Indira Gandhi National Park - इंदिरा गंधी राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
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 Photo by : sgurjar in webshots More images... |
The Indira Gandhi National Park named after the late Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi is located in the Anamalai hills in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The forests, a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve consists of the park as well as a sanctuary formerly known as Anamalai Wildlife sanctuary with a combined area of 95,860 hectares. The national park covers an area of 108 sq kms. and the sanctuary is spread over an area of 958 Sq km.
The National Park, with its main tourist zone known as Top Slip, has an altitude varying from 350m to 2,400 metres above sea level and has an excellent variety of flora as well as fauna. The terrain consists of thickly wooded hills, rolling grasslands, plateaus and deep valleys. It has an annual rainfall between 500 mm to 5000 mm.
The vegetation that covers most of the park is of the mixed deciduous variety. There are rich evergreen and semi -evergreen forests. The semi-evergreen and the wet temperate habitat of this park contain teak, rose wood and many miscellaneous tropical species. The park comprises of around 8,000 species of plants.
Some of the rare and endangered species of flora, which are found in the Park are Combretum Ovalifolium, Dispyros nilagrica, Gymnopteris Contaimirans, Habebarai Reriflora, Polypodum Pleroupus, Alsophila, Bulbophyllum sp, Lasianthus uenuloses, Angiopterris Erectra, Gnetum Ula, Impaliens Elegans, Lycopodium cernum, Ranunculus Reniformis and Osmunda Regulis. Trees have placards with their botanical names and other details.
The animal population of this park is equally diverse as the flora. It has some of the more fierce and aggressive creatures like Tigers, Panthers, Wild Boar, Sloth Boar etc. Elephants, Pangolin, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Spotted deer, Nilgiris Tahr, Civet Cat etc. are found in large numbers. Arboreal animals, like the rare Lion-tailed macaque, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Nilgiris langur, Malabar giant squirrel and Grizzled giant squirrel are also found in the park.
Around 500 species of birds, including resident and migratory birds are found in the park. Species of birds include Cormorants, Quails, Hornbills, Orioles, Storks, Eagles and Owls. Some of them are Racket Tailed Drongo, Wynad laughing thrush, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar Pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird, Green Billed Malkhoha etc. Top Slip is the main birding area. There is a watch tower overlooking a reservoir around 1km from the edge of the Karian Shola on Top Slip. Many of the birds can be seen on the way as well as from the watch tower.
Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000. Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
178, Meenakarai Salai,
Pollachi - 642001
Phone: 04259 222-5356.
Nearest Town : Pollachi
Best season : September to March
Main attraction - Trekking
Timings : Open 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
The National Park, with its main tourist zone known as Top Slip, has an altitude varying from 350m to 2,400 metres above sea level and has an excellent variety of flora as well as fauna. The terrain consists of thickly wooded hills, rolling grasslands, plateaus and deep valleys. It has an annual rainfall between 500 mm to 5000 mm.
The vegetation that covers most of the park is of the mixed deciduous variety. There are rich evergreen and semi -evergreen forests. The semi-evergreen and the wet temperate habitat of this park contain teak, rose wood and many miscellaneous tropical species. The park comprises of around 8,000 species of plants.
Some of the rare and endangered species of flora, which are found in the Park are Combretum Ovalifolium, Dispyros nilagrica, Gymnopteris Contaimirans, Habebarai Reriflora, Polypodum Pleroupus, Alsophila, Bulbophyllum sp, Lasianthus uenuloses, Angiopterris Erectra, Gnetum Ula, Impaliens Elegans, Lycopodium cernum, Ranunculus Reniformis and Osmunda Regulis. Trees have placards with their botanical names and other details.
The animal population of this park is equally diverse as the flora. It has some of the more fierce and aggressive creatures like Tigers, Panthers, Wild Boar, Sloth Boar etc. Elephants, Pangolin, Sambar, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Spotted deer, Nilgiris Tahr, Civet Cat etc. are found in large numbers. Arboreal animals, like the rare Lion-tailed macaque, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Nilgiris langur, Malabar giant squirrel and Grizzled giant squirrel are also found in the park.
Around 500 species of birds, including resident and migratory birds are found in the park. Species of birds include Cormorants, Quails, Hornbills, Orioles, Storks, Eagles and Owls. Some of them are Racket Tailed Drongo, Wynad laughing thrush, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar Pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird, Green Billed Malkhoha etc. Top Slip is the main birding area. There is a watch tower overlooking a reservoir around 1km from the edge of the Karian Shola on Top Slip. Many of the birds can be seen on the way as well as from the watch tower.
Facilities inside the park
Motor vehicles and elephants for riding are available on hire. Trekking is allowed inside the park accompanied by a park guide. There are possibilities of sightings of giant squirrels, deer, bisons, hornbills, elephants etc. The park is open from 6 am to 6 pm for visitors.Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12 years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera / Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000. Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle : no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
How to Reach
Air
Nearest airport is at Coimbatore (75 km ) from the park.Rail
Nearest Railway station is Pollachi 35 km away. There are trains from here to Coimbatore and Dindigul.Road
Pollachi is a large town well connected to the main cities in Tamil Nadu. There are regular buses from Coimbatore (40 km) and Palani to Pollachi. There are buses available to the park from Pollachi (35 km) and back. Taxis and jeeps are also available at Pollachi.Accommodation
There is a large tourist complex inside the park at Top Slip with rooms and cottages for stay plus a canteen supplying meals. The complex also has a small museum and some medicinal plants. There are also Forest Rest Houses with catering arrangements at Varagaliar, Amaravathi and Sethumadai. Public Works Department (PWD) Rest houses are there at Udumalpet and Amaravathi and Electricity Board Rest House at Attakatti. 2km from the Topslip entry there is the Ambuli Illam guesthouse along with a restaurant, Mt. Stuart rest house beautifully located but without basic amenities. Alternatively one can stay at Pollachi or Coimbatore.Contact
Wildlife Warden,178, Meenakarai Salai,
Pollachi - 642001
Phone: 04259 222-5356.
General Information
Place : The Anamalai Ranges in Coimbatore District, Tamil NaduNearest Town : Pollachi
Best season : September to March
Main attraction - Trekking
Timings : Open 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
 Photo by : Raghu M R in flickr |
 Photo by : Raghu M R in flickr |
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 Photo by : Raghu M R in flickr |
 Photo by : Raghu M R in flickr |
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 Photo by : tngeetha in webshots |
 Photo by : kumar_blissers in webshots |
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