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{{Short description|International biosphere reserve of India}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
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| photo_caption = Nilgiri Hills from the top of Doddabetta Peak
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| map_caption = Map of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve 1/1,300,000.
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The '''Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve''' is an [[International Biosphere Reserve]] in the [[Western Ghats]] and [[Nilgiri mountains|Nilgiri Hills]] ranges of [[South India]]. The Nilgiri Sub-Cluster is a part of the Western Ghats, which was declared a World Heritage Site by [[UNESCO]] in 2012.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342]</ref> It is the largest protected forest area in [[India]], spreading across [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]] and [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Correspondent|first=Legal|date=2021-01-27|title=Conservationist joins SC panel on elephant corridor case|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/conservationist-joins-sc-panel-on-elephant-corridor-case/article33678554.ece|access-date=2021-01-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It includes the [[Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary|Aralam]], [[Mudumalai National Park|Mudumalai]], [[Mukurthi National Park|Mukurthi]], [[Nagarhole National Park|Nagarhole]], [[Bandipur National Park|Bandipur]] and [[Silent Valley National Park|Silent Valley]] national parks, as well as the [[Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary|Wayanad]], [[Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary|Karimpuzha]], and [[Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary|Sathyamangalam]] wildlife sanctuaries.
The '''Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve''' is a [[biosphere reserve]] in the [[Nilgiri mountains]] of the [[Western Ghats]] in [[South India]]. It is the largest protected forest area in [[India]], spreading across [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Karnataka]] and [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Correspondent|first=Legal|date=2021-01-27|title=Conservationist joins SC panel on elephant corridor case|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/conservationist-joins-sc-panel-on-elephant-corridor-case/article33678554.ece|access-date=2021-01-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It includes the protected areas [[Mudumalai National Park|Mudumalai]], [[Mukurthi National Park|Mukurthi]], [[Nagarhole National Park|Nagarhole]], [[Bandipur National Park|Bandipur]], [[Silent Valley National Park]], and [[Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary|Wayanad]], [[Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary|Karimpuzha]] and [[Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary|Sathyamangalam]] wildlife sanctuaries.


A fascinating ecosystem of the hill ranges of Nilgiris and its surrounding environments covering a tract of over 5000 square kilometers was constituted as Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in September 1986 under Man and Biosphere Programme. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India's first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna. Tribal groups like the Badagas, Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Allar, Malayan, etc., are native to the reserve.<ref>[http://www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com/nilgiri-biosphere-info.html About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624034217/http://www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com/nilgiri-biosphere-info.html |date=24 June 2012 }} – www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com</ref> India's natural [[Gold]] fields are also located in the regions in and around Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve scattered in the states of [[Kolar Gold Fields|Karnataka]], [[Kerala]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3205_PART_A_MALAPPURAM.pdf |website= censusindia.gov.in |title=Physical divisions of Malappuram |pages = 21–22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dmg.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=61|title=Mineral Resources in Kerala}}</ref> and [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=The clandestine gold diggers of the Nilgiris|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-clandestine-gold-diggers-of-the-nilgiris/article23037081.ece|last=Premkumar|first=Rohan|date=10 March 2018|access-date=4 June 2021|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
A ecosystem of the hill ranges of Nilgiris and its surrounding environments covering a tract of over 5000 square kilometers was constituted as Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in September 1986 under Man and Biosphere Programme. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India's first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna. Tribal groups like the [[Badagas]], [[Toda people|Toda]], [[Kota people (India)|Kotas]], [[Irula people|Irulla]], [[Kurumba (tribe)|Kurumba]], [[Paniya people|Paniya]], [[Ravula|Adiyan]], Edanadan Chettis, Allar, Malayan are native to the reserve.<ref>[http://www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com/nilgiri-biosphere-info.html About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624034217/http://www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com/nilgiri-biosphere-info.html |date=24 June 2012 }} – www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com</ref> India's natural [[Gold]] fields are also located in the regions in and around Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve scattered in the states of [[Kolar Gold Fields|Karnataka]], [[Kerala]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/3205_PART_A_MALAPPURAM.pdf |website= censusindia.gov.in |title=Physical divisions of Malappuram |pages = 21–22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dmg.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=61|title=Mineral Resources in Kerala}}</ref> and [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=The clandestine gold diggers of the Nilgiris|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-clandestine-gold-diggers-of-the-nilgiris/article23037081.ece|last=Premkumar|first=Rohan|date=10 March 2018|access-date=4 June 2021|work=The Hindu}}</ref>


==Location==
==Etymology==
The reserve encompasses 5,520&nbsp;km² in the states of [[Tamil Nadu]] (2537.6&nbsp;km²), [[Karnataka]] (1527.4&nbsp;km²) and [[Kerala]] (1455.4&nbsp;km²). It forms an almost complete ring around the [[Nilgiri mountains|Nilgiri Plateau]]. The biosphere lies between 10°50′N and 12°16′N latitude and 76°00′E to 77°15′E longitude.
The word Nilgiri is derived from the [[Kannada language|Kannada]] word ''neeli'' meaning blue and ''giri'' meaning mountain.<ref> {{cite journal |author=Evans, T. |date=1886 |title=Tödas. Aborigines of the Nilgiri Hill, South India |journal=The Missionary Herald of the Baptist Missionary Society |pages=398–400 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xNAAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA398}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lengerke |first1=H.J.v. |title=The Nilgiris: Weather and Climate of a Mountain Area in South India |date=1977 |publisher=Steiner |place=Wiesbaden |isbn=9783515026406 |page=5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i1YlAAAAMAAJ|language=en}}</ref>


The reserve extends from the [[tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests]], [[tropical moist forests]] of the western slopes of the Ghats to the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests tropical dry forests on the east slopes. Rainfall ranges from 500mm to 7000mm per year. The reserve encompasses three ecoregions, the [[South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]], [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]], and [[South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests]].
== History ==
In the 1970s, an area of around {{cvt|5670|km2}} in the [[Nilgiri Mountains]] was proposed to be included in the list of [[biosphere reserves of India]]. This proposed area encompassed a forestry zone of {{cvt|2290|km2}}, a core zone of {{cvt|2020|km2}}, an agricultural zone of {{cvt|1330|km2}} and a restoration zone of {{cvt|30|km2}}. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in September 1986 and is India's first biosphere reserve under UNESCO's [[Man and the Biosphere Programme]].<ref name=Daniels1996>{{cite report |author=Ranjit Daniels, R.J. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Vijayan, V.S. |year=1996 |title=The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: A Review of Conservation Status with Recommendations for a Wholistic Approach to Management |series=Working Paper No. 16 |publisher=UNESCO South-South Co-operation Programme for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development in the Humid Tropics |place=Paris |url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001137/113753eo.pdf}}</ref>


==Fauna==
==Geography==
[[File:Royal bengal tiger Swimming.jpg|thumb|There are over 400 tigers in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.]]
[[File:Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.jpg|thumb|Map of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]]
Fauna includes over 100 species of mammals, 370 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of butterflies. It is home to mammals like the [[Bengal tiger]], [[Indian elephant]], [[Indian leopard]], [[chital deer]], [[gaur]], [[sambar deer]], [[dhole]], [[golden jackal]], [[Indian boar]], [[Nilgiri tahr]], [[Indian spotted chevrotain]], [[black buck]], [[Asian palm civet]], [[sloth bear]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[Nilgiri marten]], [[Indian crested porcupine]], [[Malabar giant squirrel]], [[honey badger]], [[Indian grey mongoose]], [[Indian pangolin]], [[Indian fox]], [[smooth coated otter]], and [[painted bat]]. The [[Indian python]], [[king cobra]], [[common krait]], [[Indian cobra]], [[Malabar pit viper]], [[Nilgiri keelback]], [[Oriental garden lizard]], ''[[Eryx whitakeri]]'' and [[mugger crocodile]] are reptiles found here. Primates such as the [[lion tailed macaque]], [[Nilgiri langur]], [[gray langur]] and [[bonnet macaque]]. The birds found here are [[Indian peacock]], [[Nilgiri laughing thrush]], [[Nilgiri flycatcher]], [[grey junglefowl]], [[Malabar pied hornbill]], [[Malabar parakeet]], [[great hornbill]], [[Nilgiri wood pigeon]], [[Indian vulture]], [[black-hooded oriole]], [[grey-headed bulbul]] and [[Malabar grey hornbill]]. Amphibians on the list are the [[purple frog]], [[Raorchestes silentvalley| Silent valley brush frog]], [[Malabar gliding frog]], [[Beddomixalus]] and many more. It is the only place in South India to have the exotic [[white tiger]].
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve extends over an area of {{cvt|5520|km2}} from the eastern part of [[Kodagu District]] to [[Erode District]] in the east and to the [[Palakkad Gap]] in the south with an elevation of {{cvt|80|to|2600|m}}. It has a buffer zone of {{cvt|4280|km2}} and core areas of {{cvt|1250.3|km2}}, comprising {{cvt|701.8|km2}} in Karnataka, {{cvt|264.5|km2}} in Kerala and {{cvt|274|km2}} in Tamil Nadu.<ref name=Daniels1996/>
 
The reserve extends from the [[tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests]], [[tropical moist forests]] of the western slopes of the Ghats to the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests tropical dry forests on the east slopes. Rainfall ranges from 500mm to 7000mm per year. The reserve encompasses three ecoregions, the [[South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests]], [[South Western Ghats montane rain forests]], and [[South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Wikramanayake |first=Eric D. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/48435361 |title=Terrestrial ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment |date=2002 |publisher=Island Press |others= |isbn=1-55963-923-7 |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=284-285 |oclc=48435361}}</ref>


==Flora==
==Flora==
{{Main|List of endemic plants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve}}
[[File:Shola_forest_from_Nilgiris.jpg|thumb|Shola forest in the Nilgiri Hills]]
[[File:Forests in Nilgiris biosphere reserve.jpg|thumb|Dense jungles in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]]
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours more than 3,700 plant species, including about 200 [[medicinal plants]]; the 132 [[endemic]] [[flowering plant]]s are contained in the [[list of endemic plants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]].<ref name=Daniels1996/>
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is very rich in plant diversity. [[Tropical rainforest]] habitat is dominant but [[Montane forest]] and [[Tropical moist forest]] habitats are also found. About 3,300 species of flowering plants can be seen here. Of the 3,300 species, 133 are endemic to the reserve. The genus ''[[Poeciloneuron]]'' is exclusively endemic to the Nilgiris. Some of the plants entirely restricted to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve include species of ''[[Adenoon]], [[Calycanthus]], [[Baeolepis]], [[Frerea]], [[Jarodina]], [[Wagatea]], [[Poeciloneuron]],'' etc.
Stunted [[evergreen]] trees grow in [[shola]] forest patches above {{cvt|1800|m}} and are festooned with [[epiphyte]]s.<ref name=Chandrashekara_al2006>{{cite journal |author1=Chandrashekara, U.M. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Muraleedharan, P.K. |author3=Sibichan, V. |year=2006 |title=Anthropogenic pressure on structure and composition of a shola forest in Kerala, India |journal=Journal of Mountain Science |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=58–70 |doi=10.1007/s11629-006-0058-0 |s2cid=55780505 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226385585}}</ref>


Of the 175 species of orchids found in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, eight are endemic. These include endemic and endangered species of ''[[Vanda]], [[Liparis (plant)|Liparis]], [[Bulbophyllum]]'' and ''[[Thrixspermum]]''. The [[Shola]] [[montane]] [[temperate grasslands]] of the reserve are a treasure house of rare plant species.
Tall trees above a height of {{cvt|18|m}} are used by the giant honey bee (''[[Apis dorsata]]'') for building nests, including the species ''[[Tetrameles]] nudiflora'', Indian laurel (''[[Ficus microcarpa]]''), Coromandel ebony (''[[Diospyros melanoxylon]]''), yellow snake tree (''[[Stereospermum tetragonum]]''), rusty kamala (''[[Mallotus tetracoccus]]'') and ''[[Acrocarpus]] fraxinifolius''.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Thomas, S.G. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Varghese, A. |author3=Roy, P. |author4=Bradbear, N. |author5=Potts, S.G. |author6=Davidar, P. |year=2009 |title=Characteristics of trees used as nest sites by ''Apis dorsata'' (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India |journal=Journal of Tropical Ecology |volume=25 |issue=5 |pages=559–562 |doi=10.1017/S026646740900621X|s2cid=22832468 |url=https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/15956/stri_Thomas_Varghese_Roy_Bradbear_Potts_and_Davidar_2009.pdf}}</ref> During the peak flowering season from January to May, at least 73 species blossom including [[teak]] (''Tectona grandis''), red cedar (''[[Erythroxylum monogynum]]''), hiptage (''[[Hiptage benghalensis]]''), large-flowered bay tree (''[[Persea macrantha]]''), zunna berry (''[[Ziziphus rugosa]]'') and creeping smartweed (''[[Persicaria chinensis]]''). They depend on [[pollination]] by giant honey bee, Asiatic honey bee (''[[Apis cerana]]''), red dwarf honey bee (''[[Apis florea|A. florea]]'') and ''[[Trigona]]'' bees.<ref name=Thomas_al2009>{{cite journal |author1=Thomas, S.G. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Rehel, M.S. |author3=Varghese, A. |author4=Davidar, P. |author5=Potts, S.G. |year=2009 |title=Social bees and food plant associations in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India |journal=Tropical Ecology |volume=50 |issue=1 |pages=79–88 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237584631}}</ref>


About 80% of flowering plants reported from [[Western Ghats]] occur in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.<ref>India:Physical Environment-P:66</ref>
==Fauna==
=== Birds ===
{{multiple image |perrow=1 |image1=The Black Chinned Laughingthrush.jpg|caption1=Nilgiri laughingthrush}}
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours 14 bird species that are [[endemic]] to the Western Ghats.<ref name=Daniels1996/> Of these, the [[Nilgiri laughingthrush]] (''Strophocincla cachinnans'') inhabits only higher elevations above {{cvt|1200|m}}.<ref>{{cite iucn |title=''Strophocincla cachinnans'' |author=BirdLife International|author-link=BirdLife International |year=2017 |page=e.T103874076A111175518}}</ref> Other endemics and near-endemics include [[Nilgiri wood pigeon|Nilgiri wood-pigeon]], [[Malabar grey hornbill]], [[Blue-winged parakeet|Malabar parakeet]], [[white-bellied treepie]], [[Nilgiri blue robin|white-bellied shortwing]], [[grey-headed bulbul]], [[grey-breasted laughingthrush]], [[rufous babbler]], [[Black-and-orange flycatcher|black-and-rufous flycatcher]], [[Nilgiri flycatcher]], and [[Nilgiri pipit]].<ref name=":0" />


==Core and buffer areas==
=== Mammals ===
The 1986 designation by the Government of India established core and buffer areas within the biosphere reserve.<ref>Ranjit Daniels, R. J. (1996). ''The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: A Review of Conservation Status with Recommendations for a Wholistic Approach to Management''. Working Paper No. 16, 1996. UNESCO (South-South Cooperation Programme), Paris. [http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001137/113753eo.pdf]</ref>
{{multiple image |perrow=1 |image1=2010-kabini-elephant-family.jpg |caption1=Asian elephants at the Kabini River}}
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and adjacent areas host the largest [[Asian elephant]] (''Elephas maximus'') population in India, estimated at about 5,750 individuals by 2007. Herds move in {{cvt|562|–|800|km2}} large [[home range]]s and congregate at perennial watersources during the dry season.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Baskaran N. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Kanakasabai, R. |author3=Desai, A.A. |year=2018 |title=Indian Hotspots |chapter=Ranging and spacing behaviour of Asian Elephant (''Elephas maximus'' Linnaeus) in the tropical forests of Southern India |location=Singapore |publisher=Springer |pages= 295–315|doi=10.1007/978-981-10-6605-4_15 |chapter-url= |isbn= 978-981-10-6604-7|editor1=Sivaperuman, C. |editor2=Venkataraman, K.}}</ref>


* Core area: 1250.3&nbsp;km² (701.8&nbsp;km² in Karnataka, 264.5&nbsp;km² in Kerala, 274&nbsp;km² in Tamil Nadu)
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2021}}
* Buffer area: 4280&nbsp;km²
Fauna includes over 100 species of mammals, 370 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of butterflies. It is home to mammals like the [[Bengal tiger]], [[Indian leopard]], [[chital deer]], [[gaur]], [[sambar deer]], [[dhole]], [[golden jackal]], [[Indian boar]], [[Nilgiri tahr]], [[Indian spotted chevrotain]], [[black buck]], [[Asian palm civet]], [[sloth bear]], [[four-horned antelope]], [[Nilgiri marten]], [[Indian crested porcupine]], [[Malabar giant squirrel]], [[honey badger]], [[Indian grey mongoose]], [[Indian pangolin]], [[Indian fox]], [[smooth coated otter]], and [[painted bat]]. Primates include the [[lion tailed macaque]], [[Nilgiri langur]], [[gray langur]] and [[bonnet macaque]].


==Protected Areas under biosphere==
=== Amphibians and reptiles ===
* [[Mudumalai National Park]]
Amphibians include [[purple frog]], [[Raorchestes silentvalley| Silent valley brush frog]], [[Malabar gliding frog]], [[Beddomixalus]]. Around fifty percent of India's amphibian species are endemic to the region, and around ninety species of reptiles including the genera [[Teretrurus rhodogaster|''Brachyopihidium'']], ''[[Dravidogecko]]'', [[Melanophidium wynaudense|''Melanophidum'']], ''[[Ristella]]'', ''[[Salea]]'', ''[[Plectrurus]]'', ''[[Teretrurus]]'', and ''[[Xylophis]]''.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Mukurthi National Park]]
 
* [[Nagarhole National Park]]
==Threats==
* [[Bandipur National Park]]
[[File:Bandipur fires 2019.jpg|thumb|Forest fire in Bandipur National Park in 2019]]
*[[Karimpuzha National Park]]
Shola forests outside protected areas are threatened by fragmentation, especially in the vicinity of settlements.<ref name=Chandrashekara_al2006/> The rapid and dense growth of the invasive ''[[Passiflora mollissima]]'' inhibits the regeneration of native tree species in the Shola forest patches.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Jose, F.C. |year=2012 |title=The 'living fossil' shola plant community is under threat in upper Nilgiris |journal=Current Science |volume=102 |issue=8 |pages=1091–1092 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287703029}}</ref>
* [[Silent Valley National Park]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2021}}
* [[Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary]]
Poaching, deforestation, forest fires and dangers to native tribes are the main threats. Despite poaching banned by law in 1972, people still tend to illegally hunt animals such as tigers, elephants and chital for skin, fur or tusks. Forests are being destroyed for farming or livestock. Animals that kill livestock are killed by farmers. Forest fires destroy vegetation. Native tribes are being evacuated from their homelands, resulting in loss of tribal culture.
* [[Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*[[Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary]]
*


==See also==
==See also==
{{Commons category|position=left|Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve}}
* [[Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education]]
* [[Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education]]
*[[Biosphere reserves of India]]


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Protected areas of Karnataka}}
{{Protected areas of Karnataka}}
{{Protected areas of Kerala}}
{{Protected areas of Kerala}}

Latest revision as of 10:04, 5 June 2022


Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Pic from Doddabetta Peak.jpg
Nilgiri Hills from the top of Doddabetta Peak
Map showing the location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Map showing the location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Map showing the location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Map showing the location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Map showing the location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Map showing the location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
LocationSouth India
Coordinates11°33′00″N 76°37′30″E / 11.55000°N 76.62500°E / 11.55000; 76.62500Coordinates: 11°33′00″N 76°37′30″E / 11.55000°N 76.62500°E / 11.55000; 76.62500
Area5,520 km2 (2,130 sq mi)
Established1986
Governing bodyTamilnadu forest department, Karnataka forest department, Kerala forest department, Project Tiger

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve in the Nilgiri mountains of the Western Ghats in South India. It is the largest protected forest area in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.[1] It includes the protected areas Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Nagarhole, Bandipur, Silent Valley National Park, and Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad, Karimpuzha and Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuaries.

A ecosystem of the hill ranges of Nilgiris and its surrounding environments covering a tract of over 5000 square kilometers was constituted as Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in September 1986 under Man and Biosphere Programme. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India's first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna. Tribal groups like the Badagas, Toda, Kotas, Irulla, Kurumba, Paniya, Adiyan, Edanadan Chettis, Allar, Malayan are native to the reserve.[2] India's natural Gold fields are also located in the regions in and around Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve scattered in the states of Karnataka, Kerala,[3][4] and Tamil Nadu.[5]

Etymology[edit]

The word Nilgiri is derived from the Kannada word neeli meaning blue and giri meaning mountain.[6][7]

History[edit]

In the 1970s, an area of around 5,670 km2 (2,190 sq mi) in the Nilgiri Mountains was proposed to be included in the list of biosphere reserves of India. This proposed area encompassed a forestry zone of 2,290 km2 (880 sq mi), a core zone of 2,020 km2 (780 sq mi), an agricultural zone of 1,330 km2 (510 sq mi) and a restoration zone of 30 km2 (12 sq mi). Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in September 1986 and is India's first biosphere reserve under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme.[8]

Geography[edit]

Map of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve extends over an area of 5,520 km2 (2,130 sq mi) from the eastern part of Kodagu District to Erode District in the east and to the Palakkad Gap in the south with an elevation of 80 to 2,600 m (260 to 8,530 ft). It has a buffer zone of 4,280 km2 (1,650 sq mi) and core areas of 1,250.3 km2 (482.7 sq mi), comprising 701.8 km2 (271.0 sq mi) in Karnataka, 264.5 km2 (102.1 sq mi) in Kerala and 274 km2 (106 sq mi) in Tamil Nadu.[8]

The reserve extends from the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical moist forests of the western slopes of the Ghats to the tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests tropical dry forests on the east slopes. Rainfall ranges from 500mm to 7000mm per year. The reserve encompasses three ecoregions, the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Western Ghats montane rain forests, and South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests.[9]

Flora[edit]

Shola forest in the Nilgiri Hills

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours more than 3,700 plant species, including about 200 medicinal plants; the 132 endemic flowering plants are contained in the list of endemic plants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.[8] Stunted evergreen trees grow in shola forest patches above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) and are festooned with epiphytes.[10]

Tall trees above a height of 18 m (59 ft) are used by the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata) for building nests, including the species Tetrameles nudiflora, Indian laurel (Ficus microcarpa), Coromandel ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon), yellow snake tree (Stereospermum tetragonum), rusty kamala (Mallotus tetracoccus) and Acrocarpus fraxinifolius.[11] During the peak flowering season from January to May, at least 73 species blossom including teak (Tectona grandis), red cedar (Erythroxylum monogynum), hiptage (Hiptage benghalensis), large-flowered bay tree (Persea macrantha), zunna berry (Ziziphus rugosa) and creeping smartweed (Persicaria chinensis). They depend on pollination by giant honey bee, Asiatic honey bee (Apis cerana), red dwarf honey bee (A. florea) and Trigona bees.[12]

Fauna[edit]

Birds[edit]

Nilgiri laughingthrush

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours 14 bird species that are endemic to the Western Ghats.[8] Of these, the Nilgiri laughingthrush (Strophocincla cachinnans) inhabits only higher elevations above 1,200 m (3,900 ft).[13] Other endemics and near-endemics include Nilgiri wood-pigeon, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar parakeet, white-bellied treepie, white-bellied shortwing, grey-headed bulbul, grey-breasted laughingthrush, rufous babbler, black-and-rufous flycatcher, Nilgiri flycatcher, and Nilgiri pipit.[9]

Mammals[edit]

Asian elephants at the Kabini River

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and adjacent areas host the largest Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population in India, estimated at about 5,750 individuals by 2007. Herds move in 562–800 km2 (217–309 sq mi) large home ranges and congregate at perennial watersources during the dry season.[14]

Fauna includes over 100 species of mammals, 370 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of butterflies. It is home to mammals like the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, chital deer, gaur, sambar deer, dhole, golden jackal, Indian boar, Nilgiri tahr, Indian spotted chevrotain, black buck, Asian palm civet, sloth bear, four-horned antelope, Nilgiri marten, Indian crested porcupine, Malabar giant squirrel, honey badger, Indian grey mongoose, Indian pangolin, Indian fox, smooth coated otter, and painted bat. Primates include the lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, gray langur and bonnet macaque.

Amphibians and reptiles[edit]

Amphibians include purple frog, Silent valley brush frog, Malabar gliding frog, Beddomixalus. Around fifty percent of India's amphibian species are endemic to the region, and around ninety species of reptiles including the genera Brachyopihidium, Dravidogecko, Melanophidum, Ristella, Salea, Plectrurus, Teretrurus, and Xylophis.[9]

Threats[edit]

Forest fire in Bandipur National Park in 2019

Shola forests outside protected areas are threatened by fragmentation, especially in the vicinity of settlements.[10] The rapid and dense growth of the invasive Passiflora mollissima inhibits the regeneration of native tree species in the Shola forest patches.[15]

Poaching, deforestation, forest fires and dangers to native tribes are the main threats. Despite poaching banned by law in 1972, people still tend to illegally hunt animals such as tigers, elephants and chital for skin, fur or tusks. Forests are being destroyed for farming or livestock. Animals that kill livestock are killed by farmers. Forest fires destroy vegetation. Native tribes are being evacuated from their homelands, resulting in loss of tribal culture.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Correspondent, Legal (27 January 2021). "Conservationist joins SC panel on elephant corridor case". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  2. ↑ About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) Archived 24 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine – www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com
  3. ↑ "Physical divisions of Malappuram" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. pp. 21–22.
  4. ↑ "Mineral Resources in Kerala".
  5. ↑ Premkumar, Rohan (10 March 2018). "The clandestine gold diggers of the Nilgiris". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  6. ↑ Evans, T. (1886). "Tödas. Aborigines of the Nilgiri Hill, South India". The Missionary Herald of the Baptist Missionary Society: 398–400.
  7. ↑ Lengerke, H.J.v. (1977). The Nilgiris: Weather and Climate of a Mountain Area in South India. Wiesbaden: Steiner. p. 5. ISBN 9783515026406.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Ranjit Daniels, R.J. & Vijayan, V.S. (1996). The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: A Review of Conservation Status with Recommendations for a Wholistic Approach to Management (PDF) (Report). Working Paper No. 16. Paris: UNESCO South-South Co-operation Programme for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development in the Humid Tropics.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Wikramanayake, Eric D. (2002). Terrestrial ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, D.C.: Island Press. pp. 284–285. ISBN 1-55963-923-7. OCLC 48435361.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chandrashekara, U.M.; Muraleedharan, P.K. & Sibichan, V. (2006). "Anthropogenic pressure on structure and composition of a shola forest in Kerala, India". Journal of Mountain Science. 3 (1): 58–70. doi:10.1007/s11629-006-0058-0. S2CID 55780505.
  11. ↑ Thomas, S.G.; Varghese, A.; Roy, P.; Bradbear, N.; Potts, S.G. & Davidar, P. (2009). "Characteristics of trees used as nest sites by Apis dorsata (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India" (PDF). Journal of Tropical Ecology. 25 (5): 559–562. doi:10.1017/S026646740900621X. S2CID 22832468.
  12. ↑ Thomas, S.G.; Rehel, M.S.; Varghese, A.; Davidar, P. & Potts, S.G. (2009). "Social bees and food plant associations in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India". Tropical Ecology. 50 (1): 79–88.
  13. ↑ BirdLife International (2017). "Strophocincla cachinnans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T103874076A111175518.
  14. ↑ Baskaran N.; Kanakasabai, R. & Desai, A.A. (2018). "Ranging and spacing behaviour of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus Linnaeus) in the tropical forests of Southern India". In Sivaperuman, C. & Venkataraman, K. (eds.). Indian Hotspots. Singapore: Springer. pp. 295–315. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-6605-4_15. ISBN 978-981-10-6604-7.
  15. ↑ Jose, F.C. (2012). "The 'living fossil' shola plant community is under threat in upper Nilgiris". Current Science. 102 (8): 1091–1092.

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