At the 37th MAB-ICC meeting in Hangzhou, Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh was declared India’s first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere programme. This brings India’s total number of UNESCO biosphere sites to 13.

The reserve sprawls across 7,770 km², covering the full Spiti Wildlife Division and parts of Lahaul’s forest division—its altitude ranges from about 3,300 to 6,600 metres. It is zoned into a 2,665 km² core zone, 3,977 km² buffer zone, and 1,128 km² transition area. Included within are Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, the Chandratal wetland, and Sarchu plains.

Ecologically, it is rich and fragile. The area supports over 655 herb species, 41 shrubs, and 17 tree species—many endemic and medicinal, part of the region’s Sowa Rigpa healing traditions. Its fauna includes 17 mammal and 119 bird species. The snow leopard is its flagship species, sustained by a prey base of more than 800 blue sheep.

Officials say this recognition will enhance global research collaboration, encourage responsible ecotourism, strengthen local livelihoods, and build climate resilience in this sensitive Himalayan terrain.