Munnar with its picturesque landscape, cool climate,tranquillity of nature and its strategic location and proximity to Thekkady made it a much sought after destination of nature visitors across the world. The visitors mostly prefer various wilderness areas in Munnar . Munnar Wildlife Division is the headed by a Wildlife Warden with Head Quarters at Munnar.
The most sought after destination in Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, the first of its kind in Kerala, where the endangered Nilgiri Thar is protected. Spread over 97 sq. km., this park holds the largest viable population of Tahr, several other species of rare animals, birds and butterflies.
The park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also of the rolling hills caressed by blankets of mist. The park becomes a hot destination when the hill slopes get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji.
The sanctuary is located in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats and represents a large number of plants and animals unique to the dry thorny forest vegetation.
It is a well known repository of medicinal plants and supports a healthy population of Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Star tortoise, Tufted Grey Langur, various birds, Yellow throated bulbul and insects like Tarantula. Albizia lathamii, a critically endangered tree species has been reported from the dry forests of Chinnar. The presence famous ‘white bison of Manjampatti’ is another significance of Chinnar.
Shola forests are found in the higher altitude hill regions of the Nilgiris, Kanyakumari district, the Western Ghats and associated ranges in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Although generally said to occur above 2000 meters above sea level, shola forests can be found at 1600 meters elevation in many hill ranges (e.g. Biligiriranga Hills).
The origin of the shola forest and grassland complex has been the subject of scientific debate. Some early researchers suggested that the floristic composition represents a stable final state or climax vegetation. for more need to know click here
