Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Why in News?
Declining and erratic rainfall in the Nilgiris has raised concerns over the impact of climate change on the forests and ecological balance of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR). A 2024 study found significant changes in forest phenology and rainfall patterns across the region. 

• The study “Mapping Forest Phenological Shift in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Western Ghats: Response to Climate Change” found that average rainfall declined by 3.97 mm annually between 1950 and 2018.
• Climate-induced changes are affecting multiple forest types, with the impact most pronounced in Shola forests.
• Dry scrub forests located at lower elevations have also experienced changes.

About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve lies within the Western Ghats and represents the tropical forest biome.
• Major vegetation types include evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests, montane Sholas and grasslands.
• The Karnataka portion largely consists of dry deciduous forests, along with patches of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and scrub forests.
• Shola forests are montane cloud forests occurring in the folds and valleys of the Nilgiri hills. They are old-growth ecosystems supporting several endemic and rare species.
• The name Nilgiris means “Blue Mountains”, referring to the characteristic blue appearance of the hills.
• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established in 1986 and was the first biosphere reserve established by India under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
• The changing rainfall regime and unpredictable seasons can disrupt forest phenology, water availability, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

Source: TH

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