Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in South India.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in South India covering parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka states, and including several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries within its boundaries. The landscape changes from dense rainforests at lower elevations to open grasslands on plateaus, with each zone hosting its own plant and animal species.
The protected zone was established in 1986 and became the first of its kind in the country to receive recognition from UNESCO. The initiative arose to secure a large continuous forest area in the Western Ghats and protect its wildlife.
Several tribal communities continue to live here following handed-down patterns and maintain crafts closely tied to the plants and animals around them. Visitors can sometimes see handwoven textiles or handmade baskets at market stalls in villages at the edge of the reserve.
Several information centers are located near the main entrances and provide maps and guidance about trails and observation points. The best time to visit is between October and May when paths are dry and animal sightings are more common.
Scientists work here with local communities to document old forest management techniques that have been passed down through generations. Some of these methods have helped researchers develop new approaches to preserving ecosystems in tropical mountain regions.
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