The development of the island’s biosphere status is at a ’challenging’ stage, Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot has said.

Mr Boot gave Tynwald members an update, following on from visits to the island by representatives of the Unesco Biosphere’s Man and Biosphere programme.

Dr Meriem Bouamrane, MAB programme specialist, and Professor Enny Sudarmonowati, chairman of the international co-ordinating council, visited to see the progress of the island, which is still regarded as a ’relatively young biosphere’.

The minister said: ’Both visitors spoke highly of our situation and the progress we are making.

’They acknowledged that this stage in the development can be challenging as some people try to understand what it is all about, whilst others try to use the biosphere concept almost like regulation, as if we should stop this, only do that.

’We were reassured that this is normal and that every biosphere has great aspects and areas they have scope to improve.’

Mr Boot said the government was reassured that the licensing of gas exploration in Manx seas was acceptable.

Other biosphere zones had encountered opposition to proposed wind farms, he said.

Dr Bouamrane gave an assurance that ’considerations about achieving a sensible and in every way sustainable balance is what it is all about’.

Mr Boot, who was responding to a question tabled by Jason Moorhouse (Arbory, Castletown and Malew), said: ’The visitors left us inspired to grow and learn as a biosphere, as we promote the ethos to the benefit of our island. My officers and I are currently giving their comments deep consideration and working towards a strategy on biosphere delivery.’

The Isle of Man was awarded Unesco Biosphere status in 2016. It is the only entire nation to be given such status and means the island is regarded as a special place for humans and nature to co-exist.