Nilgiri mountains

The Nilgiri, form part of the Western Ghats in western Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala states in Southern India. At least 24 of the Nilgiri mountains' peaks are above 2000m, the highest peak being Doddabetta, at 2637m.LocationSpanning an area of 2479km2, the mountains' central location is.The Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu lies within these mountains, spanning 130 km (Latitude: 11° 08' to 11° 37' N) by 185 km (Longitude: 76° 27' E to 77° 4' E). It is connected via Nilgiri Mountain Railway.The mountains are separated from other geographical features by the Moyar River to the north (Karnataka plateau is beyond), and the Palghat Gap to the south (Anaimalai Hills and Palni Hills are past this).ConservationThe Nilgiri Hills are part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (itself part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.), and form a part of the protected bio reserves in India.HistoryThe high steppes of the Nilgiri Hills have been inhabited since prehistoric times, demonstrated by a large number of artifacts unearthed by excavators. A particularly important collection from the region can be seen in the British Museum, including those assembled by colonial officers James Wilkinson Breeks, Major M. J. Walhouse and Sir Walter Elliot.