Khuvsgul Lake National Park: UNESCO recently added the Khuvsgul Lake National Park of Mongolia to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves along with 10 more new biosphere reserves in 8 countries, including three countries for the first time: Chad, Georgia and Zambia.

Two existing biosphere reserves in Spain have also been extended.

Key Points:

• The decision was made during the 34th session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, which is composed of 34 representatives of UNESCO Member States.
• The meeting took place from 13 to 17 June at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris, France.

About Man and Biosphere Programme:

• The Man and Biosphere Programme is an intergovernmental scientific program.
• It was set up in the early 1970s by UNESCO.
• New biosphere reserves are designated every year by the MAB International Coordinating Council.

About Khuvsgul Lake:

• Khuvsgul Lake is located in the northern Mongolian province of Khuvsgul near the Russian border.
• Located about 200 km west of Lake Baikal it freezes over completely in winter.
• The lake is 1,645 meters above sea level.
• It is 136 km long and 262 meters deep.
• It holds nearly 70 percent of Mongolia’s fresh water or 0.4 percent of the world’s total.

Note: According to the Mongolian Ministry, a total of nine sites from Mongolia have so far been registered in the network.

UNESCO newly designated biosphere reserves:

• UNESCO has approved the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 9 countries, including three countries for the first time: Chad, Georgia and Zambia.
• Two existing biosphere reserves in Spain have also been extended.

The 11 newly designated biosphere reserves are:

1. Sunshine Coast Biosphere Reserve (Australia)
2. Doumba-Rey Biosphere Reserve (Cameroon)
3. Sena Oura Biosphere Reserve (Chad)
4. Dedoplistskaro Biosphere Reserve (Georgia)
5. Three Alazani Rivers Biosphere Reserve (Georgia)
6. Burabay Biosphere Reserve (Kazakhstan)
7. Markakol Biosphere Reserve (Kazakhstan)
8. Khuvsgul Lake Biosphere Reserve (Mongolia)
9. Harrat Uwayrid Biosphere Reserve (Saudi Arabia)
10. Kafue Flats Biosphere Reserve (Zambia)
11. Chimanimani Biosphere reserve (Zimbabwe)

Two extensions:

1. El Hierro Biosphere Reserve (Spain)
2. Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve (Spain)

With the new designations, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves totals 738 sites in 134 countries.

About World Network of Biosphere Reserves:

• UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves comprises biosphere reserves, which are internationally declared protected regions.
• The reserves are intended to show how nature and people may coexist in harmony.
• They are created under Man and the Biosphere Programme.
• It comprises of a dynamic and interactive web network.
• It strives to encourage harmonious integration of people and nature to attain sustainable development by means of participatory dialogue, poverty reduction, human well-being improvements, knowledge sharing, and respect for cultural values.