Environment
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
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- CONTEXT: The Supreme Court directed the Government of Tamil Nadu to formulate a time bound plan—and implement it on a priority basis—to remove encroachments located within the protected areas of the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape in Tamil Nadu.
- The Court noted that the Agasthyamalai ecological landscape, which encompasses several districts across both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, spans an area of 3,500.36 square kilometers.
About Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
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- The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is situated at the southern tip of the Western Ghats and extends across the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- This region is renowned for the ‘Neelakurinji’ flower, which blooms only once every 12 years.
- Currently, this Biosphere Reserve encompasses parts of the Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu, as well as the Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta districts in Kerala.
Establishment and Recognition
- It was designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 2001.
- In 2016, it was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Origin of the Name
- The reserve is named after the revered Hindu sage Agasthya Muni.
- Its highest summit, Agasthya Malai, rises to an elevation of 1,868 metres.
Protected Areas within the Reserve
- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
- Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Climate and Vegetation
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- The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate with abundant rainfall, particularly on the western side.
- It supports diverse ecosystems such as:
- Tropical wet evergreen forests
- Moist deciduous forests
- Montane rainforests
- Shola forests
Floral Diversity
- The reserve supports more than 2,250 species of plants.
- Around 405 species are endemic to the region.
- It is well known for its rich variety of medicinal plants, including Arogyapacha.
Faunal Diversity
- The reserve provides habitat to several important wildlife species, including: Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Grizzled Giant Squirrel
- It is also home to notable bird species such as the Great Indian Hornbill.
Indigenous Communities
- The biosphere reserve is inhabited by the Kanikaran tribe, one of the oldest indigenous tribal communities in the region.
