Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Kerala

Eravikulam National Park Fact Sheet:

Established: 1978

Area: 97 square kilometer

Location: Devilukam Taluk, Idduki District, Kerala

Latitude: 10 ^o 05′ – 10 ^o 20′ N

Longitude: 77 ^o 0′ – 77 ^o 10′ E

Climate: Tropical Montane

Temperature: Mean maximum 29 ^o C, Mean minimum (winter) 3 ^o C

Rainfall: Annual average 5000 mm

Humidity: Mean 80%

Altitude: From 1400 mts to 2695 mts

Highest peak: Anamudi (2695 mts)

Vegetation: Southern montane wet temperate forest and Southern montane wet temperate grassland

I visited Eravikulam national park in the last week of May. This wild life park is located high on the hill range of Nilgiri hills. Inside the park is the highest hill of south India – Anamudi (2695 m). The Kerala forest department claims Eravikulam national park have Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger, Nilgiri Marten, gaur, Asiatic Elephant, Sambar, Nilgiri Langur, Asiatic wild Dog, Jackal, Jungle cat, Mangoose, Barking deer etc. You will get to see only the engendered Nilgiri tahr within the allowed visitor limit. Due its elevation this place remains cool and misty most of the time.

Entry fees: Rs 35 / person

Camera fees: Rs 20

The entry fees includes transportation in a mini bus from base to the National park. Private vehicle entry to the park is not allowed and has to be parked at the base. At the entrance of the park there is small museum which talks about the inhabitant species and the park’s history. From this point one has to walk on a incline around 2 km to reach the limit where visitors are allowed. This is a very picturesque place and should be enjoyed in leisure. A very nice place to the see the Nilgiri Tahr in their natural habitat and photograph them.

Nilgiri tahr is from the family of mountain goat which also comprises the Himalayan goat and Arabian goat. This beautiful cliff goats walks effortlessly through the sharp slopes of hills. I had only seen on TV how goat walks in the mountains. Here I was able to see them naturally walking on the cliff in front of me. They have their horns bent backwards. The skin is little greyish and brownish in color. The male are little bigger in size and have little more dark skin color. My understanding is that, they are habituated with people visiting the park as they find themselves at ease with people around. I was able to photograph a Nilgiri tahr very close on the face of a hill where it was eating something. It was amazing to see the herds walking so easily on sharp slopes.

Just do not run after them and make noise. This way you will better opportunity of viewing them from close quarters. I was sitting at the pickup/drop stand and a herd of Nilgiri tahr come within a distance of 1 meter. So do not disturb them and you will enjoy more.

For more pictures visit, Travelingbeats Photo Gallery.