Which one of the following biosphere reserves is spread over three States in India? 

The correct answer is Nilgiri.

Key PointsNilgiri Biosphere Reserve

• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a unique and fascinating region in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills in South India. It is renowned for its ecological significance and biodiversity conservation.
• It spans across three states in India: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, making it the first and most prominent biosphere reserve in India to cover multiple states.
• The reserve encompasses a protected area of over 5,520 square kilometers, providing habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna, including several endangered and endemic species.
• It was declared as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2000, highlighting its global importance for conservation and sustainable development.
• The region is characterized by varied ecosystems, ranging from tropical moist forests to montane grasslands, which support a rich diversity of life forms.
• It plays a crucial role in the conservation of several key species like the Tiger, Asian Elephant, and the Nilgiri Tahr.
• Cultural significance is also paramount in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, with indigenous communities such as the Toda, Kurumba, and others, maintaining their traditional lifestyles that are closely linked with the natural environment.

Hence, the statement regarding Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve spreading over three States in India is correct.

Additional Information

• Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.
• UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme works with international governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as local communities, to develop Biosphere Reserves as sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
• The Western Ghats, where the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is located, is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity.