The Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) was launched in November 1971 under the auspices of Unesco. Its aim is to help to develop scientific knowledge with a view to the rational management and conservation of natural resources, to train qualified personnel in this field, and to disseminate the knowledge acquired both to the decision-makers and the population of various countries. Included in this bulletin are discussions of MAB's role, structure, goals, activities (including environmental education and training and the development of an international network of protected areas called biosphere reserves), and themes. Two major themes concern man as a part of the biosphere and interdisciplinary participation in MAB projects. A list of 14 major MAB project areas is also provided. These areas include ecological effects of increasing human activities on tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems, perception of environmental quality, and research on environmental pollution and its effect on the biosphere. Brief comments on MAB information materials and a flow chart illustrating the organization of MAB national committees are included in an appendix. (BC)