Question

Write a note on the 1st Biosphere reserve of India?

Answer 1

Hint: This biosphere reserve is a part of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It was established in 1986. Biosphere reserves are in several cases used to test and illustrate integrated soil, water and biodiversity management in 'living laboratories'.

Complete Answer:
- Reserves are terrestrial and coastal ecosystem areas which promote solutions to combine biodiversity conservation with sustainable use.
- In addition to a traditional national park or an animal sanctuary, the Indian Government has developed 18 biosphere reserves, which may include one or more national parks or animal sanctuary, as well as buffer zones that are open to economic uses. Safety is given not only to the protected area's flora and fauna, but also to human populations living in and around these areas.
- The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, part of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, is India's first biosphere reserve. This biosphere reserve was established in 1986. It covers 2,537.6 square kilometer in Tamil Nadu, 1,527.4 square kilometer in Karnataka and 1,455.4 square kilometer in Kerala. The reserve covers its territory 5,520 square kilometer. Around the famous Nilgiri Plateau it forms nearly an entire ring.
- The biosphere reserve Nilgiri has a rich diversity of plants. There are approximately 3,300 kinds of floral plants here. 133 of the 3,300 species in the reserve are endemic. The Poeciloneuron genus is endemic exclusively to the Nilgiris. Of the 175 orchid species found in the Biosphere Reserve, eight are endangered.
- Some plants are entirely limited to the Biosphere Reserve, such as Calycanthus, Jarodina, Baeolepis, Jarodina, Wagatea, Adenoon, Poeciloneuron, Frerea, etc. Fauna consists of more than 100 mammals, 370 bird species, 80 reptile species, approximately 39 fish species, 31 amphibians and 316 butterfly species.
- It includes the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, gaur, Indian elephant, mongoose, lion-tailed macaque, malabar, nilgiri langur, grey langur, and nilgiri tahr.

Note: The Biosphere reserves are protected areas from invasion by human beings. These regions contribute to the survival of threatened species. Three harmonizing functions should be performed in every biosphere reserve. It preserves genetics, animals, habitats and landscapes. It promotes sustainable human and economic growth and encourages study and study of environment and sustainable development problems.