Eravikulam
Wildlife sanctuary
Introduction :
Originally established to
protect the Nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam Park is situated
in Devikulam taluk of the Idukki district. It was declared
as a sanctuary in 1975, and considering its ecological, faunal,
floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it
was declared as a National Park in 1978. It covers an area
of 97 sq.kms of rolling grasslands and high level shoalas.
The park is breath-takingly beautiful and is comparable to
the best of mountain ranges in the Alps.
Topography
:
The area is undulating, dotted with grass
hillocks and sholas. Anamudi (2694m), the highest peak, south
of the Himalays, is situated in the south of the park.
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 hollows and
valleys.
Flora
:
Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, pittosporum
tetraspermium, Sysygium arnottianum, Chrysopogon zelanieus,
Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthes, Kunthi anus (Neelakurinji),
Eulalia phaeothrix, Tripogen bromodes, Arundninella fuscata
and Cyanotis species.
Fauna
:
Tiger, panther and wild dogs are usually sighted in both the
open grass land sholas forests. Civet cat and jungle cat also
live in the sholas. Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur and wild boar
are generally found in sholas and their fringes. The Atlas
moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is seen in this
park. The population of the world famous Nilgiri Tahr is 1317
according to the 1991 census. There were only 885 in 1989.
Travel
Information :
Tourists can visit the
Rajmala part of the park with entry passes. The park is nearly
15 kms north of Munnar, which can be reached from Kochi (135
kms) and Kottayam (148 kms). The nearest airport is Kochi
and the nearest railway station is Aluva, which is 115 kms
from Munnar
|
