Mundanthurai Wild Life Sanctuary - Tamil Nadu - मुन्दंठुरै वन्यजीवन अभयारण्य

There is nothing to differentiate this sanctuary from that of Kalakkadu, except the absense of Elephant and the Gaur. Situated in the Tirunelveli district, This 567 Sq km sanctuary boasts of dry decidious to tropical wet evergreen forests patches of pure reeds.

Animal wealth includes Tiger, Bonnet macaque, Langurs, Slenders Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Chital and wild dog. Excellent for various species of avi-fauna and varities of reptiles and insects. Trekking with prior permission from the Forest (Wildlife) Department, along trekking trails can be undertaken.

This sanctuary is located where the Nilagiri Hills, the offshoot of the Wetern ghats meet the eastern ghats. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has varied mixture of flat land, undulating parkland, open grassland, swamp, valleys and nullas. The Mayyar river in this region forms a series of spectacular cascades on its way 65 kms away from Udhagamandalam - Mysore highway, this sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well.

This 321 Sq km wide sanctuary encompasses a National Park measuring are of 103 sq kms. The vegetation is varied. The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests, make Mudumalai (the ancient hills) a most attractive wildlife reserve. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.

The fauna includes Elephant, Gaur, Bonnet, Macaque, Common langur, Tigers and Leopards, Chital, Dhole Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking deer, Four-Hourned- Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (mugger), giant flying squirrel, Sambhar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine and Mangoose.

The Birds listed in this sanctuary are peacock-our national bird, grey jungle fowl, Malabar whistling thrush, large racket-tailed dronge, the shama, the magpie-robin, spotted babbler, small green barbet, greemn pigeons, little brown dove, malabar grey hornbill, bulbuls, mynahs etc. Among birds of prey, eagles, hawks, buzzards, harriers, falcons and king vulture are predominant, berdies some migratory water birds.

About Mudumalai Bird Sanctuary

Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. The 321 Sq. km. reserve is situated in Tamil Nadu.

Mudumalai wildlife reserve is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore - Ooty highway runs through the park. The 321 Sq. km. reserve is situated in Tamil NaduMudumalali wildlife reserve was the first sanctuary in south India. The terrain is extremely varied with hills, valleys, ravines, watercourses and swamps. The vegetation comprises of tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests and scrub forests. Compared to the nearby reserves, the climate is warmer in Mudumalai.

Langur, bonnet macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, Indian muntjac, mouse deer, wild boar, rodent and flying squirrel are part of the wildlife in Mudumalai. It has a rich bird life that includes Malabar trogan, Grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, etc.

The best time to visit the reserve is from February to June. The sanctuary can be reached by road. The nearest railway station is Udakamandalam. The nearest airport is Coimbatore. Accommodation can be arranged at forest rest house, guesthouses at Masinagudi, Kargudi, Abhayaranyam and Theppakkadu.

Flora (Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary)

The vegetation is quite varied in this region. The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests, make Mudumalai (the ancient hills) a most attractive wildlife reserve. Bamboos (Bambusa Arundinacea) Natural teak (Tectona Grandis), Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia, Crenulata/Terminalia Tomontosa, Grewia, and blooming trees like Indian Labumusum, Aredesia, Solanancea are some of the flora.

Fauna (Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary)

The fauna include Elephants, Gaur, Banner, Macaque, Common Langur, Tigers, Leopards, Chital, Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Barking Deer, Four Horned Antelope, Otter, Crocodiles (Mugger), Giant Flying Squirrel, Sambar, Hyena, Wild Dog, Wild Boar, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Hare, Porcupine and Mongoose.

The birds listed in this sanctuary are Peacock-our National bird, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs, etc. Among birds of prey, Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and King Vulture are predominant, besides some migratory water birds.

How to Reach

Air

The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 160-km away.

Rail

The sanctuary is located at a distance of 65-km from Udhagamandalam railway station and 95-km from Mysore station.

Road

Gudalur (16 km) is the nearest town to the sanctuary, which is situated along the Udhagamandalam - Mysore highway. This sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well. There are regular buses from Udhagamandalam, Mysore and the neighbouring towns to the sanctuary.

Accommodation

Within the sanctuary is an elephant camp called "Theppakkadu", where there is a rest house. Accommodation is also available at TTDC's Youth Hostel and rest houses in Masinagudi, Abhayaranayam and Kargudi and the Bamboo Banks Farm that is 18 km away.
Forest Rest House at Mundanthurai
PWD Rest House at Amba-samudram
EB Rest House at PapanasamCamp
Hotel Tamilnadu
TTDC Ltd.Rest Houses
Bamboo Banks Farm
Masinagudi (18 km from sanctuary)

Tourist Information

Facilities: Vehicles on hire and Elephant safari

General Information

Nearest Town : Gudalur (16 km)
Best time to visit : October to January
How to get there : Rail-Udhagamandalam/Ooty (64 km) Air-Coimbatore (160 km)

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