Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve:
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department recently commenced a three-day-long elephant census at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
- Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghatsin the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu.
- Its area is contiguous with the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), and Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka).
- Together, these reserves—forming the Nilgiris biosphere landscape— have the biggest tiger population in the world, at over 280 tigers.
- It was declared a tiger reserve in 2013. It forms a vital link between the Eastern and Western Ghats, creating a continuous habitat for tigers and other wildlife.
- It is subtropical and dry.
- The summers are hot and dry; the monsoons are wet and cooler, with river flooding.
- Some of the prominent rivers in the region include the Bhavani, Moyar, and Noyyal rivers.
- It is home to several indigenous tribal communities, including the Irula and Kurumba tribes.
