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The biosphere reserve concept was initiated by UNESCO. They launched the Man and the Biosphere Programme in 1971. A biosphere reserve is built with the motive to protect the biological and natural diversity of an area and provide shelter to numerous species of plants and animals in their natural habitat. Several officials of the government and social activists work together for the development of a biosphere and to resolve its environmental issues. The first biosphere reserve in Kerala was Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
The Government of India established biosphere reserves to protect and preserve natural parks. In addition, there are buffer zones, areas open for economic uses. In India, there are 17 biosphere reserves.
List of biosphere reserves in Kerala:-
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Kerala
It was the first biosphere reserve in Kerala. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Kerala is located in the Western Ghats. It is an international biosphere reserve and is also under consideration by UNESCO to be declared a World Heritage Site.
Location
The reserves encircle 5,520 km sq. in the state of Tamil Nadu ( 2537.6 km sq),
Karnataka ( 1527.4 km sq.)and Kerala ( 1455.5 km sq ). It forms a hoop around the Nilgiri Plateau.
Ecology
The natural vegetation varies from montane hindered Shola forest amidst the grasslands down the upper plateau. On the east, progressively lies deciduous thorn scrub forest. Due to its climate and altitudinal gradient, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Kerala serves as a shelter for numerous animals.
The Nilgiri Tahr and the lion-tailed macaque are found in the evergreen forests here. Also, there are elephants and tigers throughout the region. Wayanad Sanctuary of Kerala and the Nagarhole National Park of Karnataka are a part of this biosphere reserve on the north side.
There is an ample population of wild pigs, spotted deer, gaur, and sambar, which support many carnivores like tigers and leopards. Kabini river encircles the forest, but its level has lowered because of the building of an irrigation dam.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is divided into major zones:-
- 1. Manipulation Forestry Zone – 3238.7 sq. km(58.6%)
- 2. Core Zone – 1240.3 sq. km (22.5%)
- 3. Restoration Zone – 706.4 sq. km ( 12.8%)
- 4. Tourism Zone- 335.0 sq. km ( 5.1%)
Fauna and Flora
In the rich ecosystem of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, there are around 90 mammals species, 40 species of fish, 75 species of reptiles, 300 varieties of birds, 30 species of amphibians, and 300 species of butterflies.
The reserve also has a very generous plant diversity: 1232 endemic and 3300 species.
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
This biosphere reserve covers 3600.37 sq. km, out of which Kerala has around 1727 sq. km and Tamil Nadu with 1681 sq. km. The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve was established in 2001. It is located at the southern end of the Western Ghats. It comprises of tropical forests. Like Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Kerala, UNESCO World Heritage Committee had been considering making Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve a World Heritage Site.
Location
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve extends to the border of Thiruvananthapuram and the Kollam district of Kerala. Tamil Nadu districts like Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli are also included, with a part of the Western Ghats at the southern end.
It includes Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries and Neyyar Peppara. Their adjoining areas are Thenmala, Achencoil, Konni divisions, and Agasthyavanam special division. The reserve is also surrounded by the parts of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli District in Thiruvananthapuram and Tamil Nadu, Kollam and Pathanamthitta District in Kerala.
Ecology
It is the habitat of medicinal plants of 2000 varieties. Moreover, it provides shelter to animals like Asian elephants, Nilgiri Tahr, leopards, and tigers. It is also said that Agasthyamalai is the territory of the ancient Kanikaran tribes.
The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is divided into three major zones listed below :
- Transition Zone – 1828 sq. km
- Core Zone- 352 sq. km
- Buffer Zone – 681 sq. km
Fauna and Flora
The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is a region with abundant biodiversity and high floral endemism. It is a complete representation of the biota of Southern Western Ghats. The site is the wealthiest repository of medicinal plants, a variety of vegetation types available in the peninsula, and wild varieties of domesticated crops. Additionally, it is home to several endangered animals, amphibians, primates, reptiles, and fishes.
Conclusion
The biosphere reserves in Kerala protect and preserve the national parks it encompasses. Here, we discussed the first biosphere reserve in Kerala, the two biosphere reserves of Kerala, including their location, ecology and flora, and fauna. The biosphere reserve in Kerala plays a crucial role in providing shelters and conserving the natural reserves, environment, territories, habitats, and rare species.
