UNESCO designates Nicobar as ‘world biosphere reserve’ : The UNESCO has designated the Nicobar Islands as a world biosphere reserve under its ‘Man and Biosphere 0 S 10 Programme’ (MAB). The Island chain of the Nicobars is home to approximately 1,800 animal species and is also the abode of some of the world’s most endangered tribes. These regions are considered as sites of excellence, where new and optimal practices to manage nature and human activities are tested and demonstrated. It is among 12 new areas added to the global network of biosphere reserves in Paris. Such reserves are located in 17 countries and nine of them are located in India