Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is a 97 km² national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in India, between 10º05'N - 10º20'N latitude and 77º0'E - 77º10'E longitude.

The park is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division, together with the nearby Mathikettan Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary.The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Eravikulam National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.

The main body of the park consists of a high rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of about 2,000 m. The terrain consists of high altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas. Anamudi (2695 m, the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas is inside this park. Many perennial streams criss-cross the park. They merge together to form tributaries of the Periyar river and Chalakudiyar River on the west and the east flowing Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu. 

Twenty six species of mammals have been recorded in the park including the largest surviving population ofNilgiri Tahr, estimated at about 750 in number. The other ungulates are Gaur, Indian Muntjac and Sambar Deer. Golden Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild dog, Dhole,leopard and tiger are the main predators. Some little known animals such as Nilgiri langur, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Indian Porcupine, Nilgiri Marten, small clawed otter, Ruddy Mongoose, and Funambulus sublineatus) Dusky striped squirrel are also found. Elephants make seasonal visits.

132 species of birds have been recorded which include endemics like Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, [Brachypteryx major|White Bellied Shortwing]],Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.

Endemic butterflies confined to the shola-grass land ecosystem like the Red Disk Bushbrownand Palni Fourwing are among the 101 species in the park.

19 species of amphibians have been recorded in the park.

Directions

Getting there: Eravikulam is 15 km from Munnar.

By Rail- Kottayam, about 142 km from Munnar; Ernakulam, about 130 km from Munnar. 

By Air- Madurai (Tamilnadu) about 142 km; Cochin International Airport, about 150 km.