Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Natural Vegetation"
Meaning
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve was set up in 2001 in the southern Western Ghats, across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A biosphere reserve is a large natural area with three zones: a strictly protected core, a buffer for research and limited use, and a transition zone where people live and use resources carefully. Agasthyamalai is rich in medicinal plants and is home to the Kani tribe. It is on UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Example
The Kani people live in the Agasthyamalai hills on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. Their knowledge of local medicinal plants makes the reserve important for both conservation and traditional knowledge.
Don't confuse with
- Wildlife sanctuary: a sanctuary is declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. A biosphere reserve is a central government scheme and is not a category under that Act.
Related concepts
- Biosphere reserve
- Man and Biosphere Programme
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
- Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
- Manas Biosphere Reserve
- Sunderban Biosphere Reserve
- Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
- Similipal Biosphere Reserve