This park was earlier managed as the Game preserve by the previous Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company by the help of High Range Game Association that was resumed by the Government of Kerela under the Kannan Devan Hill Produce (Resumption of lands) Act 1971. After that in 1975 this park was declared as Eravikulam-Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary as it was recommended in Land Board Award (LB(A)2-5227/71 dt.29-3-1974). The purpose for making it sanctuary was to protect and secure highly endangered Nilgiri tahr along with its habitat (G.O No. 8907/FM/375/AD dated 31-03-1975). According to the G.O of kerela Government in 1978 this park was upgraded to the status of National Park (G.O (MS) 142/78 dated 19-05-1978). The total area of this park is about 97 sq.km that includes the grasslands of high altitudes interspersing with sholas. The main part of this National Park is located on the high rolling plateau having the elevation of the base of approx. 2000 meters above the sea level. The Park is of surging topography bearing the highest peak named as Anamudi (2690 m). The major type of fauna available in this park consists of three major types of communities that are - grasslands, shrub land and forests. Along the bases of the precipice Shrub land can be seen. The plateaus of high level along with the hills that are rising above it are mainly covered by the grasslands. The forest of Shola is situated in the folds and the valleys. The deepest valley named as the Turner’s valley divides this park almost from the center from the northwest to southeast.

General Information

History

For the previous Kannadevan Hills Produce Company during the colonial era this area was managed and controlled by the High Range Game Preservation Association as the Game preserve.

The tribal people called as Muduvan were the experts of the theit tracking skills who were employed during that time as the game watchers. These Munduvan are the original residents of these hills.

In 1975 this area was taken over by the state government of Kerela and declared as a Sanctuary. Due to the recognition of the diversified ecological importance this park was upgraded as the national park in 1978.

The planter community as well as the Muduvan tribal people has made an association that leads to the management and protection of this Sanctuary.

Flora

The major type of fauna available in this park consists of three major types of communities that are - grasslands, shrub land and forests. Primarily the topography above 2000m is mainly covered grasslands. There are also many small scraps of forests in gullies and the hollows of this area. The region present at the deeper side of the valleys is expansively forested. Along the bases of the precipice there is the predominance of the shrub lands that have been intermingled in rocky pieces areas. Eupatorium glandulosum an antibacterial Eupatorium specie can be found here.

Fauna

Other than the major surviving specie of mammals the Nilgiri Tahr, other 26 species of mammals have also be encoded in the area of this park that is round about 750 species. Some other species are Gaur, Indian Muntjac and Sambar Deer. Golden Jackal, wild dog, Jungle Cat, leopard, Dhole and tiger are certain species that acts as the main predators in this area. Some other small known animals are also found like Nilgiri langur, Indian Porcupine, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Nilgiri Marten, Ruddy Mongoose, small clawed otter and (Funambulus sublineatus) Dusky striped squirrel. Elephants are also found but seasonally.

Near about 132 species of birds can also be seen here like endemics such as Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher, White Bellied Shortwing and Kerala Laughingthrush.

The butterfly’s species are also found here but they are mainly confined to ecosystem of the shola-grass land for eg- the Red Disk Bush brown. Specie Palni Four wing are one among the 101 species found in this park.

There are about 19 species of amphibians that has been traced in this park.

Best Time To Visit

For the visitors the perfect time to visit this park is from the months between September to March.

Distance From Eravikulam National Park

Cochin is about 143 KMS and Munnar is about 15 KMS from this park.

How To Get There

Air: KThe airports available nearest to this park are the Kochi or Cochin airport that is about 143 KMS from the park. The other airport is Madurai airport situated in Tamilnadu that is about 140 KMS far from the sanctuary.

Train: EThe nearest railway station available is the Ernakulam station of Cochin that is about 130 KMS away from the park.

Road: It can be reached by road also some stations like Kumarakom 160 KMS, Periyar 113 KMS, Madurai 160 KMS, Ooty 146 KMS, Kodaikanal 195 KMS, Trivandrum 310 KMS, Coimbatore 165 KMS, Alleppey 200 KMS are available for boarding buses.

Things To Do In Eravikulam National Park

The boundary of this park is attached with the highest peak of whole of South India named as Anamudi (2,695 m) peak. For the purpose of certain adventures activities such as trekking by the visitors this peaks can be considered as a good place.

There is a very famous hill station in Kerela named as Munnar that is also popular as the tea town. This hill station is not much far from this park; it is just 15 kms that is one of the good hill stations of Kerela. The tea gardens view with a cup of tea is awesome moment that energises your body.

Location Map

Accommodation

The wildlife resorts at Eravikulam National Park are the following.

Tall tree resorts

Club mahindra resorts

For exploring the Eravikulam National Park Munnar is also a right place to stay at. The major accommodation options that are available here are:

Royal Retreat at Kannan Devan Hills

Residency at Top Station Road

Hotel Isaacs

S. N. Lodge

Govt Guest Houses at Munnar and Devikulam

Weather

Summer               25 °C (77 °F)

Winter                  17 °C (63 °F)

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