The Western Ghats :-
The Western Ghats, also called the Sahyadri, are a north-south chain of mountains or hills that mark the western edge of the Deccan plateau region. They rise abruptly from the coastal plain of the Arabian Sea as an escarpment of variable height, but their eastern slopes are much gentle. The Western Ghats contain a series of residual plateaus and peaks separated by saddles and passes. The hill of Mahabaleshwar, located on a laterite plateau, is one of the highest elevations in the northern half, rising to 4,700 feet (1,430 metres). The chain attains greater heights in the south, where the mountains terminate in several uplifted blocks bordered by steep slopes on all sides.
Those include the Nilgiri Hills, with their highest peak, Doda Betta (8,652 feet [2,637 metres]) and the Anamalai, Palini and Cardomom hills, all three of which radiate from the highest peak in the Western Ghats, Anai Peak (Anai Mudi, 8,842 feet [2,695 metres]).
The Western Ghats receive heavy rainfall, and several major rivers—most notably the Krishna and the two holy rivers, the Godavari and the Kaveri (Cauvery)—have their headwaters there.
Nilgiri Hills:-
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere reserve in India established in the year 1986. It is located in the Western Ghats and includes 2 of the 10 biogeographically provinces of India. Wide ranges of ecosystems and species diversity are found in this region. Thus, it was a natural choice for the premier biosphere reserve of the country.
Geographical factors of Nilgiri Hills:-
The total area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is 5,520 sq. km. It is located in the Western Ghats between 76°- 77°15‘E and 11°15‘ - 12°15‘N. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve encompasses parts of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The annual rainfall of the reserve ranges from 500 mm to 7000 mm with temperature ranging from 0°C during winter to 41°C during summer.
The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve falls under the biogeography region of the Malabar rain forest. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Wyanaad Wildlife Sanctuary Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley are the protected areas present within this reserve.
A fascinating ecosystem of the hill ranges of Nilgiris and its surrounding environments covering a tract of over 5000 square kilometers was constituted as Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in September 1986 under Man and Biosphere Programme. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India's first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna.
Tribal groups in Nilgiri Hills:-
The Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Allar, Malayan, etc., are native to the reserve.
Fauna of Nilgiri Hills:-
Fauna includes over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of butterflies. It includes the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard and Black Panther, Gaur, Indian Elephant, Mongoose, Malabar gaint squirrel, Lion-tailed macaque, Gray langur and Nilgiri Tahr.
It has largest population of two endangered species- Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr.
