This name of this district is derived from a temple which is situated at the Hills.  A very good strength of tourists visits the Palani national park every year for the enjoyment of scenic views and beautiful flora and fauna.  Very rich and dense forestry attracts thousands of people to come here time and again.  Large meadows, dense jungle, waterfalls and species are the most attractive points for tourists here.  The extensive availability of plants provides a natural habitat for the wildlife.  Plant eater animals of this area are totally dependent on the green vegetation.  Also the rivers and some of the lakes also the habitat of various types of fishes and other water based animals.

General Information

History

This district got its name after a temple located in the northern hilly area.  During the year 1906, rising and falling plateau of Palani covered under a consolidation program according to Indian Forest act of British Rule and this area declared as reserve forest.  The nearest place of visit was Kodaikanal town of Kerala.  This place was spread over 140 sqkm. Presently the Ampthill Down area is called Upper Palani Shola reserved Forest and spread over an area of 145.7 sqkm.  In acres this can be measured as 36,000 acres.  This forest has the pride to be the largest forest in Palani Hills area.  The main area of the would be national park falls under Ampthill division, which is in wait of an official sanction.

During the year 1988, an additional area of 50 sqkm Kadaikanal-Berijam WS was also added to this proposed national park by the Wildlife Institute of India.   In the year 1990, TamilNadu forest department requested the government through a written proposal that this area bedeclared as national park in order to maintain the precious wildlife in proper manner.  The would be park area is still including only reserve land for forest.   This area is already under the protected areas in Tami Nadu state.  If these forests converted into national park, it will increase their status and tourism will develop here as national parks and forest reserve both attract the people but in different way.  Major attraction of the people points towards national parks.   The level of forest reserve and national park increase the life standard of species as well as the conservation process also changes rapidly.   Central government and Govt of Tamilnadu are still pulling the discussion of this sanctuary since 1999.  In actual, the boundaries are yet to be finalized.  During the year 2007, the proposals sent to the state government to declare the Kodaikanal Wildlife sanctuary as national park but the case is still pending.

Best Time To Visit

This area is spread into different heights.  Some portion of this sanctuary located at average height of 2,000 meters and some on 2,600 meters from MSL.  Munnar area is having a decent climate throughout the year.  The temperature of this area always shuttles in between 100 C and 00 C in winter season.  During summers it goes upto 160 C. The best visiting time to Munnar region is August to May. However in the rainy season, the dew and drizzling on the tea plants creates a mesmerizing scene for thousands of tourists and residents of the area.  However, the best time to visit the park area is October to march.  To avoid rainy season one should not go to this park in and after summers.

Distance from National Park

Rameshwaram – 286 km

Ramanathapuram – 40 km

How to get there

By Air: Airport of Madurai is the closest airport to this park.  From Madurai, there are a plenty of options to access this park.  One can get trains to the Kodaikanal or can also get the direct buses or taxi services.

By Train: Kodaikanal in the Dindigul district is the nearest rail head which connects this park alongwith other important parts of the country.  Various broad gauge lines are connected to this junction and not only from southern India but from upper parts of the country, visitors can access this national park.  Kodaikanal junction is one of the busiest rail head of this region.

By Road:  Rameshwaram is located at a distance of 286 kilometers from here and Ramanathapuram is just at 40 kilometers away.  Frequent bus services are also available from these stations to the park area.  State Transports also ply buses to the various districts from Palani Hills.  Private tour operators’ are also available with deluxe bus services.

Location Map

Things to do in National Park

Adventure: In this park tourist can also done the Bird Safari.

Accommodation: Lodges are available at large number.  No inconvenience of accommodation is in the Palani.

Wildlife in National Park

Flora and fauna

Mammals:  Wild Boars are the most common mammals which can be easily spotted.  Some of the species which feel endangered themselves are Indian Elephant, Giant Squirrel, And Wild Ox.  An endangered species Royal Bengal Tiger which is presently located in the adjacent tiger reserves may be returned to this park when the complete protection facilities are provided here.  During 2010, some Tigers were spotted in the Kodaikanal forest while a week long survey was being carried out.

Plants: There are more moist plants and Trees grown up in the area of Shola forest and at the height of 2000 meters.   Pambar Shola is the most notable among all the shoals.  The area for Pambar Shola is now reduced and restricted to a small area of 3 kilometers.   In this small area, a numbers of small medicinal plants available at all time including Sonerila pulneynsis which is very useful plant.  Various medicinal plants are found in this park area.  General treatment of the villagers is depending on the various medicinal plants.  Herbs, which are commonly used in massaging the human body, pain killing, cold treatment, cut/burn treatmentare found everywhere in this area.

Weather

In this area the special monsoon tropical environment is prevailing throughout the year.  If somebody starts his journey from Kerala to the park, he feels that the rainfall is decreasing and temperature is increasing.   In comparison to the Deccan plateau the weather varies both in summers and winters.  In the core of this park, the average temperature remains in between 10.10 to 20.90 C and this can be increased upto 350 C.  The only calm period is winter where the temperature remains in between 8.10 to 18.60 C.  During the month of January, in the nights, the temperature often goes below zero degree.   The weather of Upper Palani has four seasons:

Between Januarys to March, this park observes a dry season, in this period a very little rainfall is received by this area.  During this period the cold winds blows.

In the warm period when the rush of tourists increase and rainfall received for the period of 20 days.

The maximum monsoon season is between Junes to September when a period of 45 days is observed as rainy season.  The southwest monsoon is the reason of this rainfall.

Whenever northeast monsoon knocks the area it brings a 30 days period to rain.  But it depends upon the timing of monsoon enters the area.

In this area the average rain is recorded 63.7 inches and this scale is only due to heavy and wet winds of north east.  

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