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
