NEWS: A new checklist has documented 3,261 flowering plant species in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR), reaffirming it as a major centre of plant diversity and endemism.

ABOUT

• Located in the southern Western Ghats, across Kerala + Tamil Nadu.
• Area → about 3,500 sq km.
• Peaks → up to 1,868 m.
• Tropical monsoon climate + heavy rainfall → rich biodiversity.

FLORAL DIVERSITY

• 3,261 species + 26 subspecies + 28 varieties.
• Belong to 1,139 genera + 190 families.

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Strong affinity with Sri Lanka → 347 shared taxa.
• Possible reasons → historical land connections + common Gondwana history + climatic similarities.
• 102 taxa show affinity with tropical American flora.

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE

• Important rivers originate here → Thamirabarani + Neyyar + Karamana.
• Supports biodiversity + water security + agriculture + human settlements.
• Protected areas → Shendurney + Peppara + Neyyar + Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

TRIBAL + CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Home to the Kani tribe, known for traditional knowledge of medicinal plants.
• Associated with Sage Agastya, Ayurveda + Siddha traditions.
• Represents the link between biodiversity + traditional knowledge + culture.

CONSERVATION STATUS

• Established → 2001.
• Included in UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves → 2016.
• Biosphere reserve approach → Core + Buffer + Transition zones.
• Important for carbon storage + climate regulation + water conservation + biodiversity protection.