{"id":4146,"date":"2026-07-11T17:45:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T12:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=4146"},"modified":"2026-07-11T17:54:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T12:24:56","slug":"eravikulam-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/eravikulam-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Eravikulam National Park, Location, Flora, Fauna, Importance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eravikulam National Park is a <\/span><b>beautiful wildlife park located in Kerala<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, near <\/span><b>Munnar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in the Western Ghats. It is known for its <\/span><b>green hills, cool climate, and rich wildlife<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The park is most famous for protecting the <\/span><b>endangered Nilgiri Tahr<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is found here in large numbers. It also has <\/span><b>unique shola forests and grasslands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, along with the <\/span><b>Anamudi Peak<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the highest peak in South India. Overall, it is an important place for <\/span><b>nature, wildlife conservation, and scenic beauty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is Eravikulam National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eravikulam National Park is a <\/span><b>beautiful and ecologically important protected area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> located in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/western-ghats\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Western Ghats<\/b><\/a><b> of Kerala<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, mainly in the <\/span><b>Idukki district<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is widely known for its <\/span><b>rich <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>biodiversity<\/b><\/a><b>, scenic landscapes, and unique mountain <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/ecosystem\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>ecosystem<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it one of the most famous national parks in South India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park was officially declared a <\/span><b>National Park in 1978<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it the <\/span><b>first national park of Kerala<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with the main aim of protecting the endangered <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/nilgiri-tahr\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Nilgiri Tahr<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is found here in large numbers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often called a <\/span><b>nature lover\u2019s paradise<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the park attracts tourists, researchers, and wildlife enthusiasts due to its <\/span><b>lush greenery, rolling hills, and rare species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Where is Eravikulam National Park Located?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is situated in the <\/span><b>Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in the high ranges of the <\/span><b>Kannan Devan Hills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It lies close to the popular hill station <\/span><b>Munnar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the tourist entry point is mainly through <\/span><b>Rajamalai<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is the only accessible zone for visitors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park spreads over an area of about <\/span><b>97 sq. km<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, consisting of high-altitude plateaus, valleys, and mountain slopes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also surrounded by other protected areas like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/chinnar-wildlife-sanctuary\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/pampadum-shola-national-park\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Pampadum Shola National Park<\/b><\/a><b>, <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/anamudi-shola-national-park\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Anamudi Shola National Park<\/b><\/a><b>, and Kurinjimala Sanctuary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, forming a large conservation landscape.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why is Eravikulam National Park Famous?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is most famous for being the <\/span><b>largest habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with nearly half of the world\u2019s population found here.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is also known as the <\/span><b>\u201cLand of Neelakurinji\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a rare flower that blooms <\/span><b>once every 12 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, covering the hills in beautiful shades of <\/span><b>purple and blue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (last seen in 2018, next expected in 2030).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another major highlight is the presence of <\/span><b>Anamudi Peak (2695 m)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is the <\/span><b>highest peak in South India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, often called the <\/span><b>\u201cEverest of South India\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park\u2019s scenic beauty, combined with <\/span><b>wildlife sightings and unique natural events<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, makes it a major attraction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What is the Historical Background of the Eravikulam National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the <\/span><b>British period<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the area was used as a <\/span><b>hunting ground by planters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and later came under the control of the <\/span><b>Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for tea plantations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1975<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the region was declared a <\/span><b>Wildlife Sanctuary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mainly to protect the Nilgiri Tahr population.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Later, in <\/span><b>1978<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it was upgraded to a <\/span><b>National Park<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, strengthening conservation efforts and restricting human activities in core areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This transition shows how the area evolved from <\/span><b>resource use to conservation priority<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are the Geographical Features of the Eravikulam National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is dominated by <\/span><b>high-altitude grasslands and rolling plateaus<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, usually found above <\/span><b>2000 meters<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, giving it a cool and pleasant climate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also includes <\/span><b>shola forests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which are patches of evergreen forests found in valleys and folds of mountains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The terrain includes <\/span><b>steep slopes, valleys, cliffs, and mountain ridges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, creating diverse habitats for different species.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park acts as an important <\/span><b>watershed area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, supporting rivers flowing both east (Pambar) and west (Periyar and Chalakkudy).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Type of Vegetation is Found at Eravikulam National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park mainly consists of three types of vegetation:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Grasslands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which cover most of the high-altitude areas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Shrublands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, found along slopes and cliffs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Shola forests<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, located in valleys and depressions<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These ecosystems together form the unique <\/span><b>shola-grassland system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is rare and highly important for biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The region is rich in <\/span><b>orchids, balsams, and rare plant species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including the famous <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/neelakurinji-flowers\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Neelakurinji<\/b><\/a><b> (Strobilanthes kunthiana)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some important plants include <\/span><b>Actinodaphne, Microtropis, Pittosporum, and various grass species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, contributing to ecological stability.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Flora is Found in the Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park supports a <\/span><b>wide range of plant diversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including grasses, shrubs, and trees adapted to high-altitude conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is especially rich in <\/span><b>endemic plant species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, meaning they are found only in the Western Ghats region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The presence of <\/span><b>rare orchids and balsams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including some once thought extinct, highlights the ecological importance of the park.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This plant diversity helps in <\/span><b>soil conservation, water retention, and providing food and shelter for wildlife<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Animals are Found in Eravikulam National Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park is home to around <\/span><b>26 species of mammals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including the <\/span><b>Nilgiri Tahr<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is the most important species here.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other major animals include <\/span><b>Elephants, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Leopard, Tiger, Sloth Bear, and Wild Dog<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, forming a balanced ecosystem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rare and endemic species such as <\/span><b>Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Marten, and small-clawed otter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are also found here.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park also has over <\/span><b>130 species of birds<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including <\/span><b>Nilgiri Pipit, Black-and-orange Flycatcher, and Nilgiri Wood Pigeon<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, it supports <\/span><b>butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a biodiversity-rich habitat.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What is the Importance of Nilgiri Tahr in the Park?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Nilgiri Tahr<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an <\/span><b>endangered mountain goat species<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, endemic to the Western Ghats, and Eravikulam National Park holds its <\/span><b>largest surviving population<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientific name: <\/span><b>Nilgiritragus hylocrius<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; it is also the <\/span><b>state animal of Tamil Nadu<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is protected under <\/span><b>Schedule I of the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wildlife-protection-act\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, giving it the highest level of protection in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conservation efforts in the park have helped in <\/span><b>stabilizing its population<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making it a success story in wildlife protection.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why is Eravikulam National Park Ecologically Important?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park preserves one of the <\/span><b>largest remaining shola-grassland ecosystems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is rare and highly sensitive to environmental changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It plays a key role in <\/span><b>water conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as many important rivers originate from this region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It helps in <\/span><b>climate regulation, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining ecological balance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Western Ghats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park also supports <\/span><b>eco-tourism, research, and environmental education<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, promoting awareness about conservation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, it is an important example of how <\/span><b>natural ecosystems can be protected while allowing sustainable human interaction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eravikulam National Park in Kerala is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, Anamudi Peak, and Neelakurinji. Know its location, biodiversity, and significance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":112486,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4993,5106],"class_list":["post-4146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-environment","tag-environment-notes","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4146"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":112723,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4146\/revisions\/112723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112486"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}