Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park,

The Eravikulam national park is located about 15 km from Munnar. This wildlife sanctuary is known for the endangered mountain goat of South India and the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrious). Some other major attractions of the Eravikulam National Park are the rolling grasslands and sholas, which are spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills. The highest peak of South India, Anamudi, adds to the landscape of the sanctuary. Numerous types of floral and faunal life are found on the slopes of the hills that surround the area.

The most unique inhabitant of the park is the Atlas moth, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Some other rare species of fauna found here are the leopards, Nilgiri Langur, tigers, the lion-tailed macaque etc. The national park provides an ideal surrounding for trekking etc and some adventure lovers trek to the Anamudi peak. The Eravikulam sanctuary is divided into three areas; the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Only the tourism area is allowed for visitors/tourists. During the Monsoon season, visitors are not allowed in the Eravikulam National Park.

Eravikulam National Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, situated along the crest of the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of Idukki district of Kerala state, India.

The Park holds the largest viable population of the endangered (IUCN) Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius).

Apart from tahr, the Park is the abode of other little known fauna such as Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose,small clawed otter,dusky striped sqirrel etc

Location:

Eravikulam National Park is situated in the High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Western Ghats in the Devikolam Taluk of Idukki district, Kerala State between 10º 05′ – 10º 20′ N Latitude and 77º 0′ – 77º 10′ E Longitude.
Etymologically, Eravikulam denotes streams and pools.

The Park is 97 sq. km. in extent, consisting mostly of high altitude grasslands that are interspersed with sholas. The main body of the National Park comprising of a high rolling plateau with a base elevation of about 2000 meters from mean sea level. The Park is of undulating terrain and the highest peak is Anamudi (2690 m). Three major types of plant communities are found in the Park-grasslands, shrub land and forests. The high plateau and the hills rising above it, are primarily covered by grasslands. Shrub lands are seen along the bases of the cliffs. Shola forests are located in the valleys and folds. Turner’s valley, which splits the Park roughly in half from northwest to southeast, is the deepest.

The park is accessible from Kochi (Kerala) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) airports, which are located at about 148 Km and 175 Km respectively.
Munnar is the nearest town (13km.), well connected by roads from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The nearest railway station in Kerala is Aluva (120 Km away from Munnar) and in Tamil Nadu is Coimbatore (165 Km)

The only motorable road inside the Park, passes through the southern extremity inside the tourism zone (Rajamala) to the Rajamallay tea estate. Another road head leads to the Lakkom Muduvakudy on the periphery and is not usable at present. All other movements inside the Park are on foot along trails and footpaths.

Public conveyance facilities like buses and taxi, telephone, fax, postal, internet and e-mail facilities are available at Munnar. Boarding and lodging facilities of various categories exist in this small township.

History:

During the colonial days, the High Range Game Preservation Association managed the area as a Game Preserve for the erstwhile Kannadevan Hills Produce Company.

The Muduvan tribals, known for theit tracking skills, were employed as game watchers. they are the original inhabitants of these hills.

The area was taken over in 1971 by the Kerala Government and declared as a Sanctuary in 1975. It was upgraded to a national park in 1978in recognition of it’s unique ecological values.

The planter community and the Muduvans continue their association with the protection and management of the park.