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Survey to Restore Agasthyamalai Forests and Protect Wildlife
Context:
In a significant move to safeguard the ecologically vital Agasthyamalai landscape, the Supreme Court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to carry out a comprehensive survey of the region’s tropical forest ecosystems.
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- The objective is to identify non-forestry activities and encroachments that threaten biodiversity and forest conservation efforts in the southernmost part of the Western Ghats.
- Justice Mehta instructed the CEC to document all ongoing non-forestry activities that violate the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The survey will cover key protected areas including the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thirunelveli Wildlife Sanctuary.
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
- The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) is a significant ecological and cultural site located in the southernmost part of the Western Ghats in India.
- Established in 2001, it spans across the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, covering an area of approximately 3,500 km².
- It was recognised as part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.
Ecology and Biodiversity
- Flora: The reserve hosts over 2,254 species of higher plants, including approximately 405 endemic species.
- It is a repository of medicinal plants, with around 2,000 varieties, including rare species like Arogyapacha.
- Vegetation types include tropical wet evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, montane rainforests, and Shola forests.
- Fauna: The region is home to diverse wildlife:
- 79 species of mammals, including Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, and Nilgiri tahrs.
- 337 bird species, with 20 endemic ones.
- Endemic species among reptiles (45), amphibians (30), and fishes (10).
Protected Areas
The biosphere reserve incorporates several wildlife sanctuaries:
- Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
- Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
- Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Cultural Significance
- The reserve is inhabited by tribal communities like the Kanikkarans, who are considered one of the oldest surviving tribes.
- These communities depend largely on biological resources for their sustenance. Efforts have been made to reduce their reliance on forest resources.
