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♤ The characteristic features of Biosphere Reserves are:
(1) Each Biosphere Reserves are protected areas of land and/or coastal environments wherein people are an integral component of the system.
♤ Together, they constitute a worldwide network linked by International understanding for exchange of scientific information.
(2) The network of BRs includes significant examples of biomes throughout the world.
(3) Each BR includes one or more of the following categories:-
(i) BRs are representative examples of natural biomes.
(ii) BRs conserve unique communities of biodiversity or areas with unusual natural features of exceptional interest.
(iii) BRs have examples of harmonious landscapes resulting from traditional patterns of land-use.
(iv) BRs have examples of modified or degraded ecosystems capable of being restored to more natural conditions.
(v) BRs generally have a non-manipulative core area, in combination with areas in which baseline measurements, experimental and manipulative research, education and training is carried out. Where these areas are not contiguous, they can be associated in a cluster.