Ranipuram
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| ?Ranipuram India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 750 m (2,461 ft) |
Ranipuram is a small place located within Kasargode district of Kerala state, south India. It is located about 48 km east of Kanhangad on the Panathoor road branching off at Panathady and lies 750 m (2,461 ft) above sea level adjacent to Bhagamandala forest range.
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[edit] History
Evidence of pre-settlement traditions exist in the form of 'Theyyam', a folk dance to please the mother goddess held in the month of May. Presently Marathis form a good number of the local population, probably the remnants of an earlier settlement from the north.
This place was formerly known as Madathumala until the 1970s, when it was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Kottayam for the purpose of settlement. Settlers renamed it as Ranipuram in memory of the virgin mother.
[edit] Geography
There are two trekking routes available through the South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests. Part of the way the climb is assisted by cut steps. The ambiance of the forest trail is remarkable and once you reach the "Mani" (grass covered hilltop) the view is superb. The undulating cloud-topped hills stretch up to the plains and ocean on the horizon.
This is unexplored territory for the nature enthusiast and birdwatcher. Butterflies are in abundance and birds of the evergreen biotope like the black eagle,crested serpent eagle and little spider hunter common. Elephants pay visits in the summer months and leopards have been sighted in the not-too-distant past. The Ranipuram forest should be declared as a wild life sanctuary by Kerala forest department to merge with borders of Thalakavery wild life sanctuary in Karnataka. The proposed Ranipuram Wildlife Sanctuary may protect and maintain overall biodiversity of the area in a better way. The place holds immense potential for ecotourism and may develop into a premier hill station in Kerala with the judicious development of amenities. Tourist cottages are available here provided by the KTDC and some private players have entered the scene.The proposed Ranipuram Wildlife sanctuary will be a boon to tourism development in Kasaragod district.
[edit] Transport
Jeep services to Ranipuram are readily available from Panathady, linked to Kanhangad by frequent bus services.
[edit] Ranipuram wildlife sanctuary/National park (Proposed)
The proposed Ranipuram wild life sanctuary/National park consists of various Flora and Fauna which are endemic to Westernghat and yet to studied biodiversity hotspot. It merges with Talacauvery wildlife sanctaury in karanata. The Ranipuram hill station which falls in Panathady reserve forest is an ideal area to convert a wild life sanctuary. The evergreen and shola forest seen only here in this district. Elephants, Leaoard, wild dogs, Deer, wild boar, macaques, jungle cats, Leapard cats slender loris, porcupine, malabar giant squirrels, malabar civet cat and rare butterfies and medicinal plants are found in these forest. Most of these highly endangered animals are killed by people due to lack of conservational awareness or to protect their crops. Ranipuram wild life sanctuary will be in contigous to Talacauvery wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka.
The nearby reserve forests such as Kottanchery, eleri, malom and parappa can be encompassed to an area of 80 sq.km of forest. If it is declared as a wild life sanctuary, it will boost the tourism industry of this district along with Ranipuram hill station. Declaring it as a wildlife sanctuary is the only way to protect this Westernghat biodiversity hotspot and to ensure its survival for future generation. Illegal country liquor are made deep in the jungle. Poaching of wild boar, porcupine, hares, deers and even monkeys for their meat taking place mostly in the night time. It is never reported outside and unaccessable due to hilly and remote area.
Sadly, no tigers are seen because of lack of their prey, mainly deers which are illegaly poached by local people. Frequent visits of elephants from the nearby reserve forest suggests that it once was an elephant migratory route. Kannur DFO and kanhangad Forest range officer should give immediate attention to declare it as a wild life sanctuary and deploy more forest guards. Encroachment of the forest is the biggest threat. Take action now before it too late. It can be successfully converted without any rehabilation process as in the case of malabar wildlife sanctuary of kozhikode district.
The proposed Munnamkadavu Dam may very useful to make a crocodile breeding centre and afforestation around the dam reservoir will help to reintroduce the lost wild elephant corridor. It will be the northern most wild life sanctuary of Kerala after Aralam wildlife sanctuary. It is also an integral part of Brahmagiri biosphere. Karnataka Government already declared talacauvery reserve forest as a wildlife sanctuary.
Flora: Evergreen monsoon forest, shola, orchids, medicinal plants,grass lands etc
Mammals: about 24 species mainly Elephants, wild bison, Leapard, wild dogs, mangoose, pangoline,, Jungle cats, Malabar giant squirrels, Flying squrrels, fox, porcupine, bonnet macaques, Langur, Leapard cats, Deer, wild boar, slender loris, hares, squirrels, bats etc..
Birds: About 200 species mainly Great Indian horn bill, Paradise flying catcher, green barbet, peacock, trogon, wood pegeon, malabar grey horn bill, white bellied tree pie, heart spotted wood pecker etc...
Reptails: King cobra, kraits, viper, rat snakes, Indian cobras, green whip snakes, monitor lizards etc..
Amphibians: About 19 species, Thousands of insects and spiders
About 100 species of butterflies incluing sword tail, forest nymph, malabar bird wing etc...
