- The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in southern India, covering areas in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- The reserve includes well-known places like Ooty, Coonoor, Wayanad, and parts of the Nilgiri, Malappuram, and Chamarajanagar districts.
- In 1882, the Madras Forest Act was enacted to regulate forest use and conservation in the Nilgiri Hills, leading to the establishment of reserved forests and sanctuaries.
- In 1936, the Nilgiri Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect the region’s diverse wildlife, including the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
- In 1986, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was officially designated as India’s first biosphere reserve, aiming to conserve ecosystems, promote sustainable development, and protect cultural heritage.
- In 2000, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was designated as India’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
- In 2012, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Western Ghats, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot.
- Area: The total area of the reserve is about 5,520 square kilometers (2,131 square miles).
- Core area: 1,240 sq. km.
- Buffer zone: 3,574 sq. km.
- Transition zone: 706 sq. km.
- Statewise Area: The area distribution among the states is as follows:
- Tamil Nadu: 2,537.6 sq. km.
- Kerala: 1,455.4 sq. km.
- Karnataka: 1,527.4 sq. km.
- National Parks: Prominent national parks within the reserve:
- Bandipur National Park (Karnataka)
- Nagarahole National Park (Karnataka)
- Mukurthi National Park (Tamil Nadu)
- Silent Valley National Park (Kerala)
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Key wildlife sanctuaries in the reserve:
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala)
- Hills: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is named after the Nilgiri Hills, a key feature of the reserve. These hills are part of the Western Ghats in southern India.
- Peaks: The highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills is Doddabetta, which rises to 2,637 meters (8,650 feet). Other notable peaks in the region are Mukurthi Peak, Tadiandamol Peak, and Brahmagiri Peak.
- Rivers: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a source for several significant rivers, which play a vital role in the region’s water supply and ecological balance. Major rivers originating in the reserve include:
- Bhavani River
- Moyar River
- Kabini River
- Additionally, smaller rivers and streams such as the Chaliyar and Punampuzha also contribute to the area’s water resources and ecological health.
- Lakes: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve also features several lakes and reservoirs that enhance its ecological diversity. Notable lakes and reservoirs include:
- Pykara Lake
- Avalanche Lake
- Upper Bhavani Lake
- Emerald Lake
- Tribes: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to several indigenous tribal communities with rich cultural heritage. Notable tribes include:
- Todas
- Kotas
- Irulas
- Kurumbas
- Paniyas
- Cholanaickens
- Allar
- Flora: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve boasts a rich diversity of flora across its varied ecosystems, including:
- Shola Forests (Tropical Montane Forests)
- Evergreen Forests (Indian rosewood, black dammar, and Malabar ironwood)
- Grasslands (Themeda, Chrysopogon, and Arundinella)
- Medicinal Plants (Rauvolfia serpentina, Gloriosa superba, and Gymnema sylvestre)
- Endemic Plants (Nilgiri blue tiger orchid (Vanda nilotica) and various species of Impatiens, Pterocarpus, and Strobilanthes)
- Wetland Flora (Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea spp., and various aquatic grasses and reeds)
- Fauna: The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its rich and diverse fauna, thriving in its varied ecosystems such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
- Endemic Species: Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Nilgiri Blue Robin, Nilgiri Grasshopper etc.
- Endangered Species: Nilgiri Tahr, Bengal Tiger, Lion-tailed Macaque, Indian Rock Python, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Travancore Tortoise.