::
Idukki - Eravikulam
-
The Home Of The Nilgiri Tahr |
 Originally
established to protect the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex),the
Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Devikulam
Taluk of the Idukki District. It was declared a sanctuary
in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral,
geo - morphological and zoological significance, it
was declared a National park in 1978. It covers an area
of 97 sq kms of rolling grasslands and high level sholas
(evergreen forests). The park is breathtakingly beautiful
and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges
found anywhere in the world.
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Topography |
The
area is undulating, dotted with grass hillocks and sholas.
Anamudi(2694m), the highest peak South of the Himalayas,
is situated in this Park. |
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Climate |
The
area receives heavy rains during both the monsoons.This
is one of the wettest areas of the world. During the
winter months of December to February, the occurrence
of frost is quite common. |
| ::
Forest Types |
The
major portion of this area is covered with grasslands
, but there are several patches of sholas seen in valleys. |
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Flora |
Actinodaphne
bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium,
Sysygium arnottianum, chrysopogon zelanieus, eupatorium
adenophorum, strobilanthes kunthianus(Neelakurunji),
eulalia phaeothrix, tripogen bromodes, arundinella fuscata,
cyanotis species are all found here. |
| ::
Fauna |
 This
Park is home to the Nilgiri Tahr supporting a population
of 1317 according to the 1991 census.This is a success
story of conservation since in 1989, there were fewer
than 800. Other animals found are the tiger, panther
and wild dogs which are usually sighted in both the
open grasslands and the shola forests. Civet cat and
jungle cat also live in the sholas. Sloth bear, Nilgiri
langur and wild boar are generally found in sholas and
on their fringes. The Atlas moth, the largest of its
kind in the world, is seen in this park. |
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Administration |
Eravikulam
National park is under the control of the Wild life
warden, Idukki Division with Head quarters at Painavu(Vellapara)
and under the direct charge of the Assistant wild life
warden with Headquarters at Rajamala. |
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Wildlife Tourism |
 Tourists
can visit the Rajamala part of the Park with entry passes.
The park is nearly 15 kms North of Munnar, which can
be reached from Kochi(135kms) and Kottayam(148kms).The
nearest Airport is Kochi and the nearest Railway station
is Aluva,which is 115 km from Munnar. Tourists are not
permitted inside the core area of the Park. |
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Accommodation |
A
large number of hotels and resorts are available for
the convenience of the guests. Contact kerala.com travel
division www.keralatravels.com |
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Important Information's |
| Latitude |
10°10'-
10°20'N |
| Longitude |
77°0'
- 77°10'E |
| Area |
97
sq km |
| Terrain |
Elevation
varies from 1,400m to 2694 m. |
| Rainfall |
Average
4500mm. Rainy season is from June to December. |
| Climate |
Mean
summer temperature 29°C
Mean winter temperature 3°C. |
|
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Rajamala (15
Km's from Munnar) |
 This
is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr. Half the
world population of the rare mountain goat (hemitragas
hylocres) which is fast becoming extinct, is now found
here. The Nilgiri Tahrs are today reduced to small herds
found in Eravikulam - Rajamala region. The total number
of Nilgiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1317. Visitors
are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the
Rajamala region. The Nilgiri Tahrs can be observed at
close quarters here.
Visiting Time :
0700 - 1800 hrs.
Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
Entry Pass :
Rs. 10 for adults, Rs. 5 for children below 12 years,
Rs. 50 for foreigners.
Permitting Authority :
Wild Life DFO, Munnar. Tel. : 91-486-530487. |
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Precautions In The Jungle Do
's and Dont's |
1. |
Do
not expect to see animals as a matter of routine.
Be patient |
2. |
Silence
and Discipline pay . Control children. |
3. |
Small
groups are ideal. |
4. |
Early mornings and late afternoons are
best suited to visiting forests. |
5. |
Do not travel alone, especially in Elephant
Reserves. |
6. |
Carry
drinking water, tea, coffee, snacks etc. |
7. |
Do
not wear colourful clothes and perfumes. |
8. |
Trekkers
must use jungle boots for safety |
9. |
Do
not disturb or tease animals. |
10. |
Carry
medicines for common aliments. |
11. |
Avoid
smoking. |
12. |
Radios
and Taperecorders are better left behind. |
13. |
Do
not throw litter around including food. |
14. |
Respect
animals and their customs. |
15. |
Do not take any thing from the sanctuary. |
16. |
Carry a note book, flash light, road maps, bus,
train and airline time- tables. |
17. |
Do
not swim in unfamiliar waters. |
18. |
Be
careful during a boat ride. Do not do anything that
can rock the boat. Do not bend to touch the
water. |
19. |
Travel
light and do not carry any valuables except cameras
and binoculars. |
20. |
Seek
assitance of a forest guard while going into the
forests. |
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| Usefull
Links... |
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| Various
Maps... |
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