The name ’Nilgiris’ with literary meaning ‘blue mountains’ has originated from the blue flower-clad mountains of the Nilgiris plateau within the State of Tamil Nadu.
It was the first biosphere reserve in India established in the year 1986. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
The total area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is 5,520 sq. km.
It is located in the Western Ghats and encompasses parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The confluence of Biotic zones: It exemplifies the tropical forest biome which portrays the confluence of Afro-tropical and Indo-Malayan biotic zones of the world.
Many of the major tributaries of the river Cauvery like the Bhavani, Moyar, Kabini, and other rivers like Chaliyar, Punampuzha, etc., have their source and catchment areas within the reserve boundary.
Tribal groups like the Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Cholanaickens, Allar, Malayan, etc., are native to the reserve.
The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mukurthi National Park, and Silent Valley are the protected areas present within this reserve.
Additional Information
Sundarbans
It is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
It spans from the Hooghly River in India’s state of West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh’s division of Khulna.
The Nanda Devi National Park or Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
It was established in 1982.
In the year 1988, Nanda Devi National Park and its surrounding area were declared as Biosphere Reserve under the MAB programme of UNESCO.
It is a national park situated around the peak of Nanda Devi in Chamoli Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, in northern India.
The entire park lies at an elevation of more than 3,500 m above mean sea level.
The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve
It is a non-use conservation area and biosphere reserve in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh state in central India.
The conservation area was created in 1999 by the Indian government. It also contains animals from the Himalayan peaks and the lower western ghats.
There are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India established by the government that protect large areas of natural habitats.
List of Biosphere Reserves in India is given below:
S. No.
Biosphere Reserve
State
1
Cold Desert
Himachal Pradesh
2
Nanda Devi
Uttrakhand
3
Khangchendzonga
Sikkim
4
Dehang-Debang
Arunachal Pradesh
5
Manas
Assam
6
Dibru-Saikhowa
Assam
7
Nokrek
Meghalaya
8
Panna
Madhya Pradesh
9
Pachmarhi
Madhya Pradesh
10
Achanakmar-Amarkantak
Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgarh
11
Kachchh
Gujarat
12
Similipal
Odisha
13
Sundarban
West Bengal
14
Seshachalam
Andhra Pradesh
15
Nilgiri
Tamil Nadu & Kerala
16
Gulf of Mannar
Tamil Nadu
17
Agasthyamala
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala
18
Great Nicobar
Andaman & Nicobar Island
Hence, the correct answer is – Nokrek.Additional Information
Biosphere reserves are the protected areas meant for the conservation of plants and animals. It also restores the traditional life of the tribals living in that vicinity. They conserve the biodiversity of that area.
Out of 18 biosphere reserves, ten have been included in the world network of biosphere reserves. They are:
Manas Tiger Reserve is situated in the Himalayan foothills of Assam.
Key Points
Manas Tiger Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Manas National Park is a national park, a tiger reserve, an elephant reserve, and a biosphere reserve.
Manas National Park gets its name from the River Manas, which flows through the reserve and is also the major tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
Sprawling in a large area of 950 sq km, the national park shares a border with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park and is also home to species like Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, and pygmy hog.
Additional Information
Assam
Kamarupa is the old name of Assam.
Assam is known as the ‘Tea Garden of India’.
Assam is the leading producer of tea in India.
Assam is known as the ‘Gateway to the North Eastern Statesof India’.
Assam shares international boundaries with Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Guwahati is known as the ‘light of the east’.
Guwahati High court is the largest jurisdiction in terms of states (4 states).
Jorhat is the cultural capital of Assam.
The Brahmaputra is known as Sorrow of Assam.
Manas National Park is famous for Royal Bengal Tigers.
Kaziranga National Park is famous for its one-horned rhinoceros.
Orang National Park is known as the Mini Kaziranga.
Dibru Saikhova in Assam is the smallest biosphere reserve in India.
Majuli Island is the biggest riverine island in the world is situated in the river Brahmaputra.
Bhupen Hazarika Bridge or Dhola Sadiya bridge is the longest bridge in India, over the River Lohit, in Assam.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is the first state formed on a linguistic basis.
Sriharikota is the only satellite launching station in India.
Kolleru is one of the largest freshwater lake in India.
Andhra Pradesh is known as the ‘Kohinoor of India’.
Andhra Pradesh is known as the ‘Granary of South India’ and Egg Bowl of India’.
India’s first submarine museum was set up in Vishakapatnam.
Andhra Pradesh is the first South Indian state to implement Panchayat Raj.
The famous temple Tirupati is in Andhra Pradesh.
Karnataka
The old name of Karnataka was Mysore.
Mysore is the cultural capital of Karnataka.
Mysore became Karnataka on 1st November 1973.
Kempe Gowda is the architect of Bengaluru City.
India’s first cyber police station set up in Bengaluru.
Karnataka is the first state in India to launch a health Adalat.
The headquarter of ISRO is in Bengaluru.
Bengaluru is known as the ‘Electronics city’, ‘City of Suicide’, ‘Silicon valley of India’.
The biggest dome in India is at Bijapur, Karnataka.
Kolar gold mine is situated in Karnataka.
Tipu Sultan Muesem is loctaed at Srirangapattanam.
Kodagu is known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Hockey’.
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is almost covered by the Himalayas.
Arunachal Pradesh is the eastern-most state in India.
Arunachal Pradesh is known as the Land of Rising Sun and Land of dawn.
Arunachal Pradesh is known as the Orchid State of India and Paradise of Botanist.
Tawang is the largest Buddhist Monastery.
Arunachal Pradesh is the first North-East state to have an e-Cabinet System.
The Wildlife Protection Act came into existence in the year 1972.
The Indian Parliament enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972, which provides for the safeguard and protection of the wildlife (flora and fauna) in the country.
Additional Information
Its aim is to provide protection and proper management of wild animals, birds and other species.
The Act lays down restrictions on hunting of many animal species.
Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India.
It established in 1936 to protect the endangered Bengal tiger.
It is located in the Nainital district and Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand.
It was initially named Hailey National Park, after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the then governor of the United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand).
Later, it was renamed Ramganga National Park and finally Jim Corbett National Park in the late 1950s, after Jim Corbett, a well-known British hunter, tracker, naturalist, and author who had played a key role in its establishment.
Additional Information
Punjab:
Punjab is a primarily agricultural state and is famous for its cuisine.
The state is the site of the Golden Temple, a significant Sikh shrine, and is also known for its Bhangra music and dance.
Himachal Pradesh:
It is Located in the western Himalayas, this state is renowned for its breathtaking mountain landscapes
It is popular hill stations like Shimla (the state capital), Manali, and Dharamshala.
Uttar Pradesh:
This is the most populous state in India.
It is known for its rich history and is home to several important cultural and historical sites, including the Taj Mahal in Agra and the holy cities of Varanasi, Mathura, and Allahabad.
Dachigam National Park lies on the east side of Dal Lake in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, approximately 22 kilometers (14 miles) from Srinagar city.
Its total size is approximately 141 square kilometers, or 54 square miles.
The name literally stands for ‘ten villages’, which could be in memory of the ten villages that were relocated in order to create the park.
Dachigam was initially established to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to Srinagar city.
A protected area since 1910, it was declared a national park in 1981.
The park is best known as the home of the hangul, or Kashmir stag.
Dachigam is open throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between April and August.