Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve – As of 2024, there are 18 biosphere reserves in India. Panna Biosphere Reserve in Madhya Pradesh was the latest biosphere reserve in India declared in the year 2011. In all 18 biosphere reserves, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the first and largest biosphere reserve in India. So in this post, important facts related to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve such as its map, geography, bio-diversity, flora-fauna, and information about the protected areas located in its area have been shared.
What is a Biosphere Reserve?
- A biosphere reserve is an ecosystem consisting of terrestrial, coastal, or marine areas, which protects flora and fauna.
- According to UNESCO – “Biosphere Reserves are places of learning for sustainable development”.
- Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation given by UNESCO to symbolic parts of natural and cultural landscapes that include large areas of terrestrial, coastal, or marine ecosystems, or a combination of these.
Also read – भारत के 18 बायोस्फियर रिज़र्व मानचित्र
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the Nilgiri mountain range in South India.
- In 1986, it was declared the first Biosphere Reserve of India.
- The word Nilgiri comprises the Tamil language Neelam [which Means – Blue] and the Sanskrit language Giri [Means – Mountain]. That is why the Nilgiri Mountains are also called the Blue Mountains.
- In the year 2000 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was included by UNESCO in its Man and Biosphere Program.
The map given below shows the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve location.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Geography
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is spread over 3 states of South India Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Its total area is 5520 km2 while in the states it is spread over 2537.06 km2 in Tamil Nadu, 1455.4 km2 in Kerala, and 1527.4 km2 in Karnataka. The extensions of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve total area are given below.
- Transition Area – The area of transition area of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is 706 km2 and it is spread over Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- Buffer Area – The area of the buffer area of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is 3574 km2 and its extension is also in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- Core Area – The area of core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is 1250.3 km2 and its main part is spread over the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous montane shola forests as well as grasslands are found in the core area.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Biodiversity
Due to the altitude and climatic gradient of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, maximum bio-diversity is found here. It receives rainfall between 500-7000 mm every year. The reserve consists of 3 eco-zones –
- South-Western Ghats Moist Deciduous Forest
- South-Western Ghats mountain rainforest
- South Deccan Plateau Dry Deciduous Forest
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Flora and Fauna
- The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to 14 species of birds that are endemic to the Western Ghats. These birds include the Nilgiri wood pigeon, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bulbul, etc.
- More than 100 species of mammals, 370 species of birds, 39 species of fish, 80 species of reptiles, and 31 species of amphibians are found in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. These mainly include major animals like tiger, elephant, gaur, barking deer, Nilgiri Tahr, wild boar, lion-tailed macaque, chital, etc.
- More than 3700 plant species are found in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which includes 200 medicinal plants and 132 endemic flower species. The Nilgiri Mountains are known as the Blue Mountains because of the blue Kurunji flower found here.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Consists of

The following are the protected areas included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve –
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve consists of | |||
S.N. | Protected Area | State | Area (KM2) |
1. | Sathyamanglam Tiger Reserve | Tamil Nadu | 1408.06 |
2. | Mudumalai National Park | Tamil Nadu | 321 |
3. | Mukurthi National Park | Tamil Nadu | 78.46 |
4. | Bandipura National Park | Karnataka | 912.04 |
5. | Nagarhole National Park | Karnataka | 642.39 |
6. | Silent Valley National Park | Kerala | 89.52 |
7. | Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala | 55 |
8. | Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala | 344 |
9. | Karimapuzha Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala | 227.97 |
Now we are going to discuss all protected areas consisting of the Nilgiri biosphere reserve in detail.
Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is a protected area located in Erode district of the state of Tamil Nadu in the Eastern Ghats mountain range.
- In the year 2013, an area of 1408 sq km was declared a Tiger Reserve.
- According to the census of 2019, there are 83 tigers and 111 leopards here.
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is known as the Gateway to the Eastern Ghats as the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve has a wildlife corridor connecting the Western and Eastern Ghats.
Mudumalai National Park
- Mudumalai National Park is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu state and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- This national park shares a border with the states of Karnataka and Kerala.
- It was established in 1940 and its area is 321 sq km.
- On its west it is situated Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and on its north Bandipur National Park.
- It is also a tiger reserve.
Mukurthi National Park
- Mukurthi National Park is located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu state in South India.
- In the year 2001, it was given the status of a National Park.
- This national park is spread over an area of 78.46 sq km and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- This national park was created for the protection of Nilgiri Tahr, the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
Bandipur National Park
- Bandipur National Park is located in the Chamarajanagara district of the state of Karnataka and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- In the year 1931, an area of 90 sq km was declared Venugopal Wildlife Park by the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore.
- In the year 1973, by including an area of 800 sq km in Venugopal Wildlife Park, it was given the status of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and in 2001 it was officially given the status of National Park.
- Bandipur National Park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Nagarhole, Mudumalai National Park, and Wayanad Complex; it is the largest habitat of Asian elephants.
Rajiv Gandhi Nagarhole National Park
- Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu and Mysore districts of the state of Karnataka.
- It was declared as a National Park in the year 1988 and its total area is 642.39 sq km.
- Nagarhole National Park was declared the 37th Tiger Reserve of India in the year 1999 and Project Elephant was started here in the year 2000.
- Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve are situated in the southeast of this national park, Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary in the north, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the southwest.
- Kabini Reservoir separates Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park.
Silent Valley National Park
- Silent Valley National Park is located in the Malappuram and Palakkad districts of the state of Kerala and the Nilgiris district of the state of Tamil Nadu.
- This national park is spread over an area of 89.52 km2 in the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- Silent Valley National Park was discovered in 1847 by botanist Robert Waite
- It was declared a Reserved Forest in the year 1914 and a National Park in the year 1984 and the year 1986 it was included in the core area of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- Karimapuzha Wildlife Sanctuary is located near New Amrabalam Reserved Forest, Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley National Park.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, and Karimapuzha Wildlife Sanctuary located in the state of Kerala are also located in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve GK FAQs
Question – In which state is the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve located?
Answer – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and its total area is 5520 sq km.
Question – Which is the first biosphere reserve of India?
Answer – In 1986, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was declared the first Biosphere Reserve of India.
Question – At present how many biosphere reserves are there in India?
Answer – At present, there are 18 biosphere reserves in India, out of which the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the largest and most important.
Question – Which is the largest biosphere reserve in India?
Answer – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, spread over the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, is the largest biosphere reserve in India and its total area is 5520 sq km.
Question – Which is the smallest biosphere reserve in India?
Answer – Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve located in the state of Assam is the smallest Biosphere Reserve in India and its total area is 765 sq km.
Question – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is famous for which animal?
Answer – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is mainly famous for animals like tiger, elephant, gaur, barking deer, Nilgiri tahr, wild boar, lion-tailed macaque, chital, etc.
Question – Which protected areas are included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve?
Answer – The following are the protected areas included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve [Tamil Nadu]
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve [Tamil Nadu]
- Mukurthi National Park [Tamil Nadu]
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve [Karnataka]
- Nagarhole Tiger Reserve [Karnataka]
- Quiet Valley National Park [Kerala]
- Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary [Kerala]
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary [Kerala]
- Karimapuzha Wildlife Sanctuary [Kerala]
In this article, important facts related to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve have been shared with you through the map. I hope you have liked this article.