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Wildlife Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Spread over 9.58 Sq.kms., this sanctuary can be reached through Topslip in Anamalai Hills on the Western Ghats. An Ecological Paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park with an Orea of 108 Sq.km. Abutting Kerala on the West, this hill forest boasts of thick growth of trees, folds of terrains with evergreen sholas. About 800 species of South Indian flora are distributed here.

Some of the many rare and endangered species of flora are:
1. Combretum Ovalifolium, 2. Dispyros nilagrica, 3. Gymnopteris Contaimirans (Fern), 4. Habebarai reriflora (Orchid), 5. Polypodum pleroupus, 6. Alsophila sp, 7. Bulbophyllum sp., 8. Lasianthus uenuloses, 9. Angiopterris Erectra, 10. Gnetum Ula, 11. Impaliens Elegans, 12. Lycopodium cernum, 13. Ranunculus reniformis and Osmunda Regulis.

This sanctuary nurtures Arboreal animals like lion tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, Common Langur, Nilgiris Langur, Malabar Giant squirrel and Grizzled giant Squirrel. The ground animals listed are: Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Pangolin, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Nilgiris Tahr, Civet Cat and Toddy Cat. The Avifauna includes Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird and green Billed Malkhoha etc.

OTHER ECO - CENTRES :

Equally enticing in the sanctuary are Monkey Falls at Aliyar, Crocodile breeding centre at Amaravathi, Gran Hills, Attakatti, Nirar, Kullipatti, Manompally, Chinnar, Thirumoorthy, Varagaliyar and Manjampathy. Trekking sheds available at Manjapally and Varagaliyar. While a wild life interpretation Centre is at Aliyar, a medicinal plant interpretation Centre is at Topslip.

OTHER DETAILS :

Altitude: 340-2400 m.
Rainfall: 500-5000mm, South West and North East Monsoon; Climate: Pleasant, equable warm climate Jan- Oct, Chill winter at high altitude: Nov- Dec; Best season: May through January: Access: Pollachi 35 kms by rail and road, Coimbatore 75 kms. by Air; Nearest Gasoline Station: Pollachi 35 kms. Time to Visit: hrs. to 8.00hrs. & 17.00 hrs. to 19.00 hrs,; Accommodation: Forest Guest House at Topslip, Varagaliyar, Amaravathi, Sethumadai PWD Guest House with food at Udumalaipettai or Amaravathi EB Guest House at Attakatti; Other facilities: Elephants and Vehicles on hire; available
Authority: Wild life Warden, 178, Meenakarai Salai, Pollachi- 642 001. Phone: 25356