UPSC Prelims 2019 Q27: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
- (a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
- (b) Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park
- (c) Koundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mudumalai National Park
- (d) Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunsagar - Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Answer: (a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Explanation
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve: Constituent Protected Areas
| Option | Included PAs | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Neyyar, Peppara, Shendurney WLS + Kalakad-Mundanthurai TR | CORRECT - All lie within Agasthyamalai BR in southern Western Ghats (Kerala + Tamil Nadu). |
| (b) | Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Wayanad WLS + Silent Valley NP | Wrong - these are in Nilgiri BR. |
| (c) | Koundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram, Papikonda WLS + Mudumalai NP | Wrong - Andhra/TN mixed, not Agasthyamalai. |
| (d) | Kawal, Sri Venkateswara WLS + NSTR | Wrong - Telangana/Andhra Nallamala tract, not Agasthyamalai. |
Agasthyamalai BR (designated 2001, UNESCO 2016) spans Kerala + Tamil Nadu at the southern tip of Western Ghats around Agastya Mala peak (1868 m). Endemic biodiversity hotspot.
Answer: (a).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Agasthyamalai BR includes Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney WLS (Kerala) and Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu).
- (b) Incorrect. Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Wayanad and Silent Valley are in Nilgiri BR.
- (c) Incorrect. Koundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram, Papikonda are in Andhra/Telangana - not Agasthyamalai.
- (d) Incorrect. Kawal and Sri Venkateswara + NSTR are in Nallamala/Telangana - not Agasthyamalai.
Key point
Agasthyamalai BR = Neyyar, Peppara, Shendurney (Kerala) + Kalakad-Mundanthurai TR (TN). UNESCO listed 2016. Southern tip Western Ghats.
Remember
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (Kerala + Tamil Nadu, southern Western Ghats) includes Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala and the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. It is a UNESCO-listed biodiversity hotspot around Agastya Mala peak.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Agasthyamalai BR with Nilgiri BR (which has Mudumalai, Bandipur, Silent Valley, Wayanad, Sathyamangalam).
- Assuming Kalakad-Mundanthurai TR is separate from Agasthyamalai BR - it is a core zone within.
- Not knowing Shendurney WLS is famed for lion-tailed macaque and endemic Nilgiri tahr habitat.
Exam tip
Western Ghats Biosphere Reserves: (1) Nilgiri BR (first in India, 1986) - Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Wayanad, Silent Valley, Sathyamangalam. (2) Agasthyamalai BR (2001) - Neyyar, Peppara, Shendurney, Kalakad-Mundanthurai. (3) Nilgiri and Agasthyamalai are both UNESCO listed.
Sources
- Ministry of Environment - Biosphere Reserves list
- UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme - Agasthyamalai BR listing