Tribal groups such as the Badagas, Toda, Kotas, Irulla, Kurumba, Paniya, Adiyan, Edanadan Chettis, Allar, and Malayan are native to the reserve.

[5] In the 1970s, an area of around 5,670 km2 (2,190 sq mi) in the Nilgiri Mountains was proposed to be included in the list of biosphere reserves of India.

[8] Tall trees above a height of 18 m (59 ft) are used by the giant honey bees (Apis dorsata) for building nests, including the species Tetrameles nudiflora, Indian laurel (Ficus microcarpa), Coromandel ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon), yellow snake tree (Stereospermum tetragonum), rusty kamala (Mallotus tetracoccus) and Acrocarpus fraxinifolius.

[9] During the peak flowering season from January to May, at least 73 species blossom including teak (Tectona grandis), red cedar (Erythroxylum monogynum), hiptage (Hiptage benghalensis), large-flowered bay tree (Persea macrantha), zunna berry (Ziziphus rugosa) and creeping smartweed (Persicaria chinensis).

[7] Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and adjacent areas host the largest Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) population in India, estimated at 5,750 individuals by 2007.

Herds move in 562–800 km2 (217–309 sq mi) large home ranges and congregate at perennial water sources during the dry season.

[8] The rapid and dense growth of the invasive Passiflora mollissima inhibits the regeneration of native tree species in the Shola forest patches.

Despite poaching banned by law in 1972, people still tend to illegally hunt animals such as tigers, elephants and chital for skin, fur or tusks.