The Science Connect E-Learning Series: UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in India- 1/12 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a significant protected area located in the Western Ghats in southern India. It is the largest protected forest area in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere reserve in India established in the year 1986.and is recognized as a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2000. The Nilgiri Sub-Cluster is a part of the Western Ghats, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a globally important biodiversity hotspot, with a wide range of ecosystems and species diversity. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve covers an extensive area of approximately 5,520 square kilometers. The reserve is divided into core, buffer and transition zones.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and is considered one of the richest biosphere reserves in India. This reserve harbors a wide spectrum of ecosystem types such as tropical evergreen forests, Montane sholas and grasslands, semi evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and thorn forests. These range of ecosystems constitute an excellent habitat for the flora, fauna and other microbial forms.
The varied habitats of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve house a sizeable number of species of animals and plants including large number of endemics having special relevance to conservation. It includes about 3500 species of flowering plants, out of which 1500 are endemic to the Western Ghats. The fauna consists of over 100 species of mammals, 550 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, 300 species of butterflies, and a large number of invertebrates. 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 60 species of reptiles endemic to the Western Ghats also occur in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is not only rich in natural heritage but also boasts cultural diversity. It is inhabited by various indigenous communities such as the Toda, Kota, Kurumba, and Irula, who have traditionally coexisted with the surrounding natural environment.
Overall, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve plays a crucial role in preserving the unique ecosystems of the Western Ghats and promoting sustainable development in the region. Its conservation efforts contribute to the protection of biodiversity, enhancement of ecological resilience, and the well-being of local communities.
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