Mudumalai National Park

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Mudumalai National Park Mudumalai NP Mudumalai NP (India)
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Location:	Nilgiri, India
Nearest city:	Coimbatore
Coordinates:	11°30′0″N, 76°30′0″E
Area:	321 km²
Established:	1940

The Mudumalai sanctuary lies on the northern and north-western side of the Nilgiri (Blue Mountains), about 80 km north-west of Coimbatore in the extreme north-western corner of Tamil Nadu, on the interstate boundaries with Karnataka and Kerala states in southern India.

1 Conservation history
2 Flora and fauna
3 Visitor facilities
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Conservation history

The park was created in 1940 to become the first sanctuary in southern India. The site is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Originally 60 square kilometres, the sanctuary was enlarged to 295 km² in 1956 and subsequently to its present size of 321 km². The sanctuary is contiguous with Bandipur National Park (874 km²), Wynad Sanctuary (344 km²), Sigur and Singara reserve forests.

[edit] Flora and fauna

There are three main types of forest: tropical moist deciduous, tropical dry deciduous and southern tropical thorn. In certain places mixed vegetation types are present. Tropical moist deciduous forest occurs in the western Benne Block, where rainfall is higher than in the other blocks.

Primates found include the Northern Plains Gray Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) and the Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata). The Tiger (Panthera tigris) (E) is widespread, whereas the Leopard (P. pardus) (T) is most often seen in the Kargudi area. Other carnivores include the Dhole (Cuon alpinus) (V), the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena), the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and the Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) (I). The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) (E) population totals several hundred animals. Ungulates include the Gaur (Bos gaurus) (V), the Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor), the Chital (Axis axis), Indian Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), the Indian Spotted Chevrotain (Moschiola meminna), and the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Rodents include the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica maxima) and the Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista).

Bird life is rich. Regional endemics include Malabar trogon Harpactes fasciatus and Malabar grey hornbill also called The Great Indian Hornbill Tockus griseus. Predatory birds include crested hawk-eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus and crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela. Of the reptiles, monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis is the most regularly observed species.

[edit] Visitor facilities

Accommodation includes a forest rest house and guest houses at Masinagudi, and guest houses at Kargudi, Abhayaranyam and Theppakkadu. Accommodation in the forest rest house and guest houses may be reserved by writing to the Wildlife Warden, Mudumalai Sanctuary, Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India.

There is a cottage after crossing Kargudi and Mudumalai check posts on Ooty road. Bookings can be made from www.wildlifesanctuaryindia.com .Jungle home offers clean, comfortable accomdation at reasonable rates. It is located at the crucial elephant habitat zone. Elephants can be spotted very easily in this region. Food is also arranged at Jungle home when ordered in advance. Trekking, Birdwatching and Fishing are conducted.

The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (84km) and the closest railhead at Udhagamandalam (64km). The park is most conveniently accessible by road from Mysore on the Mysore-Ooty highway.

[edit] References

Israel, S. and Sinclair, T. (Eds) (1987). Indian Wildlife, Sri Lanka, Nepal. APA Productions, Hong Kong. 363 pp.

Sestiadti, B. (1986). Mudumalai Sanctuary. India's wildlife and wildlife reserves. Sterling Publishers, New Delhi.

Sharma, B.D., Shetty, B.V., Virekananthan, K. and Rathakrishnan, N.C. (1978). Flora of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 75: 13-42.