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Four famous Chinese nature reserves were awarded "World Biosphere Reserve" status Wednesday, bringing the country's total to 21.

The accolade was given by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the Great Hall of the People.

Baishuijiang in Gansu Province, Gaoligong Mountain in Yunnan Province, Huanglong in Sichuan Province and Baotianman in Henan Province have now formally entered the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB). The first group of China's Biosphere Reserves was designated by UNESCO in 1979.

"The four reserves join a supportive and active network,"said Axel Hebel, officer-in-charge of Beijing's UNESCO office. "Therefore, they can fully benefit from the advantages of information exchange."

"China's very fast economic development these years has taken a heavy toll on the country's natural resources and environment, for which the MAB programme provides a tool to counteract."

The MAB concept that "the conservation and utilization of natural resources cannot be separated but have to be harmonized'' has been gradually recognized and accepted by decision-makers, scientists and the public in China, and has been an important impetus to protect China's environment and sustainable development.

"Carrying the title of World Biosphere Reserve is not just an honour," said Xuzhihong, chairman of the Chinese National Committee for MAB and the president of Peking University, "but also it brings along obligations of adhering to a set of principles for the management of biosphere reserves, and obligations to fulfil the dream of harmony between man and biosphere in China."

To date, 411 World Biosphere Reserves in 94 different countries have been admitted into the World Network.This year is the 30th anniversary of UNESCO's MAB programme.(China Daily)