KMTR - BIODIVERSITY

Presented By,
A. Subash, XI - A
Hilton Matric. Hr. Sec.
School,
Old Courtallam
 Contents
Biodiversity
About KMTR
KMTR Super Hot Spot of Biodiversity
Types of Forests
Water Resources
Floral Significance
Faunal Significance
Threats to biodiversity
Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Conservation Foundation
Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement
Project
Strategies for Conservation of Biodiversity
 Biodiversity or Biological diversity is a term that
describes the variety of living beings on earth.

Biological diversity encompasses microorganism,

plants, animals and ecosystems such as coral reefs,
forests,rainforests, deserts etc.

Biodiversity also refers to the number, or abundance

of different species living within a particular region.

It represents the wealth of biological resources

available to us
 Kalakad Mundanthurai
Tiger Reserve(KMTR)
KMTR is the 17th and Southern most Tiger
Reserve in India and one of the four Tiger
Reserves in Tamil Nadu.

The tiger Reserve forms part of the South

Western Ghats.

KMTR was formed by combining the two

sanctuaries of Kalakad and Mundanthurai
during April 1988
 KMTR
KMTR is a super hotspot of biodiversity
and it is also a global heritage of
biodiversity, Forming a part of the
inter-state (Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
Agasthiyarmalai Biosphere Reserve.

This part of Agasthiyarmalai hills in the

core of KMTR is considered one of the
five centres of biodiversity and
endemism in India by the
International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Western Ghats, Agasthiyarmalai

Sub-Cluster, including all of Kalakad
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, has been
declared as the UNESCOs Natural
World Heritage in the year 2012.
 KMTR Super Hot Spot of
Biodiversity
One of the two mega biodiversity hotspots and centers of
endemism in India.
KMTR forming part of the southern Western Ghats includes
part of the Agasthiyarmalai Biosphere Reserve which is
recognized as one of the five important centers of Plant
species diversity in India
One of the 24 Micro centers of endemism in India.
The forests of KMTR has wide variations in floristic
composition.
The Reserve is the southernmost home to some of the
charismatic and endangered mammals such as the Nilgiri Tahr,
Lion Tailed Macaque and the Tiger.
One of the large patches of Non-Equatorial Rain Forests and
wet evergreen forests located away from the equatorial region.
 Biodiversity @ KMTR
Floral Diversity Faunal Diversity

47 species of fish

2,254 Angiosperms 47 species of amphibians

3 Gymnosperms 89 species of reptiles

56 Pteridophytes 337 species of Birds

79 species of Mammals.

The vegetation types ranges from forests of tropical West Coast

Tropical Wet Ever Green forest to Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous
Forest and Thorn Forest makes it one of the richest biodiversity
areas in the world.
Types Of Forests
Evergreen Forests
Semi Evergreen Forests
Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests
Tropical Riparian Fringe Forests
Dry Teak Forests
Karnatic Umbrella Thorn
Forests
Ochlandra Reeds
Wet Temperature Forests
Grasslands of low and high
altitudes.
 Water Resources
Many perennial rivers originate in this
forest and the chief river is the
Tambiraparani and its tributaries.
The other rivers are Pambar, Mylar,
Karaiyar, Manimuthar, Ramanadhi,
Kadananadhi, Servalar and
Jambunadhi.
These water sources are well
distributed all over the sanctuary and
serve as natural reservoirs to the
wildlife.
Floral Signifi cance
Wester
Type n KMTR %
Ghats
Total
4000 2254 56
species
Angiosper Endemic
1500 448 30
ms species
Red listed
200 58 29
species
Gymnosperms 4 3 75
Pteridophytes 240 156 85
 Flora at KMTR

Tinnelvelli red wood Bark-Flower Humboldtia Gluta travancorica

Ficus
Hopea parviflora
(Aththi)
(Vellai Kongu)
Tectona grandis
(Teak )
 Flora at KMTR

mangifera-indica syzgium cumini eugenia singampattiana

(Mango Tree) (Naval tree) (Jungle Guava)

calophyllum_brasiliense terminalia arjuna dalbergia latifolia

(Pinnakai) (Marudhu) (Rosewood )
 Flora at KMTR

Artocarpus-altilis cinnamomum-cassia Wight's Twisted-Flower

Mexican primrose Balanophora

79 genera and 161 species of ferns have been reported

from this reserve.
 AMAZING ORCHIDS

Brachycorhythis Paphiopedilum
splendida druryi

Gloriosa superba

Cymbidium ensifolium Nilgiri disperis

 Faunal Significance of KMTR

Threatened
No. Ende Critic
of mic ally Enda Near
CLASS Vulne
spec Speci Enda ngere Threa Total
ies es rable
ngere d tened
d
PISCES 47 9 2 6 11 10 29
AMPHIBIAN
46 27 - 4 15 18 37
S
REPTILES 88 39 2 6 16 34 58
AVES 337 14 - - 3 - 3

MAMMALS 79 14 - 8 11 20 39
 All five primates of south
India are found in KMTR

Slender Loris Hanuman langur Nilgiri langur

Lion-tailed macaque Bonnet Macaque

 Fauna of KMTR

Gaur Elephant

Leopard

Sambar Wild Pig

Tiger Sloth Bear

Chital
 Fauna of KMTR

Mangoose Jackal Porcupine

Barking deer Brown Palm Civet Cochin Giant squirrel

forest-cane-turtle
 Threatened
Species

Lion Tailed Macaque Nilgiri Langur

Nilgiri Marten Brown Palm Civet Nilgiri Tahr

 Reptilian Relatives

Dasia haliana
Cobra
We can also come across reptiles and amphibians like
king cobra, common krait, russels, viper, darkpit viper,
monitor lizard, garden lizard, tortoise, crocodiles and
rare species of frogs.
Black Microhylid Frog

Darkpit viper Hump Nosed Pit Viper Andaman-lizard

 FAUNAL SIGNIFICANCE
This reserve has great potential for
future zoological survey and faunal
research as it harbours many
endangered species, such as,the
Black narrow-mouthed frog
rediscovered after 100 years.
 Birds @ KMTR
Egret Ceylon mouth frog Patridge

Hawk King fisher Black and Rufous Red-

fly catcher bellied_Paradise
 Birds @ KMTR

Emerald Dove Rufous babbler Great-Hornbill

Peacock Sarus crane

Endemic bird
species

Travancore White
Nilgiri Pipit Breasted Laughing Malabar Grey
Thrush Hornbill Blue Winged
Parakeet

Grey Headed Bulbul Nilgiri Wood Pigeon Rufous Babbler

15 bird species that are endemic to Western Ghats

are reported from KMTR
 Fluttering
Insects
Common Nawab Blue Pansy

Tiger Species

Spot Puffin Danaid

Eggfly

Common Pierrose Crimson Rose Swallowtail

 KALAKAD MUNDANTHURAI TIGER
CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (KMTCF)

KMTCF was established on 25.03.2010

focusing the management of KMTR for
conservation of
Biodiversity
Protection
Habitat Improvement
Research And Training
Environmental Education
Eco Development And Eco Tourism
 KMTCF Objectives
To conserve the valuable biodiversity and the natural
resources of KMTR for posterity.
Protection of Tiger and its co-predators and improvement
of its prey base in the KMTR
To reduce biological interference and reducing the bio-
degradation through Eco-development programmes.
To improve livelihood options of the Forest dependents.
To integrate community development effects with natural
resources management.
To promote awareness among the local people regarding
conservation.
To regulate eco-tourism in and around the Tiger Reserve.
To facilitate creation and maintenance of assets.
 Biodiversity Conservation and Rural
Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP)

BCRLIP visualizes a multi sector and, seemingly

antagonistic, multi theme project on a
landscape
Global Objective Of BCRLIP
To enhance the conservation of globally significant
biodiversity and ensure its long-term sustainability by
promoting appropriate conservation practices in
biodiversity-rich landscapes.
 BCRLIP IN KALAKAD
MUNDANTHURAI TIGER
RESERVE
KMTR is a pioneer in participatory Biodiversity Conservation initiatives with its
global success in India Eco-development project under the Forestry Research
Education & Extension Project from 1995 2001.

After the success of Eco development project, KMTR was recognized by the
World Bank and approved by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, GOI, as a
Field Learning Centre, under Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood
Improvement Project in 2011-2012.

Now, Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Conservation Foundation under KMTR is

implementing the Agasthiyarmalai Landscape Tamilnadu part after its launch
in 2014-2015.
 Strategies for Conservation
of Biodiversity
All the possible varieties of food, forage
and timber plants, live stock, agriculture
animals and microbes should be
conserved.
Critical habitats for each species should
be identified and safeguarded.
Priority should be given to preserve
unique ecosystems.
The poaching and hunting of wildlife
should be prevented as far as practicable.
Care should be taken for the
development of reserves and protected
areas..
 Strategies for Conservation
of Biodiversity
Efforts should be made to reduce the
level of pollutants in the environment
Public awareness should be created
regarding biodiversity and its
importance for the living organisms.
Permitting sustainable exploitation of
natural resources by tribals and
creating special buffer zone for such
people.
Environmental laws should be strictly
followed.