Segur Plateau Elephant Corridor
Why in News?
The Supreme Court of India has upheld measures to remove commercial activities from the Segur Plateau Elephant Corridor, an ecologically sensitive landscape in the Nilgiri region of Tamil Nadu. The decision seeks to protect the free movement of elephants and maintain ecological connectivity in a crucial wildlife corridor linking habitats of the Western and Eastern Ghats. Commercial establishments and other human activities within elephant corridors can cause habitat fragmentation, obstruct traditional migration routes, and increase human-elephant conflict.
About Segur Plateau
The Segur Plateau is an important wildlife landscape located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu.
Key Geographical Features of Segur Plateau
- It forms an important ecological link between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
- The Nilgiri Hills lie towards its southwestern side.
- The Moyar River Valley lies towards its northeastern side.
- It forms part of the wider Mudumalai Tiger Reserve landscape.
- It is an important component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Its strategic location allows wildlife, particularly elephants, to move between different forest habitats.
Why is the Segur Elephant Corridor Important?
An elephant corridor is a narrow strip of natural habitat that connects larger elephant habitats and allows movement between them.
The Segur landscape is particularly important because it supports:
- Seasonal movement of elephants.
- Access to food and water resources.
- Genetic exchange between elephant populations.
- Reduction of population isolation.
- Long-term survival of viable elephant populations.
Blocking such corridors can force elephants into human settlements and agricultural areas, increasing human-elephant conflict.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
The Segur Plateau forms part of the ecologically important Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which extends across Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. It was established in 1986 as India’s first Biosphere Reserve and was included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2000. The wider Nilgiri landscape includes important protected areas such as Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Wayanad and Silent Valley.
Important Facts for Exams
- Segur Plateau: Located in Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu.
- It provides ecological connectivity between the Western and Eastern Ghats.
- Major river nearby: Moyar River.
- Associated protected area: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
- It forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: India’s first Biosphere Reserve, established in 1986.
- It spans Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
- Elephant corridors maintain habitat connectivity and genetic diversity.
- Asian Elephant: Elephas maximus.
- IUCN Status of Asian Elephant: Endangered.
- Indian elephant is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Project Elephant was launched in 1992.
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