</strong> Providing support for research, monitoring, education, and information exchange related to local, national, and global issues of conservation and sustainable development.</li></ul>