From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? [2017]

From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
Nallamala Forest
Nagarhole National Park
Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

Located in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located at the strategic confluence of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
It forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and connects several major protected areas, including BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai National Park, and Bandipur National Park.
Vegetation: Dry deciduous forest and grasslands.
Major Fauna: Bengal tiger, elephant, gaur, leopard, spotted deer, blackbuck, sambar deer, barking deer.
Threats: Rampant poaching of tigers and elephants.

Map showing Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with various wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries, national parks, and tiger reserves marked using different colored labels and dots. Key locations include Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Mudumalai NP-TR, and Point Calimere WLS, highlighting important biodiversity hotspots and conservation areas across the region.

Option (b) is incorrect

Nallamala Forest is one of the largest undisturbed stretches of forest in South India (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). It is located in the Nallamala Hill which is a part of the Eastern Ghats.
The forest has a good tiger population, and a part of the forest belongs to the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve.

Option (c) is incorrect

Nagarhole National Park, also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is located in Kodagu and Mysore districts in Karnataka. It is located in the foothills of Western Ghats.
It is recognised as an Important Bird Area.
Jenu Kurubas (honey-collecting tribe) live in this park.
Vegetation: Moist & dry deciduous forests, swamp forests, and bamboo.
Major Flora: Rosewood, teak, sandalwood and silver oak.
Major Fauna: Bengal tiger, leopard, Indian elephant, chital, chausingha, gaur, mugger (marsh crocodile).
Threats: Tourism, fragmentation of forests, poaching.

Map of Karnataka and Goa showing wildlife sanctuaries (WLS), national parks (NP), and tiger reserves (TR) with labeled locations and boundaries. Color-coded markers highlight key protected areas such as Nagarahole NP, Bandipur NP-TR, Bhadra TR, and MM Hills WLS-TR, illustrating distribution and connectivity of conservation zones.

Option (d) is incorrect

The Seshachalam Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats (south of Panna River) in southern Andhra Pradesh. Tirupati, a major Hindu pilgrimage town and Srivenkateshwara National Park are located in these ranges.
Major Flora: rare and endemic plant species like Red Sanders (NT) are of great economic importance.
Major Reptilian Fauna: Golden Gecko (LC – Endemic To Tirumala Hills).

Map of Biosphere Reserves in India showing locations marked with red and blue labels, where red indicates reserves part of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme and blue indicates reserves established solely by India. Key reserves include Cold Desert BR, Nanda Devi BR, Sundarbans BR, and Great Nicobar BR, with geographic distribution spanning from northern Himalayas to southern islands.

Answer: (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve; Difficulty Level: Hard

2017, PYQs