Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was recently included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Statement II: The region supports a fragile high-altitude ecosystem with rare flora and fauna, including snow leopards and endemic plant species.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Question

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was recently included in UNESCO&rsquo;s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Statement II: The region supports a fragile high-altitude ecosystem with rare flora and fauna, including snow leopards and endemic plant species.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
(c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
(d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Recently, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in India was included among the 26 new sites added to UNESCO&rsquo;s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) during the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves held in Hangzhou, China.

Statement I is correct: In September 2025, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh, covering 7,770 sq. km in the Lahaul-Spiti district, was added to UNESCO&rsquo;s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Statement II is correct: The region&rsquo;s high-altitude cold desert ecosystem is ecologically significant, supporting snow leopards, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, golden eagles, and over 700 species of vascular plants, including 30 endemics. It also sustains traditional livelihoods and cultural practices, and this ecological richness and fragility led to its global recognition.

Environment and Ecology

Biosphere Reserves

Website Link

Test Your Knowledge

Student Resources


M Question 1	⏱ 0
Consider the following statements: Statement I: The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh was recently included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Statement II: The region supports a fragile high-altitude ecosystem with rare flora and fauna, including snow leopards and endemic plant species. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I (b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct (d) Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct