Eravikulam National Park

About Eravikulam National Park:

• Location: Idukki District, Kerala
• Area: 97 sq. Km
• It was declared as a National Park in 1978.
• This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once in twelve years. 
• The highest peak south of the Himalayas – The Anamudi (2695 meters) is situated in this park.
• Topography:  The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley.

Flaura: 

• Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Sysygium aronottianum,  Chrysopogon Zelanieus, Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji), Eulalia phaeothrix, Tripogen bromodes, Arundinella fuscata, Cyanotis Species etc.
• The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids including the long thought extinct variety Brachycorythis wightii.

Fauna: 

• 29 Species of mammals are found here of which 5 are endemic to the Western Ghats. 
• The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel and wild dog are common.
• Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here.
• 140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghats.
• The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park. 
• More than 100 varieties of butterflies and  20 species of amphibians are also seen here. 

Nilgiri Tahr:

• It is a sure-footed ungulate that is endemic to the southern part of Western Ghats. 
• Scientific name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius
• It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
• IUCN Status: “ Endangered”
• Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972 : Schedule 1

Q1) Which is the cimate of Eravikulam National Park?

The Park receives heavy showers during the southwest (June/July) and retreating (October/November) Monsoons and is one of the wettest area of the World. April & May are the hottest months. The occurrence of frost is quite common during the winter (December to February)

Source: In a first, Eravikulam National Park reports birth of Nilgiri tahr in December
 

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