London: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has declared and designated the Nicobar Islands in India as a world biosphere reserve under its Man and the Biosphere Programme.
Member countries establish such reserves. UNESCO recognizes them under the programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.
They are considered as sites of excellence, where new and optimal practices to manage nature and human activities are tested and demonstrated.
The island chain is home to 1,800 animal species and some of the world`s most endangered tribes.
It is among 12 new sites added to the global network of biosphere reserves in Paris on Thursday.
Such reserves are located in 117 countries and nine of them are now located in India.
ANI
