South India - Tourist Attractions - Eravikulam National Park - Kerala
Eravikulam National Park, which earlier was a game reserve under the British rule, is a popular wildlife reserve located in Kerala’s Idukki District. A popular destination among wildlife lovers, the national park is admired for its natural beauty spread in the form of grasslands, criss - crossing streams, orchids and waterfalls. The highest peak of the Western Ghat range, named Anamudi, is located inside the park.
Specialty of Eravikulam National Park
The park is particularly famous for accommodating the extremely endangered specie of Nilgiri Tahr (a kind of mountain goat). With a population of more than 750 Tahrs, the park has attained a great reputation in the region. Other frequently spotted faunas inside the park include Indian bison, sambar deer, jungle cat, dhole and golden jackal.
Leopards and tigers too live in this wildlife sanctuary. Nilgiri langur, Indian porcupine, dusky striped squirrel and elephants are lesser found. In addition, nearly 140 species of birds find the park as their home. There is no dearth of the species of amphibians and butterflies as well.
Dominated by grasslands, the park also has regions with shrubs and forests. The visitors to the park can explore the wildlife area using the mini-bus service. The park opens from 7 in the morning till 6 in the evening (the park will be closed for the two months in a year – February and March which is said to be the animals breeding season). Idukki national park at Devikulam serves as the homestay for a huge variety of flowers, plants, birds, and animals. This wildlife will be different from the other, consisting habitation of animals mostly in hilly areas. Travelling in safari around the national park will be a thrilling experience.