| Indira Gandhi National Park |
| About: |
| Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the finest and most attractive wildlife sanctuaries in south India. Located in the most picturesque surroundings of the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, the Mudumalai National Park covers an area of approximately 321 sq km. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai National Park from the famous Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is also a part of the famous Nilgiri Bio-sphere Reserve of IndiaMudumalai National Park is located at the foothills of the Nilgiri hills in the state of Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai which literally means ancient hills was identified as a reserve way back in 1927 and converted into a sanctuary in 1940. It is a continuation of the Bandipur National Park in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, and is separated by the river Moyar that flows along the border of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The park also has a border with the Wayanad Sanctuary in Kerala. Mudumalai is a part of the forest area which includes the Bandipur National Park and Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole) in Karnataka, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala which together constitute the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve.Nestled on the northeastern slopes of the Nilgiris, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has the distinction of being the first wildlife sanctuary to be created in South India in 1940. This gently undulating hilly terrain of the Western Ghats lies on Tamil Nadu’s interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala. Strategically located near Bandipur National Park, Waynad Sanctuary and the Sigur and Singara reserve forests, it also comes under the proposed Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The Moyar River, the most importance source of water in the sanctuary, separates Mudumalai from adjoining Bandipur, with similar flora and fauna. Since most other streams dry up in early June, you have a good chance of sighting wildlife in the dry season around the Moyar. You can see giant squirrels with ease. Known for its endemic bird species like Malabar Trogon, Malabar Grey Hornbill and Malabar Great Black Woodpecker, Mudumalai is a birdwatcher’s delight. The park forms part of an important corridor for migratory elephants who move in large herds through Nagarahole, Bandipur and Mudumalai to the forest regions of Kerala. You can interact closely with the mahouts and their tame giants at the Elephant Training Camp at Theppakadu, which has the distinction of the highest number of elephant births in captivity. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| District:Coimbatore |
| Nearest City: Gudalur – 16km |
| Best time to visit: Moderate warm climate almost through the year makes it attractive destination throughout the year but the best time to visit would be December to April. |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The mercury ranges from Min 15°C – Max 30°C |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
Fauna
The Anamalai wildlife sanctuary has various kinds of fauna like Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Deer, Wild Bear, Porcupine, Wild Dog, Flying Squirrel, Jackal, Civet Cat, Pangolin and birds like Rocket-tailed Drongo, Red Tree Pie, Whiskered Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Black Headed Oriole, Pigeon etc. There is a reservoir (the Amaravati reservoir) in the Anamalai, having a large number of crocodiles.
Attractions at Anamali
There are many places of natural and scenic beauty in the Annamalai wildlife sanctuary. Some of them are Grass hills, Karianshola, Anaikunthi Shola, groves, waterfalls, teak forests, reservoirs and dams. There are arrangements of exploring the sanctuary on elephant back or by van.Topslip is the place of first choice to most of the tourists. Ample accommodation, vehicle ride, elephant ride and regulated nature walk are provided. Adjacent Karianshola a tropical rain forest with tall rising trees and well-developed canopy forest is for serious visitors. Medicinal Plants Conservation area (MPCA) and interpretation centre here cannot be missed. In the west, it connects with Kerala’s Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and a joint visit would give a taste of varied landscape and lot of surprises.Elephant camp at Chinnar is 25 KM from Topslip. Grassy swamps and teak plantations and the Seychalli valley are other interesting spotsValparai is one of the highest mid elevation hill resort in the country. The tea plantations are surrounded by evergreen moist deciduous forest a rich elephant tract and a panther prowl.Grasshills can be reached conventionally through pollachi over the Attakatti ghat or from topslip via vargaliar and manompally. The shoals and grass lands which are continuous with the grass lands till Konalar hut and a briddle path connects the grass hills of the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar district. Rhododenron, Kurinji are popular in this tract. Tiger, panther, Elephant Nilgiri Tahr and many other wildlife are found to be peacefully existing in this area. The grass hills road ends at Konalar, a small mountain stream across which the Konalar hut is located. |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Udhagamandalam railway station 65kms ,Mysore 95 kms. |
| Nearest Airport:Coimbatore |
| Road Transport:Gudalur (16-km) is the nearest town to the sanctuary, which is situated along the Udhagamandalam – Mysore highway. This sanctuary could be reached from Mysore as well. There are regular buses from Udhagamandalam, Mysore and the neighbouring towns to the sanctuary |
| Nearest Petrol Pump:Pollachi ,Tamil Nadu. |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:Town Police Station
Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu- 31 km NWPollachi West Police Station
SH 52, Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu- 32 km NWPalani Town Police Station
SH 83, Palani, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu – 33 km EAnamalai PS
SH 21, Anaimalai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu- 33 km W
Category: PoliceThondamuthur Police Station
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 0422 2617258? – 71 km NWPolice Station Vadavalli
Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 0422 2423100- 70 km NW |
Nearest Hospital:kumaran hospital
Udumalaippettai, Coimbatore, Tamil NaduPSG Hospitals
Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu- 0422 2570170 – 65 km N
Sheela Hospitals
46, Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – 0422 2498381 – 67 km NWKG Hospital
Coimbatore, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu- 0422 2212121- 65 km NWSree Abirami Hospital
Sundarapuram, 33, Madukkarai Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641024- 042 2267 2972- 60 km NW |
