Mukurthi National Park

About Mukurthi National Park

• It is located in the western corner of Nilgiris Plateau in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• It is sandwiched between the Mudumalai National Park and the Silent Valley National Park.
• It was established with the prime motive of conserving its keystone species – the Nilgiri Tahr.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was formerly known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
• It is also home to Mukurthi Peak (2,554m), the fourth highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills.
• Rivers: Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park along with several perennial streams that originate in the park and drain into the Bhavani Puzha.
• Vegetation:
  • The majority of the landscape in the reserve is covered with shrubs and mountainous grasslands.
  • The areas which are at an elevation and experience high rainfall are covered with sholas and lush green tropical grasslands.
• Flora:
  • Sholas, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Helichrysum and Berberis tinctoria, Rhododendrons, Cinnamon, Mahonia, Satyrium, Raspberries etc.
• Fauna: Nilgiri tahr, Indian elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Bengal tiger and bonnet macaque etc.

Q1) What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.

Source: T.N. Forest Department to investigate private helicopter’s unauthorized flyby over Mukurthi National Park

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