Context: Recently, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ordered notice to the State on a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to restrict the entry of outsiders and vehicles inside Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

About Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR)

• Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) is situated in the South Western Ghats montane rain forests in Tamil Nadu.

• It stands as the second-largest protected area in Tamil Nadu and is a segment of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.

• This reserve is a mixture of three main sanctuaries: Kalakad Sanctuary, Mundanthurai Sanctuary, and a part of Kanyakumari Sanctuary.

• Nestled between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the Agastya Malai Hill Range forms the core area of the sanctuary and is part of one of the world's 18 biodiversity hotspots. 

• Terrain: Undulating with several valleys and porous rocks.

Historical Background

• KMTR was established in 1988 by merging Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary, both of which were set up in 1962.

• A proposal exists to designate a 400 km^2 core area of this reserve as a national park.

• The continuation of "Project Tiger" in KMTR was approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in 2010.

Geographical Insights

• The reserve spans an elevation range from 40 to 1,800 meters, with Agasthiyamalai (1681 m) situated in its core zone.

• It serves as the catchment area for 14 rivers and streams, crucial for irrigation and drinking water in the region.

• Seven major dams are located within the reserve.

Conservation Efforts

• KMTR is a part of the inter-state Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

• The region is recognized as one of India's five centres of biodiversity and endemism by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

• Efforts are underway to get it recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Conservation programs aim to reduce local dependency on forests and raise awareness about biodiversity.

Flora and Fauna

• The reserve boasts of 150 endemic plants, 33 fish, 37 amphibians, 81 reptiles, 273 birds, and 77 mammal species.

• As of 2018, the tiger population is estimated between 16 to 18.

• Flora: Important species include Sarcandra, Paphiopedulum, druryi, Hopea parviflora, Hopea utilis, Calophylum elatum, Cullenia exarillata, etc.

• Fauna: Tiger, leopard, rusty spotted cat, wild dog, sloth bear, elephant, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, mouse deer, nilgiri langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, lion tailed macaque, etc. 

Vegetation

• It varies from thorny shrub jungles to lush evergreen forests.

• In addition to forests, savannah woodlands, and grasslands, there are tea and coffee plantations within the reserve.