The Indira Gandhi National Park named after the late Prime Minister
Smt Indira
Gandhi is located in the Anamalai hills in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The
forests, a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve consists of the park as well as
a sanctuary formerly known as Anamalai Wildlife sanctuary with a combined area of 95,860 hectares.
The national park
covers an area of 108 sq kms. and the sanctuary is spread
over an area of 958 sq km.
The
National Park, with its main tourist zone known as Top Slip, has an altitude
varying from 350m to 2,400 metres above sea level and has an excellent variety of flora as
well as fauna. The terrain consists of thickly
wooded hills, rolling grasslands, plateaus and deep valleys. It has an annual rainfall between 500
mm to 5000 mm.
The vegetation that covers most of the park is of the
mixed deciduous variety. There are rich evergreen and
semi -evergreen forests. The semi-evergreen and the
wet temperate habitat of this park contain teak, rose
wood and many miscellaneous tropical species. The park
comprises of around 8,000 species of plants.
Some of the
rare and endangered species of flora, which are found
in the Park are Combretum Ovalifolium, Dispyros nilagrica,
Gymnopteris Contaimirans, Habebarai Reriflora,
Polypodum Pleroupus, Alsophila, Bulbophyllum sp,
Lasianthus uenuloses, Angiopterris Erectra, Gnetum
Ula, Impaliens Elegans, Lycopodium cernum, Ranunculus Reniformis and Osmunda Regulis. Trees have placards
with their botanical names and other details.
The animal population of this park is equally diverse as the flora. It has some of the more fierce and aggressive
creatures like Tigers, Panthers, Wild Boar, Sloth Boar
etc. Elephants, Pangolin, Sambar,
Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Spotted deer, Nilgiris Tahr,
Civet Cat etc. are found in large numbers. Arboreal animals, like the rare Lion-tailed
macaque, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Nilgiris
langur, Malabar giant squirrel and Grizzled giant
squirrel are also found in the park.
Around 500 species of birds, including resident and migratory birds are found
in the park. Species of birds include Cormorants, Quails, Hornbills, Orioles, Storks, Eagles
and Owls. Some of them are Racket Tailed
Drongo, Wynad laughing thrush, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher,
Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon,
Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose
Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar
Pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird, Green Billed Malkhoha etc. Top Slip is the
main birding area. There is a watch tower overlooking a reservoir around 1km
from the edge of the Karian Shola on Top Slip. Many of the birds can be seen on
the way as well as from the watch tower.
Facilities inside the park
Motor vehicles and elephants for riding are available on hire. Trekking is
allowed inside the park accompanied by a park guide. There are possibilities of
sightings of giant squirrels, deer, bisons, hornbills, elephants etc. The park is open from 6
am to 6 pm for visitors.
Entry Fee : below five years - Free, Children
above five years and below 12 years - Rs.10.00, School Children (Age 5 to 12
years) from Government and aided Schools - Rs.2.00, School Children from Private
Schools (Age 5 to 12 years) - Rs.10.00. Adult : 15.00.
Still Camera: Rs.25, Handy Camera /
Video Camera - Rs.150, Charges for documentary educational films using Handy
camera and Video Camera - Rs.2000.
Parking vehicle charges : Heavy vehicle
: no fee, Motor car/van Rs. 15.00; Motor Cycle : Rs. 5
Accommodation :
There is a large tourist complex inside the park at Top Slip
with rooms and cottages for stay plus a canteen supplying meals. The complex
also has a small museum and some medicinal plants. There are also Forest Rest
Houses with catering arrangements at Varagaliar, Amaravathi and Sethumadai.
Public Works Department (PWD) Rest houses are there at Udumalpet and Amaravathi
and Electricity Board Rest House at Attakatti. 2km from the Topslip entry there
is the Ambuli Illam guesthouse along with a restaurant, Mt. Stuart rest house
beautifully located but without basic amenities. Alternatively one can stay at
Pollachi or Coimbatore.
How to get there:
Air : Nearest airport is at Coimbatore (75 kms ) from the park.
Rail : Nearest Railway station is Pollachi 35 kms away. There are
trains from here to Coimbatore and Dindigul.
Road : Pollachi is a large town well connected to the main cities
in Tamil Nadu. There are regular buses
from Coimbatore (40 km) and Palani to Pollachi. There are buses available to the
park from Pollachi (35km) and back. Taxis and jeeps are also available at
Pollachi.
Contact:
