The Unesco has designated Nicobar Islands as a world biosphere reserve under its ‘Man and the Biosphere Programme’. Member countries establish these reserves and the world body recognizes them under this programme to promote sustainable development based on the efforts of the local community and sound science. These regions are considered as sites of excellence, where new and optimal practices to manage nature and human activities are tested and demonstrated. The island chain of the Nicobars is home to approximately 1,800 animal species and is also the abode of some of the the world’s most endangered tribes. It was among 12 new areas added to the global network of biosphere reserves in Paris on Thursday. Such reserves are located in 117 countries and nine of them are located in India. Other places added to the list include Pakistan’s Ziarat Juniper forest and China’s Snake Island.