Biosphere reserves get Rs.2502.56 lakhs during last five years
	16:8 IST

Bioreserves of the country have been allocated  Rs. 2502.56 Lakhs during last five financial years as  budgetary alloation. Rs. 284.45 Lakhs were allocated during 2001-2002, Rs. 402.676 Lakhs during 2002-03, Rs. 583.11 lakhs during 2003-2004, 578.674 lakhs during 2004-05 and Rs. 653.65 lakhs were allocated during 2005-06. A biosphere reserve is a unique concept which includes one or more protected areas and surrounding lands that are managed to combine both conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Each biosphere reserve conserves examples of characteristic ecosystems of one of the world's natural regions, managed for their protection and study. It is a land and/or coastal/marine area in which people are an integral component, and which is managed for objectives ranging from complete protection to intensive yet sustainable production. It is a regional centre for monitoring, research, education and training on natural and managed ecosystems. It is a place where government decision makers, scientists, managers and local people cooperate in developing a model programme for managing land and water to meet human needs while conserving natural processes and biological resources, and  Each biosphere reserve is a symbol of voluntary cooperation to conserve and use resources for the well being of people everywhere. 13 states in the country have Biosphere Reserves. The details are as follows: Si.No States Name of Biosphere 1 Assam Dibru, Saikhowa, Manas 2 Arunachal Pradesh Dehang Debang 3 Chattisgarh Partof Achanakmar-Amarkantak 4 Andaman & Nicobar Islands Great Nicobar 5 Karnataka Part of Nilgiris 6 Kerala Part of Nilgiris, Part of Agasthyamalai 7 Madhya Pradesh Pachmarhi, Part of Achankmar – Amarkantak 8 Meghalaya Nokrek 9 Orissa Simlipal 10 Sikkim Kanchenjunga 11 Tamil Nadu Part of Nilgiris, Gulf of Mannar,Part of Agasyamalai 12 Uttaranchal Nanda Devi 13 West Bengal Sunderbans This fund has been utilized to monitor and promote bio-diversity conservation through surveys and assesment of flora and fauna. They also created nursery for indigenous species. This has helped in proviing alternate livelihood options such as Bee keeping, Horticulture development, irrigation channels for improved agricultural yield and fishries. State governemnts also trained local inhabitants to develop their skills.Minor infrastruture such as jetties and pathways were also created. Restoration of degraded sites through check dams, afforestation were also taken up with this allotment. Local people also got better facility of drinking water. KP/AS/060807