The Biosphere Reserve acts as a unique genetic reservoir for cultivated plants, like- Cardamom, Jamune, Nutmeg, Pepper and Plantain. The Agasthyamalai Biosphere also holds some major wildlife sanctuaries, namely- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The Biosphere reserve is also inhabited by many tribal settlements, amounting up to a total population of 3,000. These communities rely majorly on the biological resources for their survival.
Where is Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve located?
The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve stands on the border of the districts of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram (in the state of Kerala) and the districts of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari (in the state of Tamil Nadu). It lies between 8째 8' to 9째 10' North Latitude and 76째 52' to 77째 34' East Longitude. Along with the three wildlife sanctuaries of Shendurney, Neyyar and Peppara; it also includes the adjoining areas of Achencoil, Thenmala, Konni, Punalur, Thiruvananthapuram Divisions and Agasthyavanam Special Division in Kerala and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Hence, the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve covers areas of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts in Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta Districts in Kerala. The Biosphere Reserve was set up in 2001 and covers an area of 3,500 sq. km.
Ecology
Flora- Apart from inhibiting 2,000 varieties of medicinal plants and about 50 rare and endangered species, Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve includes the Indian Eco regions of South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Western Ghats montane rain forests and Shola. It is home to about 400 Red Listed Plants and over 125 species of orchids and rare, endemic and threatened plant species. Almost one-fourth of India's total plant species are found here. Arogyapacha, one such famous and rare medicinal plant is found here.Fauna- This Biosphere Reserve hosts about 79 species of mammals (out of which 20 species are endemic), 88 species of reptiles (out of which 45 species are endemic), 45 species of amphibians (out of which 30 species are endemic), 46 species of fishes (out of which 10 species are endemic) and 337 species of birds (out of which 20 species are endemic). Some of the rare animals found here are Tiger, Ancient Elephant and Nilgiri Tahr.
Socio-economic Characteristics
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is also home to the Kani tribes from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With over 30,000 inhabitants here, the Kani tribe is one of the oldest surviving ancient tribes in the world. It is also known as Kanikaran. This tribal settlement relies on the biological resources for their survival here. The area's indigenous tribe, Kanikaran, relies on the forests and its 14 rivers for their sustenance. They indulge in activities like fishing, agriculture and hunting. They are widely popular for their immense knowledge about medicinal plants and usually reside in huts of bamboo here. Many of these people work as guides to acquaint the visitors about the biosphere reserve. Nowadays, many programs are started to curb the exploitation of biological resources by these settlements by UNESCO.Management
The scientific management of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is done by the guidelines of the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests by the coordination of a local committee and a state level Biosphere management committee. This Biosphere Reserve plays a crucial role in the diversity of our country and hence should be protected and properly managed.
