Eravikulam National Park
Highlights: Nilgiri Tahr and Anamudi
How To Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport from Eravikulam National Park is Cochin International Airport (at a distance of 15 kilometers)
By Rail: The nearest railhead to visit Eravikulam is Aluva (at a distance of 115 kilometers). Kottayam is about 142 kilometers away from Ernakulam.
Road: You can reach Rajamalai by a number of buses that ply from various depots. From here you have to walk 18 kilometers to reach the Park.
Eravikulam National Park is located in the Idukki District of Kerala in the high altitudes of Western Ghats. The Park is in proximity to the famous hill station Munnar. The Sanctuary was established in 1975 and was upgraded in 1978 to achieve the level of a National Park.
The sanctuary was built as a conservatory for Nilgiri Tahr, endangered specie of wild goat. Now there is an immense boost in the population of this animal in the Park and it is reported that the Park has the largest known population of Tahr's existing in the world. The sanctuary spreads across an area of 97 square kilometers.
Various animals that can be spotted in the Park are Elephants, Lion-tailed Macaque, Atlas Moth, Sambhars, Gaurs, Nilgiri Langur, Tigers and Leopards. The Park has a unique possession, The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world.
Neelakurinji is unique specie of flowers that sprout once in 12 years. This specie grows abundantly on these grasslands, transforming vast areas of hilly terrain into floral celebration.
The tourists can enjoy trekking in the highest Peak of South India, Anamudi, located in the Park area. The months of January and February are the best time to visit Eravikulam National Park.
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