Spiti Valley: India's First Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh has been recognized as India's first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
This designation was made at the 37th session of UNESCO's International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, bringing India's total to 13 sites in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The cold desert ecosystem of Spiti Valley is characterized by extreme climate, rugged terrain, and fragile soils, yet it supports a remarkable array of biodiversity, including:
- 655 herbs
- 41 shrubs
- 17 tree species
- 14 endemic species
- 47 medicinal plants
- 17 mammal species
- 119 bird species
Notable animals found in the region include the snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, red fox, Himalayan ibex, golden eagle, Himalayan snowcock, and bearded vulture.
According to Mongabay, India, the snow leopard is the flagship species in the region.
Author's summary: Spiti Valley is now India's first cold desert biosphere reserve.
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