UPSC Prelims 2005 Q82: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Which one of the following is not a Biosphere Reserve?
- (a) Agasthyamalai
- (b) Nallamalai
- (c) Nilgiri
- (d) Panchmarhi
Answer: (b) Nallamalai
Explanation
Biosphere Reserves of India
| Name | Status |
|---|---|
| Agasthyamalai | Biosphere Reserve (2001), Kerala and Tamil Nadu |
| Nilgiri | Biosphere Reserve (1986), the first |
| Panchmarhi | Biosphere Reserve (1999), Madhya Pradesh |
| Nallamalai | Not a Biosphere Reserve — a forest range with a tiger reserve |
Nallamalai is a hill range with the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, but it is not a Biosphere Reserve.
Answer: (b) Nallamalai.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Agasthyamalai is a Biosphere Reserve.
- (b) CORRECT. Nallamalai is not a Biosphere Reserve.
- (c) Incorrect. Nilgiri was the first Biosphere Reserve in India.
- (d) Incorrect. Panchmarhi is a Biosphere Reserve.
Key point
First Biosphere Reserve: Nilgiri (1986); also Nanda Devi, Sundarbans, Gulf of Mannar, Pachmarhi.
Remember
Nallamalai is not a Biosphere Reserve.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every hill range with a tiger reserve is a Biosphere Reserve.
- Mixing Panchmarhi (MP) with Pachmarhi spelled differently.
- Forgetting Agasthyamalai was added in 2001.
Exam tip
Biosphere Reserve and National Park are different designations.
Sources
- MoEF — Biosphere Reserves of India
- UNESCO — Man and the Biosphere Programme: World Network of Biosphere Reserves (Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Pachmarhi)