Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
- 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.Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park
- D.Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. These protected areas lie at the southern tip of the Western Ghats, where the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve spreads across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The reserve was notified in 2001 and added to UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. It takes its name from Agasthyamala peak and covers the Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney sanctuaries on the Kerala side and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve on the Tamil Nadu side. The area is rich in medicinal plants and is home to the Kani tribe, who are known for sharing their knowledge of the arogyapacha plant.
B is wrong: Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Wayanad and Silent Valley belong to the Nilgiri landscape and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
C is wrong: Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda are in Andhra Pradesh, and Mukurthi is in the Nilgiris.
D is wrong: Kawal is in Telangana, and Sri Venkateswara and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam are in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Exam tip: Agasthyamala = Neyyar + Peppara + Shendurney + KMTR; Kerala-Tamil Nadu; UNESCO list 2016.
Practice Questions
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