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Biosphere Reserves of Tamil Nadu

Three biosphere reserves touch Tamil Nadu, and one of them is a national first, the kind of superlative TNPSC loves.

Syllabus: GS Unit II (Geography: environment)
Biosphere ReserveYearSignature fact
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve1986India's first biosphere reserve; spans TN, Kerala and Karnataka
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve1989India's first marine biosphere reserve; 21 islands, coral ecosystem
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve2001Southern Western Ghats; UNESCO listing 2016; Kani tribal habitat

Frequently asked questions

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Compiled from official Tamil Nadu government sources and standard references. Time-sensitive counts carry an as-of note on the page. Sources: TNPSC official notifications. Figures are indicative and may change with each official notification. Data last reviewed: July 2026.

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