Eravikulam National Park - Kerala - एराविकुलम राष्ट्रीय पार्क
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 Photo by : eenar_6 in flickr More images... |
Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahr's existing in the world. The park also shelters Atlas Moth, Elephants, Sambhar's, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri, Langur, Tigers and Leopards.
Spread across an area of 97 Sq. km, the park exhibits the breathtaking natural splendor of rolling grasslands and exotic flowers. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park.
The Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It lures the travellers with its irresistible grace and beauty. The 97 sq km park lies along the high ranges of the western coast in the Munnar Forest Division of Idukki district in Kerala. It is situated on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the north where it extends as the Annamalai National Park. The mountains covered with the rolling grasslands and high level sholas is breath-takingly beautiful. This park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr also known as the Nilgiri Ibex. The Rajamala is the natural habitat of this rare mountain goat. Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres) lives here. (Around 1317, according to the 1991 census). Besides the Nilgiri tahr other important fauna are elephant, leopard, tiger, malabar civet, sambar, barking deer, nilgai, langur, phyhon etc. The birds found are imperial pigeon, grey jungle fowl etc. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. The park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area.
Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the Rajamala region. Trekking facilities are available here. Anamudi(2694 m), the highest peak, south of the Himalayas, is situated in the south of the park.The towering Anamudi, shrouded in a delicate film of mist, and then suddenly swathed in sunlight, is a sight so spectacular that it will remain fresh in the memory of every visitor. Neelakurinji, a unique species of flowers that sprout once in 12 years, grows profusely on these grasslands, transforming vast areas of hilly terrain into floral celebration. A lot of tourists come to Eravikulam to marvel at this blue-spangled phenomenon.
Other Attractions: Anamudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak in south India and located within the park area. This is a good place for trekking. .
Club Mahindra Resort
Assistant Wild Life Warden, Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala (near) Nemakad Estate, Munnar P.O, Kerala
The Chief Conservator of Forest (WildLife), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695014
Phone-322217
Best time to visit: October to March
Nearest town : Munnar (15km)
Main attraction : Nilgiri Tahr
Spread across an area of 97 Sq. km, the park exhibits the breathtaking natural splendor of rolling grasslands and exotic flowers. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park.
The Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It lures the travellers with its irresistible grace and beauty. The 97 sq km park lies along the high ranges of the western coast in the Munnar Forest Division of Idukki district in Kerala. It is situated on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the north where it extends as the Annamalai National Park. The mountains covered with the rolling grasslands and high level sholas is breath-takingly beautiful. This park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr also known as the Nilgiri Ibex. The Rajamala is the natural habitat of this rare mountain goat. Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres) lives here. (Around 1317, according to the 1991 census). Besides the Nilgiri tahr other important fauna are elephant, leopard, tiger, malabar civet, sambar, barking deer, nilgai, langur, phyhon etc. The birds found are imperial pigeon, grey jungle fowl etc. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. The park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area.
Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the Rajamala region. Trekking facilities are available here. Anamudi(2694 m), the highest peak, south of the Himalayas, is situated in the south of the park.The towering Anamudi, shrouded in a delicate film of mist, and then suddenly swathed in sunlight, is a sight so spectacular that it will remain fresh in the memory of every visitor. Neelakurinji, a unique species of flowers that sprout once in 12 years, grows profusely on these grasslands, transforming vast areas of hilly terrain into floral celebration. A lot of tourists come to Eravikulam to marvel at this blue-spangled phenomenon.
Climate(Eravikulam National Park)
The climate of this region is greatly influenced by the southwestern monsoon. June, July, and August are the monsoon months and this is the period when the region receives maximum rainfall while April and May are the hottest months. January and February receive little rain and the weather is generally clear during this time of the year. From September to December, the northeast monsoon brings a little rain and this period along with the months of January and February are the best time to visit this park.Wildlife in Eravikulam National Park
The main inhabitant of the Eravikulam park is Nilgiri Tahr. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahrs existing in the world. The park also sheltersgaur, indian muntjac, sambar deer, golden jackal, jungle cat, wild dog, dhole, leopard, tiger, nilgiri langur, stripe-necked mongoose, indian porcupine, nilgiri marten, small clawed otter, ruddy mongoose, and funambulus sublineatus|dusky striped squirrelBirding in Eravikulam National Park
132 species of birds have been recorded which include endemics like Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon,Yellow-Throated Marten, White Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.Flora in Eravikulam National Park
Three major types of plant communities are found in the Park - grasslands, shrublands and forests. The terrain above 2000m is covered primarily by grasslands. However, there are numerous small patches of forests in hollows and gullies in these areas. The deeper valleys are extensively forested. Shrublands predominate along the bases of the cliffs and interspersed in rocky slab areas. The antibacterial Eupatorium glandulosum is found here.Other Attractions: Anamudi (2,695 m) is the highest peak in south India and located within the park area. This is a good place for trekking. .
How to Reach
Air
Cochin International Airport (143 km) is the nearest airport from Eravikulam and connected to many places in India by regular flights. The airport is also connected to places in the Middle East by regular flights. The nearest airport is at Kochi, 135 km.Rail
Nearest Railway Station is Aluva in Ernakulam district, 115 km from Munnar. Other railway stations are Kottayam about 142 km from Munnar and Ernakulam, about 130 km from Munnar.Road
A motorable road is there up to Rajamalai, the park headquarter. From Rajamalai, one needs to travel on foot for around 18 km. Rajamalai is at a distance of around 15 km from the Munnar town connected to many places in Kerala and Tamil Nadu .Accommodation
Accommodation is available in Munnar town. Royal Retreat at Kannan Devan Hills, Residency at Top Station Road are above medium hotels. Hotel Issacs, East End at Temple Road has some medium range rooms and cottages. Sree Narayana Lodge (S N Lodge) near Post Office, old Munnar are less expensive hotels. In addition, there are government guest houses at Munnar and Devikulam. PWD rest houses also offers accommodation.Wildlife Resrots in Eravikulam National Park
Tall Trees ResortClub Mahindra Resort
Contacts
DFO, Mannar Division, P.O. Devikulam, Distt. IddukkiAssistant Wild Life Warden, Eravikulam National Park, Rajamala (near) Nemakad Estate, Munnar P.O, Kerala
The Chief Conservator of Forest (WildLife), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695014
Phone-322217
General Information
Place : Idukki District, KeralaBest time to visit: October to March
Nearest town : Munnar (15km)
Main attraction : Nilgiri Tahr
 Photo by : Naseer Ommer in flickr |
 Photo by : HAKANU in flickr |
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 Photo by : medhekar2000 in flickr |
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 Photo by : rvidesh2 in webshots |
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 Photo by : Greens in panoramio |
 Photo by : William Stephens in panoramio |
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