Mobius Foundation hosted a panel discussion on ‘Biosphere Reserves: Strategies for Sustainable Development and Conservation’ at the Constitution Club of India, featuring experts from UNESCO, WWF, and academic institutions. Panellists highlighted the importance of biosphere reserves, as well as several challenges, including inadequate research and monitoring infrastructure, limited community engagement, conflicts between conservation and local needs, threats from unregulated development, invasive species, and funding constraints.

Key opportunities identified include enhancing biodiversity conservation, habitat protection, governance, sustainable livelihoods, and integrating indigenous knowledge. Recommendations emphasized strengthening community participation and alternative livelihoods, investing in research and monitoring, promoting organic agriculture, ecotourism, and renewable energy within reserves. Innovative funding mechanisms, such as carbon credits and biodiversity offsets, were suggested to support conservation, while fostering collaboration among governments, communities, researchers, and the private sector for integrated management.