Near the hill station of Munnar, Eravikulam National Park surrounds India’s highest peak south of the Himalayas and was established to protect the endangered Nilgiri tahr – a wild mountain goat endemic to the hill ranges of the Western Ghats.
Today there is an estimated population of 700-800 individuals, making it the largest wild population in the world. Alongside the Nilgiri tahr, Eravikulam is home of other little known fauna including the endemic Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter and dusky striped squirrel. Larger mammals which have also been sighted in the park include Nilgiri langur, leopard, tiger and Indian bison.
India’s highest peak south of Himalayas, Anamudi (2,695 metres), stands at the centre of the park. The mountain's sharp escarpments and cliffs make this area an isolated tableland and create a unique microclimate. Thanks to this microclimate, Eravikulam is a haven for rare orchids and wild balsams. It also provides the ideal habitat for Neelakurinji, a flower which only blooms once in over 12 years and carpets the hillsides blue.
The park is closed in the early part of the year when the goats are calving.
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