Who sets the rules for biosphere reserves?
A biosphere reserve should satisfy UNESCO’s basic criteria such as being divided up into core, buffer and transition zones. It should clearly promote sustainable human activity or aspire to do so. It should also encourage protection of the environment, especially the flora and fauna of a particular biogeographic region. A reserve would in general need the support of its national government in which it is located as UNESCO is an intergovernmental organisation. UNESCO has a regular system of review of individual biosphere reserves at internals of about ten years to check them against the main criteria of biosphere reserves. This review conducted by the respective member state and/or individual biosphere reserves, with the encouragement of UNESCO. UNESCO is loath to impose any qualifications or make judgements on biosphere reserves in individual countries although it may encourage certain steps by a member state such as delisting a non-functioning biosphere reserve. Essentially biosphere
