Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, declared on

September1st 1986, is the first Biosphere
Reserve in the Country. It covers an area of
2

5520.40 km encompassing the three State of

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The

Kerala Part of the Reserve consists of an

2

extent of 1455.40 km , of which 264.50 km is

2

the Core Zone, 945.87 km is Forestry Buffer

and 245.90 km

is the Restoration Zone.

During 2000, NBR has been included in the

World Network of Biosphere Reserves

Kerala Part of NBR

Sl.No.

Name of the Division

Area in Km

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

344.50

Silent valley National Park

89.50

Nilambur South (New Amarambalam, Karimpuzha)

Mannarkkad (Attappady)

Palakkad (Siruvani Reserved Forests)

Nilambur North, (Chakkikuzhy, Kozhipara, Punchakolly,

Ex.Karulai Range (Nilambur Kovilakom)

Kozhikode (kuttyadi, Thamarassery, Vested Forests)

Wayanad South (Kalpetta)

..
633.90

Total

387.60
1455.40

The Kerala part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has varied physiographical characteristics ranging
from medium to steep slopes, pains, valleys and plateaus. The altitude in the Kerala portion of Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve ranges from 300 m to 2395 m.

The area harbours 3500 species of flowering plants, which include 1500 endemics of the Western
Ghats, and 1030 species of animals comprising of 100 species of mammals, 550 species of birds, 80
species of reptiles, 30 species of amphibians and 300 species of butterflies; many more species of flora
and fauna from the region are yet to be identified and described.
The forest types of the area consist of Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Dry
Deciduous, Grasslands and Shola forests.
Management Problems
The major management problems in the area are the following

Increasing man-animal conflicts, especially in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Forest fires, in core, manipulation and restoration zones in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Nilambur
North and South Divisions, Mannarkkad Forest Division and Silent Valley National Park

Poaching,

Inadequate communication facilities

Erosion and siltation in manipulation and restoration zones in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary,
Wayanad, Nilambur and Mannarkkad Forest Divisions

Dependency of people for grazing and collection of firewood and NTFP in manipulation and
restoration zones of Mannarkkad, Nilambur North and South Divisions, Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary and Wayanad North Divisions

Over exploitation of fish resources, by both non destructive and destructive methods.

Management Interventions Proposed

Activities proposed in NBR are as per the guidelines issued by Government of India, which includes,
1. Conservation and Development: The broad categories of activities proposed under this head
include value addition activities, setting up of pilot projects, habitat improvement activities, and
rehabilitation of landscape of threatened species and ecosystem, development of ecotourism, socioeconomic upliftment of local communities and protection and maintenance of corridors. Activities such
as making bamboo/reed/lantana handicrafts,

setting up of NTFP processing units, encouraging

continuance of traditional crops like rice, horticultural crops, vegetables and tubers etc, in-situ
conservation of economically important species / RET species, medicinal plant cultivation etc are
proposed under this head.

Habitat improvement activities proposed include improvement of

waterholes, construction/maintenance of check dams, soil moisture conservation, fire tracing, and
maintenance of trek path, river bank protection, weed eradication and engaging protection/fire
protection watchers. Rehabilitation of landscape of threatened species such as Lion tailed macaque,
Gyps vulture, Strobilanthus sp, etc are proposed. Activities proposed for developing ecotourism

include training to EDC/VSS members for better management of ecotourism activities and
development of infrastructure and purchase of equipments and field gears. Activities for improving
the living standards of local communities, providing training to them for improving livelihood options
and providing better amenities are also proposed.

For maintenance and protection of elephant

corridors, eco-restoration activities, construction and maintenance of barriers to restrict elephants

from straying into human habitations, payment of ex-gratia for damages by elephant to life and
property people, immunization of fringe area cattle etc are proposed.
2. Research and Monitoring: It is proposed to carry out research studies related to better management
of the forests and biodiversity of the NBR area by giving special emphasis to the management issues
in the area. It is also proposed to conduct periodic monitoring of the wildlife population of the area.
Procurement of equipments such as rain gauges, GPS, computers, binoculars etc are also proposed.
3. Education and Training: Development of infrastructure for education and training activities including
construction of buildings for education and interpretation, procurement of education materials such as
books, production of documentaries highlighting biosphere reserve and its conservation significance,
procurement of audio visual equipments, training to the IB watchers, guides, EDC/VSS members and
various categories of staff, conducting nature education camps, medical camps etc are proposed.