Eravikulam

Eravikulam National Park is located in Idukki District of Kerala, India, along the Western Ghats. It is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

Understand
The park with an area of 97 km² is being considered by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

Landscape
The maximum temperature is 27°C while the lowest is 17°C. It is watered heavily by the south west monsoons.

Flora and fauna
26 species of mammals have been recorded in the park including the largest surviving population of Nilgiri Tahr, estimated at about 750. 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 elephants. 132 species of birds which include endemics like Black-and-orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Yellow-Throated Marten, White Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher and Kerala Laughingthrush.

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

19 species of amphibians have been recorded in the park.

Climate
Three major types of plant communities are found in the Park - grasslands, shrub lands and forests

Get in
The department of Forests and Wildlife operates minibuses for ecological reasons. It is 13 km from Munnar. The nearest Railway station is Alwaye (120 km).

Fees and permits
₹35 for Indians and ₹200 for foreigners.

See
The expansive wildlife, Kurinji bloom and the scenic forests.