International Journal of Ecosystem 2015, 5(4): 91-98 DOI: 10.5923/j.ije.20150504.01 Status of Nilgiri Biosphere in 2015 Shobha Kumari Molecular Lab, Department of Anthropology, North Campus, University of Delhi Abstract Biosphere Reserves are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal or marine ecosystems or a combination there of and representative examples of bio-geographic zones or provinces. These regions of environmental protection roughly correspond to International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Category V Protected areas in which one of them is Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve represents a Biodiversity-rich ecosystem in the Western Ghats-a global biodiversity hotspot also provides an ideal habitat for supporting a high degree of endemic flora and fauna. A variety of human cultural diversity can be found in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Aim of the present study is to highlight the status of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in 2015. The objective of the present study is in the increasing population or migration from surrounding areas rather than the population growth of indigenous people in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has been enduring human interference for a very long time through development projects such as hydroelectric power projects, agriculture, horticulture, etc., which have brought about substantial change in the ecology of the area. Many environmental problems are noticed in different parts of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. But from the efforts of conservation law the forest cover has no negative change after 1999 which indicates that strict conservation efforts were taken up by state forest departments of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Keywords Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Flora and fauna, Interference, Conservation The UNESCO has introduced the designation ‘Biosphere of knowledge and experiences to link biodiversity Reserve’ for natural areas to minimize conflict between conservation and socio-economic development while development and conservation. Biosphere Reserve are managing and containing the conflicts. nominated by national government which meet a minimal set d) Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal and of criteria and adhere to minimal set of conditions for rural modes of living for harmonious use of inclusion in the world network of Biosphere reserves under environment (Mof, 2015) the Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme of UNESCO. Structure and functions of BR: According to UNESCO, There are total there are 631 Biosphere reserves are demarcated into following 3 biosphere reserves in 119 countries, including 14 Trans inter-related zones: boundary sites. They are distributed as follows: Core Zone: Core zone must contain suitable habitat for a) 64 in 28 countries in Africa numerous plant and animal species, including higher order b) 27 in 11 countries in the Arab States predators and may contain centres of endemism. Core areas c) 130 in 23 countries in Asia and the Pacific often conserve the wild relatives of economic species and d) 290 in 36 countries in Europe and North America also represent important genetic reservoirs having e) 120 in 21 countries in Latin America and the exceptional scientific interest. The core area(s) comprises a Caribbean. strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the Some facts that decide the feature of Biosphere Reserves: conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation. A core zone being National Park or Sanctuary/ a) An area must contain an effectively protected and protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) minimally disturbed core area for nature conservation. Act, 1972. Whilst realizing that perturbation is an ingredient b) The core area should be a bio-geographical unit and of ecosystem functioning, the core zone is to be kept free large enough to sustain viable populations from l human pressures external to the system. representing all trophic levels in the ecosystem. Buffer Zone: The buffer zone adjoins or surrounds core c) The management authority to ensure the involvement zone, uses and activities are managed in this area in the ways and cooperation of local communities to bring variety that help in protection of core zone in its natural condition. These uses and activities include restoration, demonstration * Corresponding author: [email protected] (Shobha Kumari) sites for enhancing value addition to the resources, limited Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/ije recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing, etc. which are permitted Copyright © 2015 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved to reduce its effect on core zone. Research and educational 92 Shobha Kumari: Status of Nilgiri Biosphere in 2015 activities are to be encouraged. India’s Biosphere Reserves: India’s Biosphere Reserves Transition Zone: The transition area is the outermost part often include one or more National Parks or sanctuaries of a biosphere reserve, includes settlements, crop lands, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. managed forests and area for intensive recreation and other Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the economic uses characteristics of the region. It is the part of protected region but also for the human communities who the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering inhabit these regions and their ways of life. economic and human development that is socio-culturally Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: and ecologically sustainlabe. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere Functions of BR: There are main three functions reserve in India established in the year 1986. It is located in • Conservation the Western Ghats and includes two of the ten bio • Development and geographical provinces of India. A wide range of ecosystems • Logistic support. and species diversity is found in this region. Thus, it was a a) To conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and natural choice for the premier biosphere reserve of the animals within natural ecosystems country. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was established b) To safeguard genetic diversity of species on which their mainly to fulfill the following objectives: continuing evolution depends a) To conserve insitu genetic diversity of species c) To ensure sustainable use of natural resources through b) To restore degraded ecosystems to their natural most appropriate technology for improvement of conditions economic well-being of the local people c) To provide baseline data for ecological and d) To provide areas for multi-faceted research and environmental research and education monitoring d) To function as an alternate model for sustainable e) To provide facilities for education and training development. Figure 1. Objective of a Biosphere Reserve International Journal of Ecosystem 2015, 5(4): 91-98 93 Table 1. List of Biosphere Reserves in India Name of the Biosphere Date of S. No. Reserve total geographical area Location in the State (s)/Union Territory Designation (Km2) Part of Wynad, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai, Nilambur, Silent Valley and 1 Nilgiri (5520) 01.08.1986 Siruvani hills in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. 2 Nanda Devi (5860.69) 18.01.1988 Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Almora districts in Uttarakhand. 3 Nokrek (820) 01.09.1988 Part of East, West and South Garo Hill districts in Meghalaya. Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and Darang districts in 4 Manas (2837) 14.03.1989 Assam. 5 Sunderban (9630) 29.03.1989 Part of delta of Ganges & Brahamaputra river system in West Bengal. India part of Gulf of Mannar extending from Rameswaram island in the North to 6 Gulf of Mannar (10500) 18.02.1989 Kanyakumari in the South of Tamil Nadu. 7 Great Nicobar (885) . 06.01.1989 Southern most island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 8 Similipal (4374) 21.06.1994 Part of Mayurbhanj district in Orissa. 9 Dibru-Saikhova (765). 28.07.1997 Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts in Assam 10 Dehang-Dibang (5111.5). 02.09.1998 Part of Upper Siang, West Siang and Dibang Valley districts in Arunachal Pradesh 11 Pachmarhi (4981.72) 03.03.1999 Part of Betul, Hoshangabad and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh 12 Khangchendzonga (2931.12) 07.02.2000 Part of North and West districts in Sikkim. Part of Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu and 13 Agasthyamalai (3500.36) 12.11.2001 Thiruvanthapuram, Kollam and Pathanmthitta districts in Kerala. Achanakmar- Amarkantak Part of Anuppur and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh and Bilaspur district of 14 30.03.2005 (3,835. 51) Chattisgarh 15 Kachchh (12,454) 29.01.2008 Part of Kachchh, Rajkot, Surendranagar and Patan districts in Gujarat. Pin Valley National Park and surroundings; Chandratal & Sarchu; and Kibber 16 Cold Desert (7,770) 28.08.2009 Wildlife sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh. Seshachalam hill ranges in Eastern Ghats encompassing part of Chittoor and 17 Seshachalam (4755.997) 20.09.2010 Kadapa districts in Andhra Pradesh. 18 Panna (2998.98) 25.08.2011 Part of Panna and Chhattarpur districts in Madhya Pradesh Source: World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO Source: UNESCO Figure 2. Location of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve 94 Shobha Kumari: Status of Nilgiri Biosphere in 2015 Location and Geography: Park, Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park), Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley National Park. The total area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is 5,520 sq. km. It is located in the Western Ghats between 76°-