It is an ideal place for seeing the biodiversity of high elevation shola-grassland ecosystem. Visitors are taken to Rajamalai in forest dept vehicles and given an opportunity to see all this. Private vehicles are not allowed here. The National Park is usually closed at the time of calving of Nilgiri Tahr which is usually during the early months of every year.
This photo of Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Location: 15 km from Munnar.
Visiting hours: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Kannan devan hills.
Anamudi, the highest peak (2695 m) south of Himalayas, stands majestically in the core area of the national park. The slopes of the hills abound in many kinds of rare flora which include rare terrestrial and epiphytic orchids, and beautiful wild balsams. Important fauna here are the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, leopard, tiger, Indian bison, etc.
Rajamalai is the tourism zone of the National Park, where the visitors are taken in forest dept vehicles and introduced to the shola - grassland eco system unique to this region. There is a very informative interpretation centre at Rajamalai.
A protected area, the sanctuary is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area - Rajamalai - the region lying beyond the road entry into Eravikulam. Here one can observe the Nilgiri Tahr at close quarters.
Don't make this your destination during the early months of the year, the park may be closed for visitors because it is calving time of the Tahr.
Getting there: Eravikulam is 15 km from Munnar.
Nearest railway station: Kottayam, about 142 km from Munnar; Ernakulam, about 130 km from Munnar.
Nearest airport: Madurai (Tamilnadu) about 142 km; Cochin International Airport, about 150 km.
Perched 7000 ft. above sea level, is break taking in the size and diversity of flora and fauna. A former hunting preserve of the British planters, the Park today exemplifies wildlife at its best. It was declared a Sanctuary in 1975 with the intention of protecting the indigenous population of Nilgiri Tahr(highly endangered mountain goat). However, in 1978, it was declared as a National Park considering it’s ecological, faunal, geomorphological and Zoological Significance. This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once in twelve years. The Park is breath takingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best of mountain ranges in the Alps. With the highest peak south of the Himalayas – the Anamudi, located here, nature enthusiasts have ample opportunities for trekking expeditions and wildlife spotting.
This photo of Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor
This photo of Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor The Park covers an area of 97 Km2 of rolling grasslands and high level sholas.
Year of formation: 1978
Location
Situated in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District on SH17 (Udumalpet Road)
100 10’ - 100 20’ North and 770 0’ - 770 10’ East.
Situated in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District on SH17 (Udumalpet Road)
100 10’ - 100 20’ North and 770 0’ - 770 10’ East.
Road:Eravikulam is nearly 15 Km north of Munnar and can be reached from Kochi (135 Km) and Kottayam (148 Km) by Road.
Rail: The nearest railway station in Kerala is Aluva (120 Km from Munnar) and Coimbatore (165 Km) in Tamil Nadu.
Air: The Park is accessible from Cochin (Kerala) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) airports, which are located at about 148 Km and 175 Km respectively.
Rail: The nearest railway station in Kerala is Aluva (120 Km from Munnar) and Coimbatore (165 Km) in Tamil Nadu.
Air: The Park is accessible from Cochin (Kerala) and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) airports, which are located at about 148 Km and 175 Km respectively.
The Park receives heavy showers during the southwest (June/July) and retreating (October/November) Monsoons and is one of the wettest area of the World. April & May are the hottest months. The occurrence of frost is quite common during the winter (December to February)
The terrain is undulating with grass, hillocks, and sholas. In addition the highest peak south of the Himalayas – The Anamudi, which is 2695 meters in height is situated on the southern side of the Park.
Vegetation
The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley. Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Sysygium aronottianum, Chrysopogon Zelanieus, Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji), Eulalia phaeothrix, Tripogen bromodes, Arundinella fuscata, Cyanotis Species etc.
The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids including the long thought extinct varietyBrachycorythis wightii .
The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley. Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Sysygium aronottianum, Chrysopogon Zelanieus, Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji), Eulalia phaeothrix, Tripogen bromodes, Arundinella fuscata, Cyanotis Species etc.
The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids including the long thought extinct varietyBrachycorythis wightii .
29 Species of mammals are found here of which 5 are endemic to the Western Ghat’s. The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel and wild dog are common. Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here. Panthers are usually sighted in the open grasslands while Civet cats and Jungle cats live in the Sholas.
140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghat’s.
The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park. More than 100 varieties of butterflies have been recorded here. Besides 20 species of amphibians are also seen.
140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghat’s.
The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park. More than 100 varieties of butterflies have been recorded here. Besides 20 species of amphibians are also seen.
This photo of Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Ecotourism
Trekking and other activities at Eravikulam are limited to the tourism zone that is approachable by vehicle and is a high altitude rocky precipice. The view of the valley from here is fabulous and offers a satisfying trip for trekkers. A good pastime is the Lakhom Falls trail involving a one day trek from the water fall to Pakkumarathery where trekkers can have a look at the Anamudi Peak and opt for an overnight stay at the log house.
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