Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

Why in News?

The Supreme Court recently expressed concern over the Tamil Nadu government’s failure to remove long-standing encroachments in the Agasthyamalai landscape. The Court observed that the issue requires a structured, time-bound and closely monitored framework for effective implementation.

The Court noted that encroachments within protected areas have continued for decades despite directions issued earlier by the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court.

Key Points

The encroachment issue concerns protected areas within the Agasthyamalai landscape, including:

• Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
• Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve
• Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary

About Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is located in the southern Western Ghats, covering parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

It has peaks reaching approximately 1,868 metres above sea level and was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in March 2016.

The biosphere reserve covers approximately 3,500 sq km across the Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu and the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts of Kerala.

The landscape encompasses diverse tropical forest ecosystems and is recognised for its rich biodiversity and ecological significance.

The biosphere reserve includes several important protected areas, including:

• Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
• Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
• Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

The region is also inhabited by tribal communities, particularly the Kani tribe, found in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Many tribal settlements have traditionally depended heavily on biological resources from the forests for their livelihoods and sustenance. Various initiatives have been undertaken to reduce excessive dependence on forest resources.

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