| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve | Located in Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh; area: ~7,770 sq km; altitude: 3,300-6,600 meters |
| Ecological Features | Alpine meadows, glacial lakes, wind-blown plateaus; includes Pin Valley National Park and Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Biodiversity | 30 endemic plant species; fauna includes snow leopards, blue sheep, Himalayan ibex, Himalayan wolves |
| Human Presence | Population: ~12,000; traditional practices: yak and goat herding, small-scale agriculture, herbal medicine |
| UNESCO Recognition | India's 13th UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; aims to boost global awareness, research, conservation funding, and sustainable development |
| New Ramsar Sites | Gokul Jalashay (448 ha, Buxar district), Udaipur Jheel (319 ha, West Champaran district) |
| Total Ramsar Sites in India | 93; India ranks third globally in wetland conservation |
| Key Highlights | Focus on biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods |
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