Eravikulam National Park

A national park is an area reserved for the protection of wildlife and biodiversity and where activities such as development, forestry, poaching, hunting, and grazing on cultivation are prohibited. The boundaries of a national park are clearly defined and delineated. The Eravikulam National Park is located in Kerala’s Idukki district and provides habitat to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (which holds the largest population of Tahrs in the world). It is spread over an area of 97 square kilometres and displays the natural beauty of grasslands and exotic flowers. The highest peak of the Western Ghats (Annamudi) towers majestically over the sanctuary. Elephants, Sambhars, Gaurs, Atlas Moths, Lion-tailed Macaques, Nilgiri Langurs, Tigers, and Leopards can also be found in the park.

History

During the colonial era, this area was managed and controlled by the High Range Game Preservation Association. The tribal people known as Munduvan were the first people to live in these hills. They were experts in their tracking skills and were employed as game watchers at that time. The Kerala state government took over this area in 1975 and declared it a sanctuary. In 1978, this park was designated as a national park in recognition of its diverse ecological importance. Eravikulam National Park is the first national park in Kerala. The planter community and the Muduvan tribal people have formed an alliance for the management and protection of this sanctuary.

Geography

The Eravikulam National Park is located in the Idukki district of Kerala, along the Western Ghats, covering an area of 97 Km2. The park comprises a high rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of approximately 2,000 m. The park is divided into three geographical zones: the core zone, the buffer zone, and the tourism zone. This region’s topography is primarily composed of high-altitude grasslands interspersed with patches of stunted evergreen tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests known as shoals. Furthermore, the highest peak south of the Himalayas, the Anamudi, which stands at 2695 metres, is located on the park’s southern border. The majority of the park is covered in rolling grasslands, but there are a few patches of shola forest in the upper valley.

Climate

The southwestern monsoon has a significant impact on the climate of the Eravikulam National Park. The weather is pleasant during January and February months, and the temperature is generally around 17 degrees Celsius. The monsoon months are from June to August when the region receives the most rainfall. While a little rainfall is brought by the northeast monsoon in the months of September to December. The months of April and May observe the maximum temperature that reaches up to 25 degrees Celsius. The months from October to February are the best times to visit this park.

Flora

The Eravikulam National Park contains three major types of plant communities: grasslands, shrublands, and forests. Grasslands cover the majority of the high plateau and hills. While shrub lands grow along the cliff faces, shola forests grow in valleys and folds. The park is home to the world’s largest contiguous and undisturbed Shola grassland ecosystem, rich in orchids and balsams. Eravikulam National Park is known for “Neelakurinji,” a flower that blooms only once every twelve years. The park contains many rare plant varieties that are endemic to the Western Ghats. A rare species of orchid, known as Brachycorythis wightii, which has almost been driven to extinction, was recently discovered in the park. In addition to medicinal plants, such as Drosera peltata, the park contains wild varieties of cultivated plants, such as Piper schmidti, Elettaria cardamomum, Pittosporum tetraspermum, Chrysopogon Zelanieus, Eupatorium adenophorum, etc.

Fauna

The Eravikulam National Park provides a safe habitat for Nilgiri Tahr (which holds the largest population of Tahrs in the world). Important mammal species, like Gaur, jungle cat, wild dog, dhole, Indian muntjac, sambar deer, golden jackal, leopard, tiger, Nilgiri langur, Indian porcupine, Nilgiri marten, small-clawed otter, stripe-necked mongoose, ruddy mongoose, and funambulus sublineatus dusky striped squirrels are also found in the park. There are 132 bird species recorded, including endemics such as the White Bellied Shortwing, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Yellow-Throated Marten, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, and Kerala Laughingthrush. Many butterfly species can also be found here, but they are mostly restricted to the ecosystem of shola-grassland, such as the Red Disk Bush brown, Specie Palni Four wing, etc.

Conclusion

Eravikulam was designated as a sanctuary in 1975 to protect the indigenous Nilgiri Tahr population (endangered mountain goat). However, due to its ecological, faunal, geomorphological, and zoological significance, it was designated as a national park in 1978. Eravikulam National Park is known for “Neelakurinji,” a flower that blooms only once every twelve years. This region is endowed with very pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 17 to 25 degrees Celsius. The Park is breathtakingly beautiful, easily comparable to the best Alps mountain ranges, and also has a wide range of fauna and flora. Anamudi, the highest peak in the Western Ghats, is located here. Nature lovers will find plenty of opportunities for trekking expeditions and wildlife spotting in this sanctuary.