New Delhi, Sept. 27 -- Nestled in the heart of the Indian Himalayas, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district has earned a prestigious new title as India's latest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, taking the country's total UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserves to 13.
Covering nearly 7,770 square kilometers of rugged landscapes-from glacial valleys and alpine plateaus to some of the high-altitude deserts ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 meters-it encompasses the Pin Valley National Park along with Kibber and Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The announcement was made at the conclusion of the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves held in Hangzhou, China, a decennial event that unites scientists, policymakers, and commu...