Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

Why in News?

A new checklist of flowering plants in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) has been compiled by the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Thiruvananthapuram. The study documented 3,261 species, 26 subspecies and 28 varieties, belonging to 1,139 genera and 190 families. The findings highlight the high level of endemism and biogeographical significance of the Western Ghats and underline the need for region-specific conservation strategies.

About Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is located at the southernmost end of the Western Ghats and covers about 3,500 sq km. It includes peaks reaching up to 1,868 metres above sea level and encompasses diverse tropical forest ecosystems.

The reserve extends across Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts of Kerala. It includes Shendurney, Peppara and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

The ABR is also home to the Kani tribal community of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It became part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. The reserve is significant for its rich biodiversity, high endemism and biogeographical links with Sri Lankan and tropical American flora.

Sources: The Hindu & UNESCO

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