ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK

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Context

• The Eravikulam National Park (ENP) in Kerala, the natural habitat of the Nilgiri tahr in Munnar, has a new attraction — a fernarium set up inside the park.

About Ferns

• They were the ecological indicator of healthy forests.
• Ferns are part of the Epiphytic family.
• They grow naturally in a soilless condition.
• The plants obtain water and nutrients through leaching from trees. A large number of ferns are on the trees inside the park.

About ENP

• Perched 7000 ft. above sea level, a former hunting preserve of the British planters, the Park today exemplifies wildlife at its best.
• It was declared a Sanctuary in 1975 with the intention of protecting the indigenous population of Nilgiri Tahr (highly endangered mountain goat).
• However, in 1978, it was declared as a National Park considering it’s ecological, faunal, geomorphological and Zoological Significance.
• This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once in twelve years.
• Highest peak south of the Himalayas – the Anamudi is located here.

Extent

• The Park covers an area of 97 Km2 of rolling grasslands and high level sholas.

Climate

• The Park receives heavy showers during the southwest (June/July) and retreating (October/November) Monsoons and is one of the wettest area of the World.

Topography

• The terrain is undulating with grass, hillocks, and sholas.
• The Anamudi, which is 2695 meters in height is situated on the southern side of the Park.

Vegetation

• The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley.
• Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Sysygium aronottianum,  Chrysopogon Zelanieus, Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji), Eulalia phaeothrix, Tripogen bromodes, Arundinella fuscata, CyanotisSpecies etc.
• The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids including the long thought extinct variety Brachycorythis wightii .

Wildlife Population

• 29 Species of mammals are found here of which 5 are endemic to the Western Ghat’s.
• The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel and wild dog are common.
• Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here.
• 140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghat’s.
• The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park.
• More than 100 varieties of butterflies have been recorded here. Besides 20 species of amphibians are also seen. 

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