Eravikulam National Park

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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