CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Mobius Foundation organised a panel discussion on ‘Biosphere Reserves: Strategies for Sustainable Development and Conservation’ at the Constitution Club of India. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and conservationists from UNESCO, WWF, and various academic institutions to deliberate on the role of biosphere reserves in India’s ecological future. Discussions emphasised Mobius’ vision for safeguarding biodiversity, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Mr. Pradip Burman, Chairman, Mobius Foundation addressing the event said, “Biosphere reserves serve as critical pillars of a sustainable future. Collaborative efforts are essential to preserving these declining valuable ecosystems, ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from their ecological and economic contribution.”
The panel featured prominent speakers, including Dr Benno Boer, Chief of Natural Sciences at UNESCO (South Asia Regional Office); Dr Priya Gupta, Lead, Governance, Law & Policy at WWF India; Dr Erach Bharucha, Director of Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Environment Education and Research; Dr Aditya Joshi, Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Manipur, and Advisor at Mobius Foundation; and Mr Praveen Garg, President of Mobius Foundation. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Abhilash Khandekar, Senior Journalist.
The panellists pointed out how insufficient community engagement and inadequate livelihood alternatives often lead to conflicts between conservation goals and local needs. Threats from unregulated development, invasive species, and large-scale projects pose significant risks to the ecological integrity of these reserves. Further, funding and an unequal distribution of benefits hinder effective management and sustainable development initiatives. Inadequate research and monitoring infrastructure hinder effective conservation planning.
The discussion explored major opportunities under the themes of biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, strengthening governance and policy frameworks, sustainable livelihoods and integrating indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts. Dr Benno Boer, Chief of Natural Sciences at UNESCO (South Asia Regional Office) stressed the importance of robust governance mechanisms and collaborative approaches among stakeholders and said, “Biosphere reserves are living laboratories where we can apply, test, and demonstrate best practices for human living in harmony with nature. Active community participation in planning, management, and zonation is crucial to their success.”
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