Eravikulam National Park

About Eravikulam National Park:

• Location: Idukki District, Kerala
• Area: 97 sq. Km
• It was declared as a National Park in 1978.
• This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once in twelve years.
• The highest peak south of the Himalayas – The Anamudi (2695 meters) is situated in this park.
• Topography: The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley.
• Flora:
• Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji)
• The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids including the long thought extinct variety Brachycorythis wightii.
• Fauna:
• 29 Species of mammals are found here of which 5 are endemic to the Western Ghats.
• The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel and wild dog are common.
• Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here.
• 140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghats.
• The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park.
• More than 100 varieties of butterflies and 20 species of amphibians are also seen here.

Nilgiri Tahr:

• It is a sure-footed ungulate that is endemic to the southern part of Western Ghats.
• Scientific name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius
• It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: “Endangered”
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972 : Schedule 1