Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
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
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
1. The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve spans across the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the southern Western Ghats.
2. Option (A) lists Neyyar, Peppara, and Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuaries (located in Kerala) and the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (located in Tamil Nadu). These protected areas are indeed core components of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
3. Option (B) lists protected areas (Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Wayanad, Silent Valley) which are primarily part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
4. Option (C) lists protected areas mostly located in Andhra Pradesh (Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram, Papikonda) and Tamil Nadu (Mukurthi - part of Nilgiri BR), not Agasthyamala.
5. Option (D) lists protected areas located in Telangana/Andhra Pradesh (Kawal, Sri Venkateswara, Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam), not Agasthyamala.
6. Therefore, option (A) correctly identifies the constituents of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.