- The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is located in the districts of Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Almora in Uttarakhand, India.
- It is situated in the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of the Western Himalayas.
- The reserve includes both the Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers National Park.
- In 1982, the Indian government established the Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park to protect the region’s ecological and cultural heritage.
- In 1988, the Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park were designated as the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve by the Government of India.
- In 1988, the Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their floral diversity and conservation of rare and endangered species.
- In 2004, the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve became part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program, promoting conservation, sustainable development, and research.
- Area: It covers an area of approximately 6,407.03 square kilometers (2,472.02 square miles). The breakdown of the area-
- Core area: 712.12 square kilometers. The reserve includes two core zones:
- Nanda Devi National Park: 624 sq km,
- Valley of Flowers National Park: 88 sq km
- Buffer zone: 5,148.57 square kilometers.
- Transition zone: 546.34 square kilometers.
- Core area: 712.12 square kilometers. The reserve includes two core zones:
- District wise Area: District wise area of biosphere reserve-
- Chamoli- 3,387.07 Sq. Km.
- Pithoragarh- 1,312.85 Sq. Km.
- Almora- 706.11 Sq. Km.
- Altitude: The area has a large altitudinal range, from 1,800 to 7,817 meters.
- Hills: The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is surrounded by several prominent hills and peaks that contribute to the breathtaking landscape of the region. Some of the notable hills within or near the reserve include:
- Nanda Devi
- Trishul
- Kamet
- Dunagiri
- Kalanka
- Changbang
- Nanda Ghungti
- Rivers: The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is home to several significant rivers that play a crucial role in the region’s ecosystem. Notable rivers within or near the reserve include:
- Alaknanda River
- Dhauli Ganga River
- Rishi Ganga River
- Pushpawati River
- Lakes: The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is home to several notable lakes that add to the region’s natural beauty and ecological diversity:
- Roopkund Lake
- Hemkund Lake
- Fauna: The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is known for its rich and diverse fauna. Some notable species found within the reserve include:
- Alpine Meadows (primulas, gentians, anemones, and potentillas)
- Coniferous Forests (Deodar, Blue Pine, and Silver Fir)
- Rhododendron Forests (Rhododendron arboreum and Rhododendron campanulatum)
- Medicinal Plants: (Atis, Kutki, and Muskroot)
- Endemic and Rare Species (Brahma Kamal and Himalayan Yew)
- Fauna: Some of the notable animal species found within the reserve are Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep (Bharal), Musk Deer, Himalayan TahrAsiatic and Himalayan Brown Bear, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan Pit Viper etc.