Rapid Fire
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
- 11 Apr 2025
- 1 min read
The Supreme Court has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to carry out a detailed survey of the Agasthyamalai landscape to identify any non-forestry activities and encroachments.
- Aim of the Survey: To identify all instances of non-forestry activities that violate statutory laws like the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- To provide comparative forest cover data to reveal the extent of degradation.
- Key Areas Under Survey: Periyar Tiger Reserve
- Agasthyamalai: It is part of a 3,500 sq. km biosphere reserve recognised by UNESCO.
- It stretches across Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the southernmost stretch of the Western Ghats.
- The Neelakkurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years, grows in this landscape.
- Lion-Tailed Macaque, Bengal Tiger, Nilgiri Marten, Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar Spiny Dormouse, Great Pied Hornbill, Gaur (Indian bison), Sloth Bear found in this region.
- The region is inhabited by indigenous communities, especially the Kani tribe.
| Read More: Agasthyavanam Biological Park |
