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Question 27

Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

AOptions

A) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

B) Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley National Park

C) Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park

D) Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

BSolution

The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) is a significant ecological region located in the Western Ghats of South India, spanning across the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It was designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2016. The reserve encompasses several protected areas. The core and buffer zones of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve include the Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala, and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. This combination of protected areas makes up a vital biodiversity hotspot within the Western Ghats.

CStrategy

For questions identifying the components of Biosphere Reserves, National Parks, or Wildlife Sanctuaries, rote memorization combined with geographical understanding is key. Creating mind maps or using mnemonics for major protected areas and their constituent parts can be very effective. Familiarity with the location of these reserves on a map is also crucial.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question is from the Environment & Ecology and Indian Geography sections of the UPSC Prelims syllabus, specifically dealing with Biosphere Reserves and Protected Areas in India.

EQuestion Analysis

Medium. This question requires specific factual knowledge about the protected areas within a particular biosphere reserve, which can be challenging to remember without dedicated study.