Man and the Biosphere Program

In 1970 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched a programme of ecological co-operation under the name of Man and Biospere (MAB). It aims to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and to balance the relationship between people and their environment. With the objective of studying and promoting these goals, individual states designated areas known as biosphere reserves (BR).

These larger areas fulfill the following three main functions of biosphere reserves:

1. Conservation of the environment and conservation of natural and cultural diversity

2. Support of sustainable economic and social development

3. Support of education, research and information exchange in the fields of nature conservation and cultural and economic development 

Every BR is divided into three zones. The core area is the most valuable of the three. It is followed by a buffer zone which serves mainly scientific, educational and tourist purposes. The last one is a transition area where farming focusing on ecologically friendly approaches takes place.