Tamilnadu Wildlife Sancturies

Mudumalai Sanctuaries

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary : It is located at an elevation of 1140 mts at the tri point junction of the States of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu . First of its kind to be set up in India and forms a part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Park. It's area is around 321 Sq.Kms. Tropical Evergreen Forest, moist Deciduous Forest, moist Teak Forest, dry Teak Forest and secondary Grassland Swamps are found here.

It is an exciting place to see animals like Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Mouse deer, Sloth bear , Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Blackbuck, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Four-horned Antelope (Chowsingha), Wild Dog, Striped Hyena, Small Indian Civet , Wild Boar, Porcupine, Slender Lories and so on. Tigers are largely elusive but leopards on the move are frequently seen. Ombetta vayal, a swampy area is mid way between upper Kargudi and Mudumalai Game Hut is a place to lookout for Elephant and Bison.

The Sanctuary is well connected by National Highway. All buses plying from Mysore to Udhagamandalam stops at the Reception Centre at Theppakkadu. Theppakkadu Elephant Camp established in 1972 is a big attraction of Mudumalai Sanctury. It is also approachable from Udhagamandalam by two different routes: One is 36 Kms via Kalhatty with 36 hairpin bends through natural forests and the other is 67 Kms via Gudalur. Sanctuary can also be approached travelling 90 Kms by road from Mysore. Nearest Railway Stations are Udhagamandalam 67 Kms and Mysore 90 Kms. For accommodation and more details about the Theppakkadu Camp, please Contact: Reception Range Officer, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary on Phone No:0423-526235.

Other Information
Location In the Nilgiris district 67 kms from Ootacamund on the Ooty- Mysore Road .
Area 321 Sq Kms
Forest type Primarily moist deciduous. Tends to become the dry deciduous variety towards Bandipur. Mainly mixed forests with bamboos.
Animals found Elephant, gaur, sambar, chital, dhole pather, tiger, sloth bear, Python, barking deer, four-horned antelope, common langur, Otter, crocodiles and a variety of birds and reptiles.
Annual rainfall About 2300 mm.
Nearest airport Coimbatore is 160 kms away.
Nearest Railway station Udhagamandalam is 64 kms away. Mysore is 95 kms away . /
Best season Throughout the year (Except June to August)
Accommodation Forest Rest Houses at Abhayaranyam, Kargudi, Masinagudi, and Teppakadu. Catering arrangements are available.
Other facilities Motor Vehicles and riding elephants are available for hire.
For more details The Wildlife Warden, Mahalingam Buildings, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam - 643 001.
This forms part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, which is the first biosphere reserve formed in India. The Biosphere reserve portion extends to the adjoining states of Kerala and Karnataka also. The 2537.6 sq. kms of NBR in Tamil Nadu covers all the forests of the Nilgiris district and a part of Coimbatore and Periyar districts.

Point Calimere Sanctuary

Calimere Wild Life Sanctuary : It is around 70 kms from Nagapattinam and 11Kms from Vedaranyam. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary was created in 1967 for conservation of Blackbuck, an endangered and endemic species of India. Point Calimere encompasses 17.26 sq KM of sandy coast fringed by saline swamps and thorny scrub around the backwaters. Migratory curlews, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers and Shanks nest in the tidal mud flats from October to March. Black bucks, Spotted Deers, Jackal, Ponies and Wild hare are sighted very often. Flamingo House [Poonarai illam- 04369 - 272424], Forest Rest House are available at Kodikkarai. Alternative accommodation options are available at Vedaranyam.

Other Information:
Location In Thanjavur district, where the coastline projects into the sea after taking a sharp turn to the west
Area 17.26 Sq kms
Forest type Consists of tidal swamps, evergreen forests and mangroves .
Animals found The sanctuary is famous for its Flamingos and Blackbuck. A vast variety of water birds such as Teals, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, etc. can also be seen during winter months. The mammals include the chital, wild boar etc. The water birds in the great swamp and the Dolphins and Turtles that often come quite close to the shore is an interesting scene to watch.
Annual rainfall About 1500 mm.
Nearest Airport Thiruchirappalli - 225 kms
Nearest Railway station Thiruthuraipoondi - 42 kms
Best season For water birds November to February; and one can see the blackbuck and chital all the year round.
Accommodation Forest Rest Houses at Point Calimere. Catering arrangements are provided.
Other facilities Boats available for hire
For more details The Wildlife Warden, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, 110, Public Officers Road, Nagapattinam - 611 001.

Indira Gandhi National Sanctuaries

INDIRA GANDHI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY and NATIONAL PARK : There is a 30 Km wide gap [big break in the Western Ghat mountain range] between the Nilgiri Hills to the north and the Anamalai Hills to the South that straddles the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border and serves as a major communication route between them. Highways and Rail Transport connect Palghat with Coimbatore and Pollachi. This huge gap is called as Palghat Gap

This was originally called as Anamalai Wild Life Sanctuary notified in the year 1974 and established in the year 1976. Later on renamed in honour of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s visit during 1961 . It is located at an altitude of 1400 meters at the Top Slip. The National Park is 108 sq.kms core area of the total 958 Sq. Kms sanctuary zone. Indira Gandhi Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Project Tiger Zone in the year 2008. Elephants, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Black Headed Oriole, Green Pigeon and Civet cat can be seen in this Sanctuary. Karian and Anaikunthi Sholas, Grass Hills, Waterfalls, Groves, Teak forests, Estates, Dams and Reservoirs add beauty to Anamalai Hills and attracts visitors in large numbers. Elephant Safari and Van services are available at the Top Slip to take the tourists around the Sanctuary.

Other Information
Location The Anamalai Ranges in Coimbatore District
Area 108 Sq. Kms
Forest Type Varies from the dry deciduous to the semi-evergreen, evergreen and the wet temperate containing teak, rose wood and many miscellaneous tropical species.
Animals found Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Wild dog, Nilgiri langur, Lion-tailed macaque, Sambhar, Four Horned Antelope, Chital, etc. and a host of birds, notably the Pied horn bill and several species of eagles.
Annual rainfall 500 mm to 5000 mm, least rainfall is on the eastern slopes and most rainfall is on western slopes.
Nearest airport Coimbatore – 75 kms.
Nearest Railway station Pollachi 35 kms away.
Best season Throughout the year (Except June to August)
Accommodation There is a Forest Rest House at Topslip Varagaliar, Amaravathi, Sethumadai. Catering arrangements are available. The Public Works Department (PWD) Rest houses at Udumalpet and Amaravathi, Electricity Board (TNEB) Rest House at Attakatti .
Other facilities Motor Vehicles and elephants are available for hire.
For more details The Wildlife Warden, 178, Meenakarai Salai, Pollachi - 642001.