The Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve is another of the popular wildlife reserves of the region. The reserve is notified under the Man and Biosphere Programme, launched by UNESCO. This biosphere reserve covers a total area of 1701 sq km and the forest region covered by the reserve includes areas of Neyyar, Peppara and Shendumey Wildlife Sanctuaries; as well as Achencoil, Thenmala, Konni, Punalur, Thiruvananthapuram Divisions and Agasthyavanam Special Division.