Impact of Deforestation on Asian Elephants
Deforestation has led to the loss of approximately 15% of Asian elephants’ former habitats in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and Bhadra Tiger Reserve due to agriculture and changing land use.
A total of 6,761 square kilometers of elephant habitats were destroyed, while agricultural areas expanded by 7,123 square kilometers.
Between 2008 and 2011, there were 624 recorded incidents of human-elephant interactions, such as crop-raiding and attacks, that occurred near or in areas where deforestation was most severe.
The destruction of habitats has isolated elephant populations, making them more vulnerable and leading to increased conflicts with humans as elephants venture into agricultural areas.
Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR)
The very name Nilgiris’ with literary meaning ‘blue mountains’ has originated from the appearance of blue flower clad mountains (Neelakurinji flowers)
The reserve spans across three Indian states: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
It was the first biosphere reserve in India established in 1986.
It is the India’s first biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.
Home to several tribal groups such as the Adiyan, Aranadan , Kader , Kurichian , Kuruman , and Kurumbas.
It portray the confluence of Afro-tropical and Indo-Malayan biotic zones of the world.
Animals like Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, slender loris, blackbuck, tiger, gaur, Indian elephant and marten are found here.
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley are the protected areas present within this reserve
Bhadra Tiger Reserve
It is located in the midst of the Western Ghats region of Karnataka.
It is surrounded by hill ranges of Mullaianagiri, Hebbegiri, Gangegiri, and Babaudangiri.
It is also located near the Bhadra river and its tributaries such as Somavahini, Thadabehalla, and Odirayanahalla
It has dry-deciduous, moist-deciduous, shola, and semi-evergreen patches.
Flora: Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi and many medicinal plants etc.
Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Leopard cat, Dholes, Indian Civet, ungulates like Gaur, Sambar and Barking Deer are common.
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