Which of the following statements with regard to Biosphere Reserve is/are correct? 1. The idea of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74 2. There are 18 designated Biosphere Reserves in India 3. All Biosphere Reserves in India have been included in world network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes. Here is the evaluation of the statements:

• Statement 1: Correct. While UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme was launched in 1971, the specific working group and criteria for the Biosphere Reserve concept were initiated and developed during 1973-74.
• Statement 2: Correct. There are 18 designated Biosphere Reserves in India (e.g., Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Pachmarhi, etc.) as recognized by the Government of India.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. Not all 18 Indian reserves are included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). Currently, only 12 of them (including Panna, which was added in late 2020) have received this international recognition under the MAB programme.

Since statements 1 and 2 are correct, the correct option is C.