Palani Hills National Park

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Palani Hills National Park (Planned) Palani Hills NP Palani Hills NP (India)
Location:	Dindigul
Nearest city:	Kodaikanal
Coordinates:	10°17′30″N, 77°31′0″E
Area:	736.87 km² (PRO)
Governing body:	Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests

The Palani Hills National Park is a proposed National Park in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu State South India.
The Park will be an upgrade and expansion of the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary being established in 2007.
Area is 736.87 km² (PRO) .^[1] The park includes about 36% of the 2,068 km² in the Palni Hills.^[2], ^[3].
The park is located between Latitude 10°7' - 10°28' N and Longitude 77°16' - 77°46' E.
Central location 10°17.5′N 77°31′E is .7 km west of the Aeon centre of Cosmology^[4] and 7.4 km N X NE of Kodaikanal.

Contents 1 Status 2 Geography 3 Geology 4 Weather 5 Tribes 6 Ecoregions 7 Flora and Fauna 8 Ecological Threats 9 References

[edit] Status

IN the early 1990s, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department submitted a proposal to the State government to protect much of the Palni Hills by declaring the area a wildlife sanctuary or a national park.^[5] The Sanctuary has been under consideration of the Government of India in consultation with the Government of Tamilnadu since 1999.^[6] The actual park boundaries have not been finalized.

The increasingly important economic role of Eco-tourism, including: trekking, hiking, camping, mountaineering, rock climbing and bird watching may help local vested interests to welcome this new National Park. It remains to be seen whether the Wildlife Sanctuary and then National Park will stimulate or stifle commercial development and tourism. The decision to finally establish the Park must balance short term financial benefits of the status quo versus long term stability of the natural and human community.

[edit] Geography

The western extremity of the Park is contiguous with Manjampatti Valley in the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and with The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. The Kurinjimala Sanctuary in Kerala borders the southwestern corner of the Park.^[7] These Wildlife Sanctuaries are adjacent to the recently established Eravikulam National Park.

The Park area includes only reserve forest land, including: Palni Hills Northern Slope East, Kallar, Palni Hills Southern Slope East, Upper Palni Shola, Allinagaram, and Palni Hills Northern Slope West Reserve Forests in the Dindigul^[8] and Kodaikanal^[9] Forest Divisions.

These forests are already among the protected areas of Tamil Nadu. Their upgrade to Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park will increase their IUCN status from level VI to II and improve habitat and wildlife conservation.

[edit] Geology

The Park is an eastward extension of the Western Ghats hills. It is surrounded to the north, east and south by the Deccan Plateau.(satellite view: ^[10])
The Palani Hills are formed of pre-Cambrian gneisses, charnockites and schists; they are among the oldest mountain ranges in India.^[11]

The Palni hills are most accentuated towards the west, ranging from 1,800 m to 2,553 m (5,906 ft - 8,376 ft). Prominant peaks are: Vandaravu 2,553 m (8,376 ft), Vembadi Shola 2,505 m (8,219 ft), Gundar 2,461 m (8,219 ft), Karunmakadu 2,451 m (8,041 ft), Sandana Parai 2,404 m (7,887 ft) Venkombu 2,327 m (7,635 ft), Tina Vardi 2,270 m (7,448 ft), Perumalai 2,236 m (7,336 ft) and Velori Malai 2,229 m (7,313 ft), The hill station of Kodaikanal stands in a 2,195 m (7,202 ft) high basin at the southern edge of the central part. The eastern end of the park is made of hills 1000-1500 m (3,281 ft - 4,921 ft) high.^[12]

The Tamil Nadu Department of Geology and Mining has completed detailed Geo-Technical Studies of the Palni Hills determining moderate to high landslide danger in much of the area^[13].

There are many waterfalls throughout the Park which are popular tourist attractions .

• Anju Veedu 27 km from Kodaikanal,
• Bamen,
• Bear Shola - 2 km from Kodaikanal, easy access
• Fairy - 5 km from Kodaikanal, easy access

• Glen - easy access
• Neptune rapids,
• Pambar - 4 km from Kodaikanal,
• Silver Cascade - 55 m (180 ft) high, 8 km from Kodaikanal, easy access
• Skamba - 8 km from Kodaikanal,
• Snake
• Thalaiyar (Rattail) ,297 m (975 ft) high, is the highest waterfall in Tamil Nadu and the third highest in India. Difficult access. and
• Vatakanal Falls

[edit] Weather

Temperature varies from moderate to quite cool - during March to May) the temperature range is between 11°C - 20°C. The temperature can rise to a high of 35°C. During Dec-Feb it is between 8.3°C - 17.3°C. In January, night temperatures sometimes drop to freezing, and thin ice is seen on the lake edges.

The average annual rainfall is 1,650 mm, mostly during the north-east monsoon from June to September.^{[14] [15]}Kodaikanal Solar Observatory

[edit] Tribes

Nomadic Paliyan tribes people have been seen living in some of the several caves in Manjampatti Valley. Paliyan people can be seen near Kukal Cave. The Tamil speaking Pulayan are referred as the MalaPulayans, a group categorized as scheduled caste by State government of Tamil Nadu. Their traditional livelihood is foraging yams and small gaming in the nearby forest areas combined with cultivation of several species of minor millets in small plots located near their hamlets to meet their subsistence requirements.

They live in small hamlets in huts and government constructed colonies. The sedentary life started with the construction of group houses by the government in the early sixties. The community is vertically divided into two sub divisions called Koora and Kanni, further subdivided into 47 sub sects. Each sub sect is called Kootams, which regulates certain social events. Each kootam has it own deity, which is common to the entire group and once yearly the members of the same kootam assemble to worship the deity. ^[16]

Many native tribals in the Palani Hills have partially assimilated modern culture but are marginalized on the fringes of society. Their social, economic and physical survival has become a difficult challenge for them and several public and private agencies. Their ancient culture in this area is well documented ^[17], ^[18].

Relics and artifacts of the Paliyan tribes people can be seen in the Shenbaganur Museum.^[19]

[edit] Ecoregions

There is a wide diversity of Endemic species in the Park's diverse Ecoregions. The lower elevations, 250 m - 1000 m, are part of the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests ecoregion. Above 1000 m, the forests transition to evergreen South Western Ghats montane rain forests. In the highest portions of the park, above 2,000 m, the forests give way to shola - grassland mosaic, made of frost-tolerant montane grasslands interspersed with pockets of stunted shola forests in the valleys.

The Palni hills are the easternmost part of the Western Ghats of India, which is one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world. Some of the very rare and endangered plants and animals of India are found here. including intact relics of primary indigenous vegetation and a large number of non-native plants.^[21]

[edit] Flora and Fauna

Mammals: Wild Boars are common in areas away from human habitation and cultivation.
Threatened species in the park area include: Indian elephant, Gaur (Wild Ox), Nilgiri Tahrand Grizzled Giant Squirrel.

Bengal Tiger populations in the adjacent Indira GandhiWildlife Sanctuary and the Project Tiger Kalakad - Mundanthurai Reserve^[22] in the Agasthyamalai hills could expand back into this area when it is better protected.

Plants: The comprehensive source on this subject is currently in print: "The Flora of the Palni Hills, South India" , Tiruchirapalli, , 3 vols., xcvi, 1880 p., figs., maps, $193 (set). ISBN 81-900539-3-0. Contents:^[23]

Volume I ISBN 8190053949: Polypetalae: Dedication. Preface. Novelties in this Flora. Precursory or related publications. References. Introduction. I. The Palni hills: 1. Location and physical features. 2. Kodaikanal: taluk and town. 3. Rivers. 4. Roads. 5. Table 2: Gazetteer of localities. 6. Climatic conditions at Kodaikanal. 7. Geology and soils. 8. History. 9. The vegetation: A. Native; B. Alien. 10. References. II. Plant explorations on the Palnis: 1. Past explorations: 1. The Bournes. 2. The Fysons. 3. The Shembaganur team. 4. Natural History Centre at Shembaganur (SHC). 5. Recent explorations. 6. References. 2. Present exploration: 1. Background and scope. 2. Field trip report. 3. Phytogeographical findings. 4. Ethnobotany. 5. Nature conservation. 3. The present Flora: Format and conventions. Acknowledgments. Family sequence. Key to families. Dicotyledones: I. Polypetalae: 1. Ranunculaceae. 2. Alangiaceae.

Volume II ISBN 8190053957: Gamopetalae: 1. Caprifoliaceae. 2. Labiatae. III. Monochlamvdeae: 1. Plantaginaceae. 2. Salicaceae.

Volume III ISBN 8190053965: Monocotyledones: 1. Orchidaceae. 2. Gramineae. II. Gymnospermae: 1. Gnetaceae. 2. Cycadaceae.

Kurinjiflowers (Strobilanthes kunthianus) which blossom in spectacular fields of violet only once in 12 years are threatened. ^[24].

[edit] Ecological Threats

There is decreasing biodiversity, deforestation, grasslands destruction, monoculture tree plantations, and invasive exotic plant species in the Park. There is sewage pollution, solid waste pollution, Mercury contamination^[25], sound pollution, visual pollution, uncontrolled tourism, overdevelopment and lake eutrophication in and near Kodaikanal town. Several local NGO conservation groups are actively working to reduce some of these threats:

• The Palani Hills Conservation Council- Motto: "Health of the Hills is Wealth of the Plains",^[26]
• The Vattakanal Conservation Trust promotes the conservation of Palni Hills' native plants and habitats by raising plant nurseries, establishing conservation gardens, restoring habitats and acquiring properties to ensure survival of specific species and ecosystems^[27]
• Kodaikanal International School supports and leads environmental initiatives in the surrounding area. It offers an International Baccalaureate Program course on Environmental Systems.^[28].
• The Save Kurinji Campaign Council organises campaigns and programmes for conservation of the Kurinji plant and its habit.^[29].
• The Tamil Nadu Green Movement works on Nature Education, Conservation awareness, Judicial intervention, media awareness and works with other NGOs in the Western Ghats. ^[30][31].

Establishment of a litter free zone and awareness campaign in Kodaikanal was completed by the state government in 2000 at a cost of Rs 1. lakh.^[32] Bioremediation of Kodaikanal Lake is being undertaken under the National Lake Conservation Programme, with an expenditure of Rs.33.90 lakhs incurred till 2007. The works are being executed by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board, the Public Works Department and the local bodies. ^[33]

[edit] References

National Parks of India v • d • e
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Campbell Bay • Galathea • Mahatma Gandhi • Mt. Harriet Island • Middle Button Island • North Button Island • Rani Jhansi • Saddle Peak • South Button Island Andhra Pradesh: Kasu Brahmananda Reddy • Mahavir Harina Vanasthali • Mrugavani • Sri Venkateswara Arunachal Pradesh: Mouling • Namdapha Assam: Dibru-Saikhowa • Kaziranga • Manas • Nameri • Orang Bihar: Valmiki Chhattisgarh: Indravati • Kanger Ghati Goa: Mollem  Gujarat: Blackbuck • Gir • Marine • Vansda Haryana: Kalesar • Sultanpur Himachal Pradesh: Great Himalayan • Pin Valley Jammu & Kashmir: Dachigam • Hemis • Kishtwar • Salim Ali Jharkhand: Betla Karnataka: Anshi • Bandipur • Bannerghatta • Kudremukh • Nagarhole Kerala: Eravikulam • Mathikettan Shola • Periyar • Silent Valley Madhya Pradesh: Bandhavgarh • Fossil • Kanha • Madhav • Panna • Pench • Sanjay • Satpura • Van Vihar Maharastra: Chandoli • Gugamal • Navegaon • Pench • Sanjay Gandhi • Tadoba Manipur: Keibul Lamjao • Sirohi Meghalaya: Balphakram • Nokrek Mizoram: Murlen • Phawngpui Nagaland: Intanki Orissa: Bhitarkanika • Simlipal Rajasthan: Darrah • Desert • Keoladeo • Ranthambhore • Sariska Sikkim: Khangchendzonga Tamil Nadu: Guindy • Gulf of Mannar • Indira Gandhi • Mudumalai • Mukurthi Uttar Pradesh: Nawabganj • Dudhwa Uttaranchal: Corbett • Gangotri • Govind • Nanda Devi • Rajaji • Valley of Flowers West Bengal: Buxa • Gorumara • Neora Valley • Singalila • Sundarbans
Protected areas • National Parks • Protected areas of India • National parks of India