Eravikulam National Park

"A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,
I listen'd, motionless and still;
And, as I mounted up the hill,”

- William Wordsworth

These lines of the feted Romantic English poet will recur in your mind once you start ascending the heights of the Kannan Devan Hills and head towards the The Eravikulam National Park. The distant, unknown resonating sounds of nature’s untamed denizens will surely inspire your poetic imagination and you will realize what made Wordsworth create such immortal, natural poetry.

The term Eravikulam literally means streams and pools. The Eravikulam National Park lies in the forest region, about 15 kms from Munnar and is intersected by a number of frothing streams or rills.It is a billowing plateau with an altitude of 2000 meters, set atop the Western Ghats with grasslands overgrown with shola (patches of stunted evergreen forests). This Park houses the highest peak of the Himalayas- Anamudi (2690 m) and offers stunning views of the majestic hills. You will marvel at this mist- wrapped pinnacle which sometimes glistens in the sunbeam.

You can also enjoy the thrill of trekking in this mountainous region and explore nature’s widespread bounty.

Location- Eravikulam National Park is located in the lofty ranges of the Southern Western Ghats, in the Kannan Devan Hills in the Devikolam Taluk of Idukki district in Kerala. Area- 97 sq. km. in extent

Best time to visit: October to March

History- This area was under the authority of the Game Preservation Association and utilized the area as a Game Preserve for Kannadevan Hills Produce Company. The Muduvan tribals who originally inhabited the place, worked as game watchers. However the Kerala Government announced this as a Sanctuary in 1975.It came into existence as a National Park in 1978 for its extraordinary ecological traits.

Flora and Fauna- This Park exhibits a varied range of biodiversity. Owing to latitudinal and altitudinal variations, the park sustains the the shoala-ecosystem. Exquisite and exotic array of orchids and balsams beautify the park. Most interestingly, the soil of this park nurtures the peculiar shrub- Nelakurunji (Phlebophyllum kunthianum) which burst into lovely blue blossoms at long intervals of every 12 years.2006 has witnessed this unusual blossom.

The Park has the highest number of Nilgiri Tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrius) about 700, who are considered to be endangered. Actually the Western Ghats are the natural habitat of these tahrs. The adult male which is larger and blacker than the female and has a saddle like silverfish dapple in its back and is hence called 'saddle back'.

Besides the tahrs there are other creatures such as striped squirrels, ruddy mongoose, Nilgiri marten and small clawed otters. Carnivores like tigers, leopards and Wild dogs inhabit the place. Sometimes elephants also visit the place seasonally.

There are about 120 species of birds of which Nilgiri pipit, black and orange colored flycatcher, Nilgiri verditer flycatcher, white bellied short-winged Nilgiri Wood pigeon and the laughing thrush are all autochthonic avifauna of Kerala.

The red bushbrown and the four-winged Palni are among the 100 kinds of butterflies that exist in the eco-system of the shola-grass land in the park.

Connectivity-

Nearest Town- Munnar is 13 lm away.

By Air- Kochi Airport located 148 Km away and Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) 175 Km away.

By Rail- The nearest railway station is Aluva that is 120 Km away from Munnar in Kerala. Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu lies about 165 km away.

By Road-The only road where motors can ply inside the park passes through Rajamala to the Rajamallay tea estate. However the park is more accessible by foot along footpaths and trails. Buses are available from Munnar.