Eravikulam

Eravikulam National Park protects 97 square kilometers of high-elevation montane grasslands and shola forests in Kerala's Western Ghats, serving as the last refuge for the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat endemic to southern India. The park's rolling grasslands, known as "sholas and grasslands," exist above 2,000 meters elevation, creating a unique landscape found nowhere else on Earth. Anamudi, South India's highest peak at 2,695 meters, rises within park boundaries, its summit often shrouded in clouds that bring the monsoon moisture essential to this ecosystem. The park supports a remarkable concentration of endemic species, with over 130 plant species, numerous butterflies, and birds found only in the Western Ghats high altitudes. During August-September, the grasslands transform into carpets of purple as endemic Neelakurinji flowers bloom in their rare synchronized cycle occurring once every 12 years. Established in 1978, Eravikulam represents one of India's most successful species recovery stories, with Nilgiri tahr populations rebounding from near extinction.

Eravikulam is renowned for hosting the largest surviving population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), with approximately 700 individuals. Other notable wildlife includes the Nilgiri Langur, Small-clawed Otter, and Indian Giant Squirrel. The park is home to around 26 species of mammals, 132 species of birds, including the Black-and-Orange Flycatcher and Nilgiri Pipit, 19 species of amphibians, and numerous butterflies. Several species found here are endemic to the Western Ghats.

The park showcases a rich diversity of high-altitude plants, including approximately 132 species of flowering plants. The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), which blooms once every 12 years, carpeting the hills in purple, is the park's most famous floral attraction. The vegetation is characterized by montane shola forests in the valleys and grasslands on the hills. Notable species include various orchids, rhododendrons, and endemic medicinal plants. The park also contains numerous rare and endangered plant species unique to the Western Ghats.

The park is characterized by high-altitude grasslands and rolling hills, situated in the Western Ghats mountain range. The terrain consists primarily of montane shola-grassland ecosystem, formed over millions of years of geological activity. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India at 2,695 meters, dominates the landscape. The park's rocky outcrops and plateaus are composed of ancient Precambrian rocks, primarily gneisses and granites. The unique geological features create distinct microclimates that support diverse flora and fauna.

Eravikulam National Park experiences a cool, temperate climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 23°C. The region receives both southwest and northeast monsoons, with heavy rainfall between June and September. Winter months (December to February) are particularly cold with frequent frost. The best time to visit is between September and November or March to May when the weather is pleasant and clear. During the early morning hours, the park is often shrouded in mist, which typically clears by mid-morning, offering spectacular views of the rolling hills.

Established in 1978, Eravikulam National Park was originally the hunting grounds of the British during colonial times, particularly the Kanan Devan Hills Tea Company. The area was declared a sanctuary in 1975 to protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and later elevated to National Park status. The park has historical significance as one of the first concerted conservation efforts in Kerala, with the local Muthuvan tribal community playing an integral role in its preservation. The region's tea plantation history is still evident in the surrounding landscapes.

The Eravikulam plateau was managed as a game preserve by the Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company during British colonial times, with controlled access helping maintain tahr populations while surrounding areas were converted to tea plantations. Scientific surveys in the 1960s revealed the Nilgiri tahr's precarious status, with only about 100 animals remaining in fragmented populations, prompting conservation advocacy for protection. National park designation in 1978 provided legal protection that, combined with effective anti-poaching measures, allowed tahr populations to recover to over 3,000 animals by the 2010s. The park was expanded in 2003 to include additional grassland areas critical for tahr habitat, bringing total area to 97 square kilometers. The 2006 Neelakurinji blooming attracted over 600,000 visitors, overwhelming the small park and leading to better tourism management systems for subsequent blooming events. Recent conservation history has focused on balancing increasing tourism pressure with protection of the fragile high-altitude ecosystems and continued tahr recovery.

The park's most distinctive feature is Anamudi Peak, offering challenging trekking opportunities and panoramic views. The Rajamalai Tourism Zone, the main visitor area, provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. The park's unique shola-grassland ecosystem is considered one of the best preserved in the Western Ghats. The Neelakurinji blooming phenomenon attracts visitors from around the world every 12 years. The park also features several streams and waterfalls, and its proximity to Munnar makes it an integral part of Kerala's tourism circuit.

The park is located 15 kilometers from Munnar, Kerala's popular hill station, with excellent road access and regular bus services making it one of South India's most easily accessible high-altitude protected areas. The main visitor area at Rajamalai opens daily (except during monsoon closure in February-March for calving season), with a nominal entry fee and shuttle buses transporting visitors from the gate to viewpoints. Well-maintained paved paths allow easy walking through grasslands where habituated Nilgiri tahr often graze nearby, providing exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities rare in Indian parks. A small visitor center provides information about park ecology and conservation, with staff available to answer questions and ensure visitors follow rules protecting the sensitive environment. Accommodation is not available within the park, but Munnar offers extensive options ranging from budget hotels to luxury resorts, all within easy day-trip distance. The park is open most of the year except February-March, with September-October offering spectacular Neelakurinji blooms during the 12-year flowering cycle, while November-May provides clear weather for views of Anamudi peak.

Nilgiri tahr conservation continues as the primary focus, with regular population monitoring tracking recovery and informing habitat management decisions that maintain grassland quality. Invasive species control targets exotic plants like pine and wattle that threaten to encroach on grasslands, with removal programs protecting the open habitats essential for tahr and grassland specialists. Fire management maintains the shola-grassland mosaic by preventing woody plant encroachment while avoiding fires so intense they damage soil and native vegetation. Tourism management systems limit visitor numbers in sensitive areas while providing education about conservation, balancing economic benefits for local communities with ecosystem protection. The park participates in Western Ghats landscape-level conservation initiatives coordinating tiger corridor protection and endemic species conservation across state boundaries. Climate change monitoring tracks elevational shifts in vegetation zones, with concerns about high-altitude species like the Nilgiri tahr having limited options if warming temperatures push their optimal habitat upward beyond mountain tops.