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.
Despite its harsh climate and fragile ecosystem, the region supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including
- 655 herbs
- 41 shrubs
- 17 tree species
- 14 endemic species
- 47 medicinal plants
- 17 mammal species
- 119 bird species
The snow leopard is the flagship species in the region, accompanied by other notable animals such as the Tibetan wolf, red fox, Himalayan ibex, golden eagle, Himalayan snowcock, and bearded vulture.
Author's summary: Spiti Valley is now India's first cold desert biosphere reserve.