Famous National Parks in Kerala

Kerala is home to a wide variety of animal, bird and plant species unique to the region. Some species are only found here, which makes the biosphere of Kerala one of the richest biodiversities in India and in the world. Several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries here include Periyar National Park, a famous national park built in Kerala to preserve wildlife in their habitats. Here is all about the national parks built in Kerala and what makes them unique and worth visiting.

Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is a 97-square-kilometre park in Kerala, India, located in the Western Ghats within Idukki and Ernakulam districts. It is Kerala’s first national park.

The Kerala Division of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division, manages Eravikulam National Park. The park is home to 26 species of mammals, including the biggest surviving group of Nilgiri tahr, estimated at 750 animals. Jungle cat, leopard dhole, and sambar deer are the other ungulates. The principal predators are the wild dog, gaur, Golden jackal, Indian muntjac, lion-tailed macaques, and tiger. Small-clawed otters, ruddy mongoose, Nilgiri marten, dusky palm squirrel, stripe-necked mongoose, Indian porcupine, and Nilgiri langur are among the lesser-known creatures present here. Elephants come to the park regularly.

There are 132 species of birds documented, including endemics such as the black-and-orange flycatcher, white-bellied shortwing, and Nilgiri flycatcher, as well as the Kerala laughing thrush. Nilgiri wood pigeon and Nilgiri pipit are two types of Nilgiri birds. The park contains three major plant communities: grasslands, shrublands, and woods. Grasslands cover most of the region above 2000 metres. However, there are several little pockets of woodland in hollows and gullies at these locations. In deeper valleys, there is much vegetation. Shrublands abound at the cliffs’ bases, with stony slab sections intermingled. It is here where one finds the antibiotic Eupatorium glandulosum. Many little mosses and lichen can be found in this monate woodland vegetation.

Silent Valley National Park

In Kerala, India, the Silent Valley National Park is situated in the Nilgiri hills and has an 89.52 km2 core area surrounded by a 148 km2 buffer zone. There are some uncommon kinds of flora and fauna in this national park. Robert Wright, a botanist, first visited this area in 1847. It lies on the border between the Palakkad district’s Mannarkkad Taluk, Kerala’s Malappuram district’s Nilambur Taluk, and Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district. 

It is of great significance to ecologists since human settlements have never harmed the rich biodiversity. Several endangered species are native to this area. Here, new species of plants and animals are frequently discovered. The Ceylon frogmouth and the big Indian hornbill are two rare bird species found here. The park’s highest peak at Diaspora, a 2006 winter bird survey revealed the raptor species’ long-legged buzzard. The red-winged cuckoo, Kerala pied hornbill, and pale harrier were among the ten endangered species discovered during the survey, according to the IUCN Red List.

Anamudi Shola National Park

Anamudi Shola is a famous national park built in Kerala, India, located in the Western Ghats in the Idukki district. It comprises three sholas: Mannavan, Idivara, and Pollard, with a total size of about 7.5 km2. A significant number of faunal and floral species call the national park home. The park is home to some of the world’s rarest flora and creatures not found anywhere else.

These wild flora and fauna have a secure and peaceful home in the park. Spotted deer, Hanuman langur, sambar, grizzled giant squirrel, elephant, tiger, gaur, Nilgiri tahr, flying squirrels, sloth bear, and others are the park’s abundant wildlife.

Mathikettan Shola National Park

Mathikettan Shola National Park, located in the Idukki district, is a renowned national park famous for its elephant reserves. The state government proclaimed the shola woods in Mathikettan a national park in 2008, recognising its unique ecology and significance as an elephant corridor. Evergreen woods, shola grasslands, and semi-evergreens can all be found in the Mathikettan Shola National Park. The park has the gaur, sambar, boar, wild dog, and jungle cat, which all have a diverse range of animal life. It is a hub for biodiversity and a treasure trove of therapeutic herbs.

Pampadum Shola National Park

The Pampadum Shola National Park is among the smaller national parks in Kerala, India, located in the Idukki district. It shares a border with the Tamil Nadu district of Dindigul. The Munnar Wildlife Division of the Kerala Ministry of Forests and Wildlife manages the park. The Allinagaram Reserved Forest is adjacent to the park. The park protects a modest amount of montane deciduous shola forest linked to Eravikulam National Park, home to a diverse range of animals. 

There are many different types of medicinal herbs here that have been studied. Following the forest range, Grandis (a kind of eucalyptus) threatens the area’s ecology because of its dehydrating and fast-spreading characteristics. These trees and the private legal and illegal cultivation of the same plants continue to pose a serious threat. 

Conclusion

Kerala’s biodiversity is among the best in the country, comprising some of the earth’s rarest fauna and flora. It is essential to preserve these national parks to sustain the inhabitants of these reserves and enable their growth. The state and central governments need sound policies to promote eco-tourism and maintain the sanctity of these parks intact.