Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park, which earlier was a game reserve under British rule, is a popular wildlife reserve located in Kerala’s Idukki District. A popular destination among wildlife lovers, the national park is admired for its natural beauty, spread in the form of grasslands, criss-crossing streams, orchids, and waterfalls. The highest peak of the Western Ghats range, named Anamudi, is located inside the park.
Specialty Of Eravikulam National Park
The park is particularly famous for accommodating the extremely endangered species of Nilgiri Tahr (a kind of mountain goat). With a population of more than 750 Tahrs, the park has attained a great reputation in the region. Other frequently spotted fauna inside the park include Indian bison, sambar deer, jungle cat, dhole, and golden jackal.
Leopards and tigers also live in this wildlife sanctuary. Nilgiri langur, Indian porcupine, dusky-striped squirrel, and elephants are less common. In addition, nearly 140 species of birds find the park their home. There is no dearth of species of amphibians and butterflies as well.
Dominated by grasslands, the park also has regions with shrubs and forests. Visitors to the park can explore the wildlife area using the mini-bus service. The park opens from 7 in the morning until 6 in the evening (the park will be closed for the two months in a year—February and March, which are said to be the animals breeding season). Idukki National Park at Devikulam serves as a homestay for a huge variety of flowers, plants, birds, and animals. This wildlife will be different from the others, consisting of animals mostly in hilly areas. Traveling on safari around the national park will be a thrilling experience.