The decision was made by the Council of Representatives of 34 UNESCO Member States during a meeting taking place in Paris from June 8 to 12. Another 19 sites around the world were also added to the network.
Extending over a total area of 148,948 hectares, the biosphere reserve is located in Inner Mongolia and is described as representing an important part of the Taiga distributed in China, UNESCO said.
A cold temperate coniferous forest, Hanma is the best-preserved forest type in China and is of high scientific value, it said. Forest products from the site also contribute to the socio-economic development of the communities in the area.
With the new 20 sites added, the World Network of Biosphere Reserves contains a total number of 651 sites, including 15 trans-boundary sites, in 120 countries.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
