Nagarhole National Park, a key wildlife area in southern India, forms part of which of the following Biosphere Reserves?

Introduction / Context:
This question addresses Indian environmental geography and conservation planning, focusing on how national parks fit within larger biosphere reserves. Nagarhole National Park lies in the Western Ghats region of southern India and is an important part of a renowned biosphere reserve. Understanding these nested conservation units is useful for exams that test knowledge of India's protected area network and biodiversity hotspots.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Nagarhole National Park is the park mentioned in the question.
• We are asked to identify the biosphere reserve of which it is a part.
• Options are Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura and Nilgiri.
• We assume standard classification of Indian biosphere reserves and protected areas.

Concept / Approach:
Nagarhole National Park is located in Karnataka and, together with Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wayanad wildlife areas, forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats. The Aravalli, Vindhya and Satpura ranges are located in different parts of India and are associated with other reserves and parks. Therefore, the concept is to correctly associate Nagarhole and its forest ecosystem with the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Nagarhole lies in the forested region straddling Karnataka and bordering Kerala. Step 2: Remember that this region is part of the Western Ghats, a recognised biodiversity hotspot. Step 3: Note that the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve includes areas like Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wayanad. Step 4: Compare this with the options: Aravalli, Vindhya, Satpura and Nilgiri. Step 5: Select Nilgiri as the biosphere reserve that includes Nagarhole National Park.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Verification can be done by recalling that the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first biosphere reserve declared in India and covers parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Many maps and exam guides explicitly list Nagarhole under its components. Aravalli refers to a mountain range in north-western India, Vindhya and Satpura ranges are in central India, none of which match the location of Nagarhole, confirming that Nilgiri is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a (Aravalli) is a range mainly in Rajasthan and Haryana and is not linked with Nagarhole. Option b (Vindhya) is a mountain system in central India associated with other ecosystems, not the Western Ghats forests of Nagarhole. Option c (Satpura) also refers to central Indian highlands that contain reserves like Satpura National Park but not Nagarhole. Therefore, these three options do not correspond geographically or administratively to Nagarhole's protected status.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse names of mountain ranges and biosphere reserves, especially when quickly memorising lists. Another pitfall is to assume that any forested region in central or southern India could fit with Satpura or Vindhya, without checking the exact state and location. To avoid this, associate Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve with the Western Ghats and specifically remember the cluster: Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai and Wayanad.

Final Answer:
Nagarhole National Park forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.