Landslide near Eravikulam National Park

Landslide near Eravikulam National Park

A landslide is an evacuated area that has been inundated by a land mass that moves down a slope because of erosion and / or the collapse of the supporting ground below. Recently, landslides have been reported at the Nayamakkad tea estate at Pettimudy which is located about 30 km from Munnar, adjacent to the Eravikulam National Park (ENP), Kerala.

About Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is the biggest National park of Kerala. It is located in the High Ranges (Kannan Devan Hills) of the Southern Western Ghats in the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District.

Hidden in this gem of nature is the famous Eravikulam National Park, the home and sanctuary of the Nilgiri Tahr. The park is spread over 97 square kilometeres and has many trekking and hiking trails and fun spots and rare flora and fauna for people of all ages to enjoy.

Eravikulam National Park is the first of its kind located in Munnar, Kerala. It is Kerala's first national park. This park is famous for its collection of tahr. Nilgiri tahr is a goat like species that is endangered.

History of Eravikulam National Park

The Muduvans, a tribal community was inhabitanted in the area in the past. The area falling under the park was a game preserve managed by the High Range Game Preservation Association during the colonial era. The Association was assigned with the task by the former Kanan Devan Hills Produce Company.

The Government of Kerala took over the area in 1971 and declared it a sanctuary in 1975. The park was given the status of national park in 1978.

The park is managed by the Department of Forests and Wildlife, Government of Kerala. The Department ensures the participation of the tribal communities in the preservation of the park. 

Topography of Eravikulam National Park

The park, situated in the Idukki district of Kerala, is spread over 97 square kilometers between 10º05'N - 10º20'N latitude and 77º0'E - 77º10'E longitude.

The area falls under the Western Ghats, the mountain range along the western side of India which has been declared as one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world.

The main part of the park is a high rolling plateau with a base elevation of about 2000 m above mean sea level. The area comprises high altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas.

The knolls and hills in the park rise up to 100-300 m and there are mountains rising over 2500m. Anamudi, the highest peak in peninsular India (2,695 m), is situated in the park.

Climate of Eravikulam National Park

The climate of the park is tropical montane. Though, latitude-wise, the park falls in the tropics, it exhibits extra tropical climate owing to the altitudinal influence.

This change in the bio-climate and geological stability is said to be important for the endemic species in the habitat.

The park receives heavy rainfall and the average annual rainfall is 3000mm. Heavy rains occur during the South-West monsoon and January-March are relatively dry months.

In winter, the temperature may even go below the freezing level.

Flora and Fauna in Eravikulam National Park

Flora: Neelakurinji, a mass flowering plant which blooms once in twelve years, grows in abundance in the Eravikulam Park. The park is a must-visit place during the kurinji flowering season.

Fauna: Besides the Nilgiri Tahr, the prestigious inhabitant of the park is Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), which has the largest surface area of wings among all moths.