Kerala is known as “gods own country”; this beautiful south Indian state bestows nature’s hidden treasures to mankind. Eravikulam National Park is the most famous wildlife destinations in Kerala, India. Regions of Eravikulam and Rajamalai were owned by the North Travancore Land Planting Society during the British Raj, which was later handed over to the Kannan Deven Hill Produce Corporation. Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary was notified and given the status of a national park in the year 1978. The park serves as a home to most endangered species the Himalayan wild goat Nilgiri Thar.

Location:Eravikulam National Park is spread across 97 sq km area of natural splendor of lush grasslands and exotic flowers. This sanctuary is situated in the high ranges of the southern Western Ghats, in the Munnar forest Division of Idukki district in Kerala. The park extends from the latitude 9 degree 40′ in the North to the longitude 77 degree 20″ in the East.

Wildlife & Ecological System:The national park is known for the conservation of Nilgiri Thar, also the park provides shelter to mainly 26 species of mammals. Elephants, Sambars, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Langur, Tigers, Leopards, Malabar Civets, Barking Deers, Nilgai, Phython and the rarest them of all the Atlas Moth. The bird’s species of about 138 estimated numbers are found here which include: Nilgiru Wood Pegion, Kerala Laughing Thrush and White Bellied Shortwing. You can fine over a hundred species of butterflies and 19 species of amphibians. The Eravikulam National Park is well known for its ecological and geo-morphological features. The slopes of the hills are covered by various floral species. The vegetation type of the park is tropical evergreen forest covered with grasslands and shrubs are found all over the park area.

Adventure Activities:Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary hosts a lot of interesting adventurous actives like camping, safaris, site-seeing, horse-riding, helicopter rides, trekking and backwater cruises. All these adventurous activities are carried inside as well as in the town of Munnar.

Attractions near Eravikulam National Park:Munnar: One can watch the numerous tea estates in Munnar and can closely see the process of tea making at the Kundale Tea Plantation.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: It’s situated at a distance of 60 km from Munnar. Semi-Arid and Dry Deciduous Scrub Forests have Elephants, Gaur, Leopard, Sambar and the Starred Turtle are the wildlife found in this park.

Marayoor: It is 42 km from Munnar to east of the Eravikulam National Park. The place is renowned for the beauty and aroma of the sandalwood forest.
Mudapetty Dam: It’s 10 km from Munnar, a popular picnic spot. You can have the pleasure in activities like boating and horse riding over here.

Accommodations & Facilities:There are no options for accommodation within the park; tourists have to stay at Munnar to make frequent trips to the park. Visitors here can find hotels and resorts of different categories to suit their budget. Tea County Resort, Edassery Eastend, High Range Club, Gayatri Munnar Retreat and the Elysium Garden Resort are few famous hotels and resorts. Kerala Tourism Department Corporation also runs guest houses which offer excellent facilities to its guests. Rajamalai and Munnar offer STD / ISD facilities for guests, Internet connections are also easily available in Munnar.

Climate:The climate of the park is described as tropical montane. The park receives heavy rainfall with the influence of south-west monsoons in the month of (June-August). January to March is relatively dry months of the park and the weather is generally clear this time of the year. The best time to visit the park is in the months Silagra of November to April when the climate remains pleasant, the park visit timings are 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

How to Reach:Air: Cochin is the nearest airport at a distance of 135km. Private Coaches and buses can be hired from Cochin to reach Eravikulam.
Rail: Munnar is the nearest railhead town from Eravikulam; at a distance of 13km. Private Coaches and buses can be hired from Munnar to the park.
Road: Private Coaches and cabs are available on hire to reach Eravikulam from different parts of Kerala.

Eravikulam National Park Travel Tips:Tourists should avoid littering in the place, do not throw any non biodegradable material like polythene bags in the forest; this may even lead to the death of animals. The flora should not be plucked to take back home from the park. Do not throw lit matches and cigarette buds around. Avoid taking firearms and chemicals inside the park as these can cause harm to the wildlife and vegetation. Do not blow horns or play loud music inside the park as it may disturb, irritate or scare the animals.

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