The Indian MAB Committee following the UNESCO Programme identified a network of 14 representative ecosystems to be designated as biosphere reserves. Twelve biosphere reserves have already been set up. The Gulf of Mannar, the first marine biosphere reserve in Southeast Asia, was established on 18 Feb. 1989. A biosphere reserve is intended to fulfil three basic objectives: "of conserving in situ of biodiversity of natural and seminatural ecosystems and ...
