Which of the following is the first Biosphere Reserve (reserve area) of India?

The correct answer is Nilgiri.

Important Points

• Biosphere reserves are sites established by countries and recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.
• The program of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1971.
• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
  •    It was the first and Oldest biosphere reserve in India established in the year 1986.
  • It is located in the Western Ghats and includes 2 of the 10 biogeographical provinces of India.
  • The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve falls under the biogeographic region of the Malabar rainforest.
  • The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley are the protected areas present within this reserve.

 Hence, option 1 is the correct answer.