Focus: GS III: Environment and Ecology
Why in News?
PM visits Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves
About Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
- Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- It is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1st Biosphere Reserve in India) along with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the West, Bandipur National Park (Karnataka) in the North, Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley in the South.
- The Reserve has tall grasses, commonly referred to as ‘Elephant Grass’, a variety of Bamboos, several species of endemic flora and valuable timber species.
- The Tiger and Asian Elephant are the Flagship Species of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, along with a wide variety of more than 260 species of birds
Bandipur Tiger Reserve
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve is located in one of the richest biodiversity areas of India representing the “Western Ghats Mountains Biogeography Zone”. It is a recognized Mega Biodiversity Area, and home to rich floral and faunal diversity.
- Establishment: The reserve was established in 1973 under Project Tiger. In 1985, it was enlarged by including adjacent areas from Venugopala Wildlife Park and renamed as Bandipur National Park.
- Location: Bandipur Tiger Reserve is situated in two contiguous districts of Karnataka (Mysore and Chamarajanagar) and is located at the tri-junction area of the states Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- Surrounding Areas: The reserve is surrounded by Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the south, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the southwest, and the Kabini Reservoir separates the Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on the northwest side.
