Mukurthi National Park: Difference between revisions
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| visitation_year = 2004 |
| visitation_year = 2004 |
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| governing_body = [] |
| governing_body = [http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/Default.htm Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests] |
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'''Mukurthi National Park''' is a 78.46 km² [[National parks of India|national park]] located between 11°10' to 11°22' N and 76°22' to 76°34' E. It is in the south-eastern corner of the [[Nilgiris]] [[Plateau]] west of [[Ootacamund]] [[hill station]] in [[Nilgiri District]], [[Tamil Nadu]] state in the [[Western Ghats]] mountain range of [[South India]]. The park is a part of [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], India's first [[Biosphere Reserve]] |
'''Mukurthi National Park''' is a 78.46 km² [[National parks of India|national park]] located between 11°10' to 11°22' N and 76°22' to 76°34' E. It is in the south-eastern corner of the [[Nilgiris]] [[Plateau]] west of [[Ootacamund]] [[hill station]] in [[Nilgiri District]], [[Tamil Nadu]] state in the [[Western Ghats]] mountain range of [[South India]]. The park is a part of [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], India's first [[Biosphere Reserve]] |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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[[Image:AMS-Erode-C-Mukurthi-NP.jpg|thumb|left|'''Mukurthi National Park'''<br />topographic map 1:250,000]] |
[[Image:AMS-Erode-C-Mukurthi-NP.jpg|thumb|left|'''Mukurthi National Park'''<br />topographic map 1:250,000]] |
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Annual rainfall varies from 2010 mm to 6330 mm. |
Annual rainfall varies from 2010 mm to 6330 mm (79.1 - 249.2 [[inche]]s. |
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The park has an elongated crescent shape facing to the west. It is bordered on the west by Nilambur South Forest Division, to the northwest by Gudalur Division, to the northeast, east and southeast by Nilgiri South Division and to the south by Mannarghat Division. At it's southwest tip the peaks of this park straddle the northeast corner of [[Silent Valley National Park]] of [[Kerala]].<ref>ASIAN NATURE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, MUKURTHI - NATIONAL PARK, retrieved 4/18/2007[http://www.asiannature.org/mukurthi.html MUKURTHI - NATIONAL PARK]</ref> |
The park has an elongated crescent shape facing to the west. It is bordered on the west by Nilambur South Forest Division, to the northwest by Gudalur Division, to the northeast, east and southeast by Nilgiri South Division and to the south by Mannarghat Division. At it's southwest tip the peaks of this park straddle the northeast corner of [[Silent Valley National Park]] of [[Kerala]].<ref>ASIAN NATURE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, MUKURTHI - NATIONAL PARK, retrieved 4/18/2007[http://www.asiannature.org/mukurthi.html MUKURTHI - NATIONAL PARK]</ref> |
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==Flora and Fauna== |
==Flora and Fauna== |
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[[Image:Niltahr.jpg|thumb|left|'''Nilgiri Tahr'''<br /> in '''Montane grasslands''']] |
[[Image:Niltahr.jpg|thumb|left|'''Nilgiri Tahr'''<br /> in '''Montane grasslands''']] |
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Mukurthi is near the northern end of the range of the [[Nilgiri Tahr]]. There are also [[Sambar Deer]], [[Barking Deer]], [[Nilgiri Marten]], [[Otter]], [[Jungle Cat]] and [[jackal]]. |
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[[Image:Redadmiral08.JPG|thumb|'''Indian Red Admiral''']] |
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Avifauna consists mostly of hill birds including [[laughingthrush]]s, [[Whistling thrush]]s, [[woodcock]], [[wood pigeon]] and [[black eagle]] may be noticed. Butterflies with Himalayan affinity like the [[Kaniska canace|Blue Admiral]], [[Red Admiral|Indian Red Admiral]], [[Fritillary|Indian Fritillary]], [[Small White|Indian Cabbage white]] and [[Oreolyce quadriplaga|Hedge blue]]s. Some streams have been stocked with [[Rainbow Trout]]. |
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| ⚫ | The park is easily accessible from Ootacamund by four different entry points and has been much disturbed by man.<ref>Davidar, ERC, Distribution and Status of the Nilgiri Tahr Bombay Natural History Society 75(3): 815-844</ref>. The forest department has engaged in extensive planting of [[eucalyptus]] and [[wattle]] (Acacia sp.). In addition there is one large, and several smaller hydro-electric impoundments in the area.<ref>Rice, C G Dr (1984) US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, USA, "''The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr''", Tahr Foundation, retrieved 4/17/2007[http://www.tahrfoundation.org/html/cl1.htm "''The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr''"]</ref> |
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==Visitor Information== |
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The nearest airport is Coimbatore – 140 kms. Nearest Railway station Udhagamandalam – 45kms. Best season |
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February to May, September to November. There are Forest Rest Houses at Bangitapal, Avalanche, Pykara and some trekking sheds. The park is mainly for the tourists interested in adventure. Groups are formed for [[trek]]king and [[camping]].<ref>Tamil Nadu Forest Department, National Parks, Mukurthi National Park, retrieved 4/17/2007[http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WLTNatlPark.htm#MukNP Mukurthi National Park]</ref> |
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A mostly down hill 3, 4 or 5 day trek through Mukurthi and [[Silent Valley National Park]]s starts by driving 75 km from Udhagamandalam[[Udhagamandalam|(Ooty)]] in 4 hrs and 1 km walk to overnight at Bangitapal. Walk 24 km through Mukurthi in 9 hrs to overnight at Walakkad, or overnight at Avalanche then continue to Walakkad. Walk 18 km in 7 hrs to overnight at Poochipara. Walk 8 km in 3 hrs to Sairandhiri in Silent Valley, then take a park van out or overnight at Sairandhri and trek 23 km to Mukkali village A guide-cum-cook accompanies park visitors during all treks. <ref>Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", The Hindu Business Line, July 08, 2002.[http://www.blonnet.com/life/2002/07/08/stories/2002070800030300.htm Ooty trek]</ref><ref> Radhareddyh, Silent Valley Trek, Travelblog.com, 18/01/2007.[http://www.travelblog.com/2606/users/radhareddyh/index.php Trek]</ref> |
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Application for trekking permits should be made in advance with the Wildlife Warden, Mahalingam buildings, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam – 643 001 ; Phone: 0423- 2444098<ref>K. Kalyanasundaram (2005) "''Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu - Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - National Park''", Tamil Electronic Library, retreived 4/4/2007[http://tamilelibrary.org/teli/wildlife1.html ''Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu]</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<div class="references-small"> |
<div class="references-small"> |
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Revision as of 03:11, 19 April 2007
Mukurthi National Park   Mukurthi NP Mukurthi NP (India) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu |
| Nearest city | Ootacamund |
| Area | 78.46 km² |
| Established | 26 December, 1980 |
| Visitors | 10,000 (in 2004) |
| Governing body | Tamil Nadu Ministry of Environment and Forests |
Mukurthi National Park is a 78.46 km² national park located between 11°10' to 11°22' N and 76°22' to 76°34' E. It is in the south-eastern corner of the Nilgiris Plateau west of Ootacamund hill station in Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu state in the Western Ghats mountain range of South India. The park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India's first Biosphere Reserve
The park is characterized by Montane grasslands and shrublands interspersed with sholas. It is home to an array of endangered wildlife, including Royal Bengal Tiger and Asian Elephant, but its main attraction is the Nilgiri Tahr. The park was previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
Geography
topographic map 1:250,000
Annual rainfall varies from 2010 mm to 6330 mm (79.1 - 249.2 inches.
The park has an elongated crescent shape facing to the west. It is bordered on the west by Nilambur South Forest Division, to the northwest by Gudalur Division, to the northeast, east and southeast by Nilgiri South Division and to the south by Mannarghat Division. At it's southwest tip the peaks of this park straddle the northeast corner of Silent Valley National Park of Kerala.[1]
Park elevation varies from Template:M to ft to Template:M to ft, with Kollari betta Template:M to ft, Mukurthi Template:M to ft, and Nilgiri Template:M to ft being the highest peaks.
Rivers
The park generally slopes towards the east and south receiving water from the Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah rivers, and the Upper Bhavani and Mukurthi reservoirs which flow through the park. Also several perennial streams originate in the park, most of which drain into the Bhavani Puzha.[2]
Flora and Fauna
in Montane grasslands
Mukurthi is near the northern end of the range of the Nilgiri Tahr. There are also Sambar Deer, Barking Deer, Nilgiri Marten, Otter, Jungle Cat and jackal.
Avifauna consists mostly of hill birds including laughingthrushs, Whistling thrushs, woodcock, wood pigeon and black eagle may be noticed. Butterflies with Himalayan affinity like the Blue Admiral, Indian Red Admiral, Indian Fritillary, Indian Cabbage white and Hedge blues. Some streams have been stocked with Rainbow Trout.
The park is easily accessible from Ootacamund by four different entry points and has been much disturbed by man.[3]. The forest department has engaged in extensive planting of eucalyptus and wattle (Acacia sp.). In addition there is one large, and several smaller hydro-electric impoundments in the area.[4]
Visitor Information
The nearest airport is Coimbatore – 140 kms. Nearest Railway station Udhagamandalam – 45kms. Best season February to May, September to November. There are Forest Rest Houses at Bangitapal, Avalanche, Pykara and some trekking sheds. The park is mainly for the tourists interested in adventure. Groups are formed for trekking and camping.[5]
A mostly down hill 3, 4 or 5 day trek through Mukurthi and Silent Valley National Parks starts by driving 75 km from Udhagamandalam(Ooty) in 4 hrs and 1 km walk to overnight at Bangitapal. Walk 24 km through Mukurthi in 9 hrs to overnight at Walakkad, or overnight at Avalanche then continue to Walakkad. Walk 18 km in 7 hrs to overnight at Poochipara. Walk 8 km in 3 hrs to Sairandhiri in Silent Valley, then take a park van out or overnight at Sairandhri and trek 23 km to Mukkali village A guide-cum-cook accompanies park visitors during all treks. [6][7]
Application for trekking permits should be made in advance with the Wildlife Warden, Mahalingam buildings, Coonoor Road, Udhagamandalam – 643 001 ; Phone: 0423- 2444098[8]
References
- ^ ASIAN NATURE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, MUKURTHI - NATIONAL PARK, retrieved 4/18/2007MUKURTHI - NATIONAL PARK
- ^ tumkurameen@gmail.com (4/16/2006) Romantic Mukurthi This story On the road to paradise was published in Sunday Herald (Deccan Herald), Jan 21, 2001.'Romantic Mukurthi'
- ^ Davidar, ERC, Distribution and Status of the Nilgiri Tahr Bombay Natural History Society 75(3): 815-844
- ^ Rice, C G Dr (1984) US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, USA, "The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr", Tahr Foundation, retrieved 4/17/2007"The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr"
- ^ Tamil Nadu Forest Department, National Parks, Mukurthi National Park, retrieved 4/17/2007Mukurthi National Park
- ^ Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", The Hindu Business Line, July 08, 2002.Ooty trek
- ^ Radhareddyh, Silent Valley Trek, Travelblog.com, 18/01/2007.Trek
- ^ K. Kalyanasundaram (2005) "Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu - Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - National Park", Tamil Electronic Library, retreived 4/4/2007Wildlife sanctuaries of Tamilnadu
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