Silent Valley National Park

Attractions: Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests which is a veritable nursery of flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

The Silent Valley National Park with an area of 90 sq km is located in the Northeastern corner of Palakkad district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the North and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the South.

The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) is a rich storehouse of biodiversity. It is a true Garden of Eden for students of life sciences, professional scientists and field biologists.

Perhaps, nowhere else can one find such a representative collection of Western Ghats biodiversity - more than 1000 species of flowering plants which include about 110 species of orchids, more than 34 species of mammals, about 200 species of butterflies, 400 species of moths, 128 species of beetles of which 10 are new to science, about 150 species of birds including almost all the 16 endemic birds of southern India.

The River Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills, from an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and traverses the entire length of the valley and rushes down to the plains through the deep forest. The River Kunthi never turns brown and is always crystal clear, perennial and wild.

The evapo-transpiration from these forests is much higher than from any other surface. This cools the atmosphere, helps easy condensation of water vapour, causing summer rains in the plains.

Getting there:

This photo of Silent Valley National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of Silent Valley National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Nearest railway station: Palakkad, about 80 km.

Nearest airport: Coimbatore (in neighbouring Tamilnadu State), about 120 km.

Significance of Silent Valley National Park Exceptional Ecosystem diversity from moist deciduous, semi evergreen, evergreen and shola forests to montane grasslands. Effectively protected, representative example of evergreen forests in India. Exceptional species diversity and endemic value of evergreen and semi evergreen communities. Significant population of Lion Tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur Important watershed of Bharathapuzha This photo of Silent Valley National Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor Potential for wildlife research and education. Contiguous to Mukkurthi Tahr National Park, Reserve forests of Attappady and new Amarambalam area, a key component of a major conservation complex in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Biosphere reserve. It comes under Project Elephant area Embodiment of nature conservation spirit in the country

Bio geographically, Silent Valley and the adjacent forests of the Western Ghats represent “ecological islands” in which it is possible to observe the conditions that prevailed before modifications set in, in the humid tropical forests of peninsular India. Though the stability of these ecological islands is fast dwindling, these ecological products introduce an important factor in the bio geographical evolution, viz. isolation mostly due to physical barriers as a result of the Palakkad gap. Isolation, therefore, has had the effect of preserving the relict characters of the flora and fauna of Silent Valley and adjacent areas, as indicated by the presence of primitive groups of flora and fauna. The distribution range of these relict species had been considerably restricted, presenting an apparent picture of endemism. The intermingling of Indo-Malayan elements in the flora and fauna of the area is due to preservation of the once extensive tropical forests, which extended over the whole of the Peninsula. The concentration and isolation of these elements only in some areas of the Ghats, present precarious picture of survival of relicts of an otherwise impoverished flora and fauna. The ecological regimes in the southern Western Ghats may be characterized within the following four categories. Elevation:- Low (<500M), moderate(500M -1500M), high(>1500 M) Precipitation:-  Dry (<1000 mm), moderate(1000 mm-2500 mm) wet (>2500 mm) Topography:-  Undulating, steep slopes Hydrology :-    Along water courses, away from water courses. Such a classification will give in combination, 36 different ecological zones. The Silent Valley Plateau represents a very well preserved example of undulating terrain at mid elevation in the high rainfall zone under two zones, one along the water course, Kunthipuzha and the other away from the water course. The Silent Valley Plateau, lying at the southwest corner of Nilgiris, sloping towards the south and is practically winged in by hills. The whole of the catchment’s forests are practically undisturbed, with no historical anthropogenic degradation, the sole exception being an attempt at coffee planting over 40 ha near the middle of Silent Valley Reserve during 1842, which was promptly abandoned in 1843, and also some selective felling amounting to 43,000 M3 for sleeper extraction from the southern half of the reserve. Because of the topographic isolation of the plateau, cut off as it is from the east, north, west and south by steep ridges end escarpments; there is little permeating influence from surrounding areas into this stretch of forests. There is no representation, comparable in area to the Silent Valley in the form of riparian and non-riparian ecosystems on undulating terrain at mid-elevation and in the high rainfall zone over the entire stretch of Western Ghats in Kerala. Silent Valley forests show all the known characteristics of the tropical rain forests. These include: a great network of surface roots in physical contact with moist leaf litter, the root mat having a biomass of 18 g dry weight in 5000 M3. laurel type leaves with entire margin and with a drip-tip in the mesophyl, thick and leathery for emergent and relatively thin for the under storey species very thin bark, less than 6mm in thickness woody nature of leaflets and profusion of woody climbers and epiphytes multi layered tree species with stature of more than 60 M with a trunk typically slender and often buttressed at the base, the crown depth and width being low compared to the trunk height tree density and basal area are comparable to the richest tropical rain forests in other parts of the world multi layered nature of the forest with emergent species raising their heads above the general canopy layer, consequently imparting an undulating bumpy look to the surface The number of tree species computed for the Silent Valley (118 vascular plants of 84 species in 0.4 ha) is very high compared to a range of 60 to 140 species that characterise the other known tropical forests. The Alpha Diversity Index is 4.8, which is the same as that of another well known tropical rain forest, Barro Colorado Islands in Panama Canal. Zoological Survey of India had conducted faunal survey in 5 different locations. The specimens were sorted out into species and the groups compared. The levels of diversity in the Silent Valley were found to be much higher than those of the other areas. The limited studies of the fauna of Silent Valley reveals that its rich resources as rare and unique – rare because many species which originally inhabited the entire belt of the Western Ghats have been lost due to destruction of their habitat by human beings or for other reasons. These faunal resources however are still available in Silent Valley, because of the relatively little human intrusion. It is unique because what little has been collected and studied has already proved to be of immense scientific interest from the taxonomic, zoogeographic and ecological points of view. A number of species, which were available in the Western Ghats 50 to 100 years ago and which have not been recorded subsequently, still exist in Silent Valley. They include insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Type specimens of these, described earlier by scientists, have been deposited in museums outside India. Even prototypes are not available in India for referral studies. There are four stations in the park at different strategic locations. Year round presence of staff in these  places is the most effective protection measure. Foot patrolling  and occasional joint patrolling are done to protect the park. Now the situation had changed. Since a Buffer Zone has been created for the park, an exhaustive fool proof  protection mechanism has to be designed to protect the National Park a whole. The conventional strategies may not be enough. Certain innovative measures have to be considered to tackle the problem like poaching and ganja cultivation Eco-Develoment  As there were no human settlement inside the core area and  not many dependent communities around the park, eco development measures were on a low key. As a first step in strengthening the protection of the park a full fledged eco development programme has to be launched. Unlike other protected areas of Kerala the name Silent Valley has a special name in heart of nature lovers. Co operation and voluntary services of like minded people may also be sought in the designing and implementation of the programme. The prospect of eco development is manifold and multifaceted. At the initial phase the services of sociologists will be of immense help in bridging the gap between of the park management and the inhabitants of the Buffer Zone. Research and Monitoring A research and monitoring wing is being setup in the park to carryout small scale/ short term management oriented research and monitoring of the habitat. This wing will carry out regular monitoring of the flora /fauna in consultation with the scientists in respective fields. Apart from regular monitoring work, this wing will  carry out other surveys which are immediately useful to the park.One of the essential roles of research   wing is to assist  eco tourism and nature education. Nature trails  will becomes meaningless unless proper research is done  to produce materials and for giving training to the staff. Theme based publications and brouchers preparation by this wing will add to support nature education and eco tourism Nature Education Silent Valley is a learning centre for understanding the ecological aspects of tropical rain forests. Free two day nature camps are conducted for schools/ college students. Each camp comprises of illustrated talk on bio diversity conservation, field interpretation, nature walks, bird watching etc. Almost all schools and colleges of Palakkad district and many other institutions from other districts and adjoining states utilize this attractive facility. Apart from this paid nature camps are also organized. Habitat Protection and improvement The Buffer Zone and adjoining region of Silent Valley National Park are fire prone areas . Necessary steps like laying fire lines , engaging fire fighters etc and other preventive measures are taken to safe guard the forest wealth of Silent Valley National Park. Necessary habitat restoration woks are being considered to bring back natural vegetation of the degraded places in the newly added Buffer Zone. Located in the Nilgiri Mountain ranges, Silent Valley National Park is a wildlife paradise and boasts of lush green landscape and several wildlife species. Along with Mukhurti National Park and Karimpuzha National Park, Silent Valley National Park forms the core of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Explored in 1847 by Robert Wight, the park remains one of the last undisturbed territories of south Western Ghats montane rainforests and tropical moist evergreen forests in the country. Environmentalists saved the rich ecological beauty of the National Park from destruction by protesting against the development of a hydroelectric power plant in the valley during 1970’s. On November 15, 1984, the area of the reserved forest was declared as a National Park. The national park hosts over 1600 species of flora comprising mainly of evergreen and montane grasslands and over 858 species of fauna that includes 34 species of animals and about 500 species of butterflies and moths. It is also an excellent location for birdwatchers as the park is home to over 292 species of birds that include Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue winged parakeet, grey headed bulbul, white bellied blue flycatcher, broad tailed grass wabler, Nilgiri pipit, etc. The lion tailed macaque is the most popular attraction in Silent Valley National Park. Nilgiri langur, mouse deer, gaur, fishing cat, stripe necked mongoose, panther, etc. are some of the other exotic wildlife species found in the park. Snake lovers, if they are lucky, can be treated to the sight of cobra, King cobra, viper, rat snake and many other species of the slithery reptile. The beautiful Kunthi River which descends from an altitude of above 2000 feet from the Nilgiris passes through the national park. It is home to 13 species of fishes. Located at altitude ranging from 658 to 2383 metres and surrounded by high mountains, Silent Valley National Park enjoys salubrious climate. Located in Kerala, Silent Valley National Park is also known as Indira Gandhi National Park. However, locals refer to it as Sairandharivanam (another name of Draupadi). According to Hindu mythology, Pandavas along with Draupadi had stayed in the region of Silent Valley during during their exile. WHERE TO STAY Tourists are not allowed to camp within the Silent Valley National Park. However, there are a few dorms and guesthouses at Mukkali that provide budget accommodation. The guesthouses, inspection bungalows and dorms are comfortable and provide scenic views. However, be prepared for frequent power cuts if you plan to stay there. Most of the tourists prefer staying at Palakkad (58 km). Budget and mid-range accommodation are available in Palakkad. However, rooms are generally fully booked in Palakkad between October-March.