Due largely to its ecological importance, the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve was the first Biosphere Reserve to be declared in southern Africa and forms part of UNESCO’s world-wide network of Biosphere Reserves. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves includes 79 such sites across Africa, recognized for their significant conservation value as well as their potential to drive sustainable development. Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India. English: See en:Category:Biosphere reserves for breadth of listings and names. The first biosphere reserve of the world was established in 1979, since then the network of biosphere reserves has increased to 631 in 119 countries across the world. Biosphere reserves are highly critical sites as we move towards a future of environmental uncertainty. The conservation of such representative areas of natural biological diversity in the form of biosphere reserves is thus imminent. It is also meant to restore the traditional life of the tribals residing in the area. A biosphere reserve is an international conservation designation given by UNESCO under its Programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB).

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Biosphere Reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems that are recognised by its Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB,1971).Each reserve promotes reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. A protected area, like a national park or reserve, forms the core of the biosphere reserve. National park:- It is a reserved area of land owned by the government which is protected from industrialization, human exploitation and pollution. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, over the years, has been much concerned about nature conservation, the ecosystems and plant (biological) diversity they contain. As learning laboratories for sustainability, biosphere reserves present an incredible opportunity to connect communities across the world in responding to the greatest environmental challenges of our time. The biosphere reserves maintain the biological diversity of an area. The VBR has completed an assessment of biodiversity to assist in identifying future conservation areas and corridors between these. Biosphere reserves are the extended protected land mean at for the conservation of wild animals and plants. The World Network of Biosphere Reserves, currently comprising 669 sites/regions designated by UNESCO in 120 countries since 1976, is a unique global network explicitly linking sustainable development and biodiversity conservation.

The World Network of Biosphere Reserves is the collection of all 621 biosphere protected areas in 117 countries (as of July, 2013).. Biosphere reserves contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation.