Researchers Document 3,261 Flowering Plant Species in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve

Key facts

• Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) have documented 3,261 species of flowering plants in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in Kerala.
• The comprehensive checklist serves as a factual baseline for the region's floral diversity and the state of the Western Ghats ecosystem, identifying which plants are endemic and which are at risk.
• The checklist acts as a primary reference for policymakers and conservationists to allocate resources and identify habitats requiring immediate protection in the Western Ghats.