UNESCO Lists India's Agasthyamala Forests Among World Network Of Biosphere Reserves

Agasthyamala, a unique and highly divers ecosystem in the Western Ghats has been recognised by the UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.

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Agasthyamala covers the Shendurney and Peppara wildlife sanctuaries and parts of the Neyyar sanctuary in Kerala and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.

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The International Co-ordinating Council added the new sites during a two-day meeting on March 19, 2016 in Lima, bringing the total number of biosphere reserves to 669 sites in 120 countries.

NEW: 20 sites added to UNESCO¡¯s World Network of Biosphere Reserve. Read more: https://t.co/tXMmHjB91L #proudtoshare pic.twitter.com/2F3d9hb9CB

¡ª UNESCO (@UNESCO) March 19, 2016

"Located in the Western Ghats, in the south of India, the Agasthyamala biosphere reserve includes peaks reaching 1,868 metres above sea level. Consisting mostly of tropical forests, the site is home to 2,254 species of higher plants including about 400 that are endemic," UNESCO said.

"It is also a unique genetic reservoir of cultivated plants especially cardamom, jamune, nutmeg, pepper and plantain. Three wildlife sanctuaries, Shendurney, Peppara, Neyyar and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger reserve are included in the site", it said.

agasthyakoodam

agasthyakoodam

The popular trekking route is a hotspot of biodiversity with flora and fauna, some of them not found anywhere else on the earth.

Dr. Abu Laize C.B.

Dr. Abu Laize C.B.

Researchers have identified about 400 Red Listed Plants here. About 125 species of orchids and rare, endemic and threatened plants have been recorded from the reserve.

Locals even claim that a pygmy specious of elephant locally known as 'Kallana' (stone elephant) which is yet to be recognised by scientists live in the Peppara.

Despite being a part of the local legend of generations it has only been pictured once in 2013 by a wildlife photographer.

Sali Palode

Agasthyamala is the 10th Indian Biosphere Reserve that made it to the list.

Other Indian reverser that made it in the list earlier are Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sunderban, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarh, Similipal, Achanakmar-Amarkantak and Great Nicobar.