Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve: Conservation, Biodiversity and Tribal Heritage in the Western Ghats

Why in News

• The Supreme Court ordered the removal of encroachments from the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. 

Geographical Profile

• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is located in the southern Western Ghats across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 
• It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 2001. 
• It joined the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. 

Protected Area Network

• It includes Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. 
• It also includes the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. 

Biodiversity Significance

• The reserve contains tropical evergreen, moist deciduous and shola forests. 
• It supports around 2,254 higher plant species, including nearly 400 endemic species. 
• Important fauna include the Asian Elephant, Tiger, Nilgiri Tahr and Great Indian Hornbill. 

Tribal Presence

• It is home to the Kanikaran tribe, one of the oldest tribal communities of the region.