The concept of Biosphere Reserves was introduced by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under its Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) during 1971. A Biosphere Reserve is voluntary, co-operative, conservation area created to protect the biological and cultural diversity of a region while promoting sustainable economic development. It is a place where local people, government officials and environmental groups work collaboratively on conservation and developmental issues. Biosphere Reserves are relatively larger areas and are highly relevant as they stand for landscape level conservation, beyond even state or nation borders.
Nilgiri, also the first BR of India, extending to Karnataka and Agasthyamalai stretching to Tamil Nadu are the two Biosphere Reserves of Kerala.
| Sl.
No |
Name of BR | Extent (Sq. Km) | Forests areas included as Kerala part |
| 1 | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve | 1455.40 | · Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
· Silent valley National Park · Nilambur South (New Amarambalam, Karimpuzha) · Mannarkkad (Attappady) · Palakkad (Siruvani Reserved Forests) · Nilambur North, (Chakkikuzhy, Kozhipara, Punchakolly, Ex.Karulai Range (Nilambur Kovilakom) · Kozhikode (Kuttyadi, Thamarassery, Vested Forests) · Wayanad South (Kalpetta) |
| 2 | Agasthya
malai Biosphere Reserve |
1828 | · Neyyar wildlife sanctuary
· Peppara wildlife sanctuary · Shendurney wildlife sanctuary · Achencoil division · Thenmala division · Konni division · Punalur division · Thiruvananthapuram division · Agasthyavanam Biological Park Range.
|