Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, Sweden

An ancient glacial landscape. Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, Sweden

Discover the enchanting Knuthöjdsmossen nature reserve, which covers a little more than 1 square kilometre near Hällefors city in Sweden. This tranquil haven features a loop on boardwalks that meanders through the bog, showcasing several small lakes, sand dunes, marshes and pines. Parts of the loop are accessible by wheelchair and pram. The landscape is shaped by the last inland ice that melted around 10,000 years ago, leaving behind moraine (accumulation of unconsolidated debris) and glacial river sand. The most common trees in the park are pines, but various shrubs can also be found, such as dwarf birch, crowberry and wild rosemary.

India is home to such 18 designated biosphere reserves, each covering expansive stretches of natural habitat that go beyond the scope of typical national parks or wildlife sanctuaries. What sets biosphere reserves apart is their dual focus—not just on conserving biodiversity, but also on protecting the local communities and cultural practices of the people living within them. Notable examples include the Nilgiri, Sundarbans and Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserves.