Located a 45 - minute drive away from Munnar, the
Eravikulam National Park houses a rich and diverse variety of flora and fauna
and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Also known as Rajamalai Wildlife
Sanctuary, this place was managed as a game reserve by the Kanan Devan Hills
Produce Company before 1971. The control was taken over by the Karnataka
Government in 1971 and it was declared a national park in 1978. Elephant,
Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri marten, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed
macaque, small-clawed otter and a rare tiger or leopard are some of the main
animal species that can be spotted here.
The Eravikulam National park is famous for housing the
endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr. It stands out for
the ravishing beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km
in the Kannan devan hills. Anamudi, which is the highest peak south of
Himalayas at a height of 2695m, stands majestically in the central area of the
national park.
The slopes of the hills are home to many kinds of rare
plants and trees some of which are epiphytic orchids and beautiful wild
balsams. The important fauna here is the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, leopard,
tiger, Indian bison, etc. The next bloom of Neelakurinji Flowers that bloom
ever 12 years will be in 2018.
History :
Eravikulam National Park was managed as a Game Reserve by
the Kannan Devan Hill Produce Company till 1971. High Range Game Preservation
Association, which was an independent non - government organisation was the
main force responsible for the management and protection of the park. The
terrain of the park was the centre of flourishing flora and fauna and hence
attracted many hunters, naturalists, and scientists towards itself. One such
explorer was Colonel Douglas Hamilton, and modern facilities were installed
here with the establishment of North Travancore Plantation and Agricultural
Society in 1879. J.D. Munro recognized the possibilities of raising plantations
in these ranges in the year 1877 and acquired about 581.12 square kilometres of
land on concession from Poonjat Raja, a local king. This land was later
distributed among the society members who then cultivated crops such as coffee
and cinchona. However, the land was found most suitable for the plantation of
tea and eucalyptus.
Apart from being a centre of commercial cultivation,
Eravikulam was of special interest to English game hunters as well. Popular
game included Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Gaur, Wild Boar, Leopard
and Tiger. The implementation of the Kannan Devan Hills (Resumption of Lands)
Act 1971 was carried out as a result of which all lands that were not under
cultivation by the company were reverted to the Government of Kerala, which the
government intended to distribute for agricultural purposes. The land area of
Eravikulam was to be designated for cattle farming, but after an intervention
by a group of planters, bureaucrats, naturalists and scientists, the Government
of Kerala declared the area as 'Eravikulam-Rajamalai' Wildlife Sanctuary in
1975.
Eco - Tourism in
Evarikulam Park
The expanse of the Eravikulam Park is the perfect
destination for eco - tourism, and a number of activities pertaining to the
same are offered here as well. Some of these include:-
1. KFDC Flower
Garden: This wonderful flower garden is located on Munnar - Mattupetty road
and has a wide assortment of bright blossoms adorning its landscape. In
addition to hundreds of rare varieties of flowers, cactus, shrubs, creepers and
herbal plants are also present here. It is maintained by the Kerala Forest
Development Centre (KFDC) and has a number of amenities for the convenience of
tourists such as sales outlet, toilets, shop, snacks and coffee shops. If you
are in a hurry, you can easily cover this destination in about 30 minutes.
However, if you have some time on your hands, do spend an hour or two in the
lap of this beautiful natural retreat.
2. Tea Museum:
The Tea Museum in Evarikulam is a unique look into the history, cultivation and
varieties of tea that can be found in the region. You can learn a lot about the
finer points of tea production, and how the machinery employed in the process
has evolved over time to improve the quality and quantity of tea being
produced.
3. Rajamala:
Rajamala is the main tourist centre of Eravikulam National Park where one can
spot the famous Nilgiri Tahr in its natural habitat. Tourism here is open
throughout the year except for the months of February ? March every year.
Rajamala is best known for an authentic experience of Kurinji and Shola
grassland eco system. The facility to this attraction has provisions for
visitors to be picked from 5th Mile on safari buses and dropped back as well.
The park has restaurants, eco shops and an amenity centre where you can buy
basic items of requirements.
Entry time: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Fee: INR 90 (Indian, Adult), INR 65 (Indian, Child), INR
360 (Foreigner)
Reservation fee: INR 50 (Reservation counter 9:00 AM -
3:00 PM at Information centre, Munnar)
4. Lakkom Water
Falls: The beautiful cascade of the Lakkom Water Falls originates in the
Evarikulam Park, from where it flows to river Pambar, one of the east flowing
rivers in Kerala. The crystal waters of Lakkom Waterfalls make up for a
pristine view as they descend down the crevices of the hills. It lies on the
road side from Munnar to Marayoor and there lies an eco shop cafeteria and
refreshing centre to provide services to visitors.
Fee: INR 20 per person.
5. Lakkom Log
House: Located very close to the waterfall is a log house where you can
avail accommodation right in the midst of beautiful greenery of the wilderness.
This place is a great asylum away from the hustle and bustle right in the lap
of nature. Reporting time to the Log House from Lakkom Water Falls is 3:00 PM.
Tariff:
INR 3000 for two Indians
INR 4000 for foreign tourist
Extra person: INR 1000
6. Marayoor Sandal
division: Marayoor Sandal Forest Division is the only place in Kerala where
a large natural population of sandal trees is found. A stroll down this place
is certainly a tranquil experience where you can learn a lot more about this
fragrant tree and its natural habitat.
7. Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary: The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the
Western Ghats and is one of the twelve such facilities in Kerala. This region
is richly populated with a wide array of indigenous flora and fauna which makes
it an extremely popular tourist destination. Chinnar houses a myriad variety of
medicinal plants, and its animal population includes species such as grizzled
giant squirrel, star tortoise, gaur, spotted deer, tufted grey langur, slender
loris, crocodile, wild elephant, tiger, leopard and many birds.
Activities at
Evarikulam Park
In addition to exploring the wild in Evarikulam, you can
indulge in a number of other activities as well. Perhaps the first one of these
would be the Eco - Tourism here, which takes you on an excursion to various
attractions in and near the Evarikulam Park. In addition to this, you can also
explore the Kurinji trail which is an expedition into Nilgiri Thar and Kurinji
filled grass lands. The duration of the trek is 3 hours starting from 8:00 AM -
11:00 AM and 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Tariff for the same is INR 200 per person
(Indian Tourists), INR 300 per person
(Foreign National, minimum two persons). You can also behold a view of the
Anamudi Peak, which is the highest peak in all of South India. Nature Education
Camp is also held here for the benefit of youngsters and to teach them the
value of conserving the environment and taking better care of Mother Nature.
Best time to visit
:
September to November and from April to June is the best
season to visit Eravikulam National Park.
How to Reach :
This national park is almost 15 km from Munnar. The
nearest railway station from Eravikulam National park is Kottayam which is at a
distance of 142 km and Ernakulam which is at a distance of 130 km. The nearest
airport is Madurai in Tamilnadu, at a distance of 142 km and Cochin
International Airport which is about 150 km far. You can hire a taxi from the
airport or the railway station.
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