The remote and stunningly beautiful Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh has achieved a major international recognition, being formally designated as India’s first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s prestigious Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
The landmark announcement was made at the 37th session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the MAB Programme, held in Hangzhou, China, from September 26 to 28, 2025. This inclusion brings India’s total number of sites in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves to 13.
The new Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve spans a vast geographical area of 7,770 square kilometres in the Lahaul-Spiti district, covering altitudes between 3,300 and 6,600 metres. It incorporates key protected areas, including the Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Chandratal Wetland.
Despite the extreme climate, the reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity, serving as a critical habitat for the region’s flagship species: the Snow Leopard. It also supports a rich diversity of other high-altitude fauna, including the Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Ibex, Red Fox, and a large population of Blue Sheep, which forms the core prey base.
The UNESCO designation is expected to significantly boost conservation efforts, international research collaboration, and the promotion of responsible eco-tourism in the fragile Trans-Himalayan ecosystem.
“This recognition firmly places Himachal’s cold deserts on the global conservation map,” stated a senior forest official. “It strengthens India’s efforts to build climate resilience in these fragile Himalayan ecosystems and highlights the invaluable role of local communities who have maintained traditional, eco-friendly agro-pastoral practices for generations.”
The move is seen as a key step toward safeguarding the unique natural and cultural heritage of the valley while promoting sustainable development in harmony with the extreme environment.
