Shimla, Sept. 28 -- The Spiti Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh has been recognized as the India's first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's prestigious Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
The recognition was formally conferred during the 37th International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) meeting held in Hangzhou, China from 26th to 28th September, 2025. With this inclusion, India now has 13 Biosphere Reserves in the MAB Network. The Spiti Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve spans a geographical area of 7,770 sq. km, covering the entire Spiti Wildlife Division (7,591 sq. km) and adjoining parts of the Lahaul Forest Division, including Baralacha Pass, Bharatpur, and Sarchu (179 sq. km).
Situated at altitudes ranging fr...