National parks are protected havens for wildlife and ecosystems. They safeguard biodiversity, stunning landscapes and offer opportunities for research, education and responsible recreation. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers both State and Central governments to declare national parks (Sections 35 & 38) with clearly defined boundaries (Section 35). These sanctuaries prioritize wildlife conservation by strictly regulating activities within them (Sections 36 & 37). National parks are corner stones of environmental protection, ensuring a healthy planet for all.
State Government’s powers to declare National Parks :
Section 35 of the Wildlife Protection Act empowers State Governments to declare national parks. This power applies to areas with unique ecological, faunal, floral or geomorphological features, deemed crucial for wildlife protection and environmental preservation. The process involves notifying the public of the intention to designate the area as a national park, followed by a thorough investigation and determination of existing rights and claims.
Central Government’s Declaration:
While the primary authority for declaring national parks rests with the State Governments, Section 38 of the Act also grants the Central Government the power to declare specific areas as national parks under certain circumstances. This provision ensures the protection of areas of national importance, transcending state boundaries.
Declaration of Rights and Importance:
The Wildlife Protection Act restricts human activity within national parks to minimize environmental impact. Grazing of livestock and private tenurial rights are generally not permitted, prioritizing wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. This dedication underscores the immense importance of national parks:
- Protecting endangered species and biodiversity: National parks provide safe havens for threatened and endangered species, ensuring their survival and contributing to the overall health of ecosystems.
- Preserving natural heritage: These protected areas safeguard landscapes, ecosystems and natural resources, offering invaluable scientific, educational and aesthetic value.
- Promoting environmental education and research: National parks serve as living laboratories, fostering research initiatives and environmental education programs, raising awareness of conservation issues.
- Supporting sustainable tourism: Responsible tourism practices within national parks can generate revenue to support conservation efforts while allowing visitors to appreciate the natural wonders.
National Parks of Kerala
Kerala is home to a few remarkable national parks that showcase the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats. Let’s explore some of them:
- Eravikulam National Park:
- Located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki and Ernakulam districts of Kerala, this 97 sq.km national park is a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna.
- The park’s main body comprises a high rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of about 2,000 meters. It features high-altitude grasslands interspersed with sholas (dense forests).
- Anamudi, South India’s highest peak at 2,695 meters, stands majestically within the park.
- Wildlife: The park hosts a rich array of animals, including the endangered Nilgiri tahr (with an estimated population of 750 individuals), lion-tailed macaques, gaur, sambar deer and more. Predators like leopards and tigers also roam these hills.
- Birds: Over 132 bird species call Eravikulam home, including endemics like the black-and-orange flycatcher, Nilgiri pipit and Kerala laughingthrush.
- Butterflies: The park boasts 101 butterfly species, including the red disk bushbrown and the endemic Telingadavisoni
- Best Time to Visit: September to November, April to June
Neelakurinji, the enchanting flower that blooms once every 12 years, graces the slopes of Eravikulam National Park in Kerala. Let me paint a vivid picture of this botanical wonder:
Neelakurinji: The star of the show, Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), blankets the hillsides in a mesmerizing blue-purple carpet during its rare flowering season.
- These delicate Neelakurinji flowers bloom once every 12 years, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Their vibrant hues transform the landscape into a dreamy canvas.
- The habitat of Neelakurinji is confined to the shola grasslands of the Western Ghats, including the Nilgiri hills, Palani hills and the Eravikulam hills of Munnar.
Next Bloom:
- The next grand display of Neelakurinji is expected in 2030.
- Silent Valley National Park:
Silent Valley National Park, nestled in the Nilgiri hills of Kerala, is a biodiversity hotspot that harbors rare and endemic species of plants and animals. Let’s delve into its remarkable features:
- Situated about 200 kilometers from the district of Idukki, this park boasts lush green rainforests. It is renowned for its tiger population and is the abode of the largest number of lion-tailed macaques, an endangered species of primates.
- Area: 237.52 sq.km
- Known for: Rich biodiversity, especially the lion-tailed macaque
- Best Time to Visit: December to April.
The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, India, derives its intriguing name from a combination of fascinating stories:
- Absence of Noisy Cicadas:
- British botanist Robert Wightexplored the watersheds of the Silent Valley area in 1847. The British named it Silent Valley due to a perceived absence of noisy cicadas, which are typically found in dense forests.
- The serene silence of this pristine forest captured their attention, leading to the poetic name that endures to this day
- Anglicization of Sairandhri:
- Another theory attributes the name to the anglicization of Sairandhri, a local term.
- The valley’s tranquility and untouched beauty evoke a sense of stillness, as if nature itself whispers its secrets.
Flora:
- The park boasts pristine evergreen forests that include a variety of tree species such as teak, amla, rosewood and bamboo.
- Above 1,500 meters, the forest transitions to a stunted forest interspersed with open grasslands. This higher altitude area remains undisturbed by human settlements, allowing for the discovery of new plant species.
- Silent Valley is part of the rich biodiversity of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Fauna:
- Mammals: Approximately 41 mammal species inhabit the area. Notable residents include elephants, lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, Nilgiri tahr, tigers, leopards, sloth bears and gaurs.
- Birds: A total of 211 bird species have been recorded, with around 30 species being rare. The undisturbed evergreen sections are particularly rich in endemic bird life. Silent Valley serves as a breeding ground for the elusive Malay/Tiger Bittern and hosts about 20 raptor species.
- Reptiles: The valley is home to 25 confirmed snake species, including the King Cobra, Beddome’s keelback and Ceylon cat snake. Other rarities like the Travancore tortoise and Horsfield’s spiny lizard also thrive here.
- Insects and Butterflies: Over 730 insect species and 128 butterfly species flutter through the lush greenery.
- Flowering Plants: The park boasts an impressive 1,000 species of flowering plants including 128 species of orchids.
Conservation and History:
- Silent Valley was declared a national park in 1984 after the Save Silent Valley movement successfully halted a hydroelectric project that threatened its biodiversity.
- The park is contiguous with the Karimpuzha National Park, forming the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and contributing to the Western Ghats World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO.
- The visitors’ center is located at Sairandhri within the park.
Silent Valley National Park stands as one of the undisturbed tracts of South Western Ghats mountain rainforests and tropical moist evergreen forests in India—a sanctuary where nature thrives in harmony.
- Anamudi Shola National Park:
Located in the Idukki district along the Western Ghats in Idukki district of Kerala, this remarkable reserve covers an area of 7.5 sq.km. Visitors can explore attractions like the Thoovanam waterfall, Chinnar River and Pambar River within the park.
- Composition: The park comprises three distinct sholas (tropical montane evergreen forests): Mannavan Shola, Idivara Shola, Pullardi Shola
- Total Area: Approximately 5 square kilometers.
- Protected Area Status: It was declared a protected area on November 21, 2003
- Known for: Rich biodiversity with endemic flora and fauna
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
Geography and Elevation:
- The elevation within the park ranges from 2,152 meters (7,060 feet) to 2,305 meters (7,562 feet) above sea level.
- The average annual rainfall is about 2,500 millimeters (98 inches), contributing to its lush greenery.
- Anamudi Shola National Park serves as a crucial wildlife habitat connector, linking neighboring protected areas such as Mathikettan Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kurinjimala Sanctuary
Flora and Fauna:
- Unique Flora: The park hosts some of the rarest plant species that are not found elsewhere. These sholas provide a safe haven for diverse flora.
- Wildlife: Anamudi Shola is home to a rich variety of fauna, including Elephants, Tigers, Nilgiri tahr, Gaur (Indian bison), Spotted Deer, Sambar, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Sloth Bear, Flying Squirrels etc.
- The park contributes to the conservation of these wild species
Significance and Conservation:
- Ahamudi Shola National Park forms part of the Anamalai sub-cluster within the Western Ghats.
- The high-altitude grassland restoration project at Pazhathottam, initiated by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, is a unique endeavor within the park.
Visit and Exploration:
- The park is approximately 45 kilometers from the town of Munnar.
- Visitors can explore the pristine shola forests, observe wildlife and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of this protected area.
The Anamudi Shola National Park exemplifies Kerala’s unwavering dedication to preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological equilibrium.
- Pampadum Shola National Park:
As the smallest national park in Kerala, it spans an area of 11.75 sq.km. Managed by the Kerala Forest Department, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee along with other parks in the Western Ghats.
- Location: Pampadum Shola National Park is situated along the Eastern part of the South Western Ghats, near Vattavada in the Idukki district of Kerala.
- Established: The park was declared a national park in 2003.
- Etymology: The name “Pampadum Shola” translates to “the forest where the snake dances” in Malayalam. It combines the words “paampu” (snake), “aattam” (dance) and “chola” (grassy forests near the high range)
- Known for: Unique shola forests and endemic species
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
Flora:
- The park protects a moderate amount of montane evergreen shola forest, which is associated with the wildlife-rich Eravikulam National Park
- Medicinal Plants: Various types of medicinal plants thrive here and studies have been conducted to understand their properties.
- Eucalyptus Threat: Beyond the forest range, there are grandis trees (a variety of eucalyptus) that pose a threat to the area’s ecology due to their dehydrating and quick-spreading nature. The Kerala Forest Department has started taking efforts to eco-restore the area in a phased manner.
- Unique Humus: The park’s uncontaminated “humus” has drawn recent interest for study .
Fauna:
- Keystone Species: The highly elusive and endangered Nilgiri marten plays a crucial role in the ecosystem.
- Other Wildlife: Leopards, Indian wild dogs and tigers are important animals in the park.
- Birds: Notable bird species include the Nilgiri wood-pigeon, white-bellied shortwing, vernal hanging parrot and Nilgiri flycatcher.
Conservation and Significance:
- Pampadum Shola National Park is part of the Anamalai sub-cluster within the Western Ghats, which is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
Pampadum Shola National Park stands as a testament to Kerala’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage.
- Mathikettanshola National Park
Mathikettan Shola National Park, located in the Idukki district of Kerala, India, is a 12.82 km² protected area that showcases the unique beauty of shola forests.
Location and Establishment:
- Location: The park is situated in Poopara village, part of the Udumbanchola taluk.
- History: Mathikettan Shola was declared a national park on November 21, 2003.
- Importance: Due to its distinctive shola forest and significance as an elephant corridor, the state government designated it as a national park.
- Adjacent Reserves: The park lies between the Eravikulam National Park and the Pampadum Shola National Park.
Etymology:
- The name Mathikettan originates from the Tamil word, which literally means “one who had his mind confused.”
- Local folklore suggests that once you enter the area, the path becomes elusive, leading to the intriguing name
Flora and Fauna:
- Shola Forest: Mathikettan Shola is bestowed with a rich variety of geological fauna and flora.
- Wildlife: The park hosts diverse species, including elephants, gaurs, wild boars, sambar deer, common langurs, wild dogs, and jungle cats.
These national parks offer a glimpse into Kerala’s natural beauty and diverse wildlife.