Mudumalai National Park complete detail – updated. Geography of Mudumalai National Park. Dominant flora and fauna of Mudumalai National Park. How to Reach Mudumalai National Park. Mudumalai National Park is a part of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Total area of the park is 103.24 Km2. It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1990. In April 2007, the Tamil Nadu state government declared Mudumalai to be a tiger reserve. The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur………….
The park is ideal home to several endangered and vulnerable species including Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Leopard, Deer, Wild dog etc. There are about 200 species of birds in the park, including White rumped vulture, Long billed vulture, Red crest, Mynas, Parakeets, Owls etc. Mammal diversity is higher in the dry deciduous and dry thorn forest than in the other habitats. Thirteen percent of all mammal species in India are present in Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary…………..
National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife & biodiversity, and where activities like developmental, forestry, poaching, hunting and grazing on cultivation are not permitted. Their boundaries are well marked and circumscribed.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Nilgiris district of the state of Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai National Park is a part of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1990. Total area of the park is 103.24 Km2. In April 2007, the Tamil Nadu state government declared Mudumalai to be a tiger reserve.
The park shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala. The sanctuary is divided into five ranges – Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.
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State wise list of Wildlife Sanctuaries of India – updated
The Western Ghats Nilgiri Sub-Cluster of 6,000 Km2, including all of Mudumalai National Park, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
A variety of habitats ranging from Tropical Evergreen forest, Moist mixed deciduous, Moist Teak forest, Dry teak forest, Secondary grass lands, Shrubs and Swamps exists here.
There is a high diversity of animal life in the park with about 50 species of fishes, 21 species of amphibians, 34 species of reptiles, 200 species of birds and 50 species of mammals.
The park is ideal home to several endangered and vulnerable species including Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Leopard, Deer, Wild dog etc. There are about 200 species of birds in the park, including White rumped vulture, Long billed vulture, Red crest, Mynas, Parakeets, Owls etc.
Mammal diversity is higher in the dry deciduous and dry thorn forests than in the other habitats. Thirteen percent of all mammal species in India are present in Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary.
The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.
The Mudumalai Park is an important wildlife habitat due to its strategic position as a Wildlife corridor between several other protected areas making an essential part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Its north is being crusted with Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park and at its west is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary along the south corner is flourished with Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park.
History
In 1862, a 99-year lease was awarded to the Tamil Nadu state government at a yearly charge of Rs. 3,500. Mudumalai was conceded to the government on sole ownership basis in 1914. In 1927, it became a reserve forest. A 23 sq. km. patch was recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1942.
During World War II, the interiors of the forest were used as a camp to train soldiers to be sent to Burma. It was as late as 1977 before an area of 321 km2 including Mudumalai and some parts of the Sigur hills fell within the purview of the sanctuary.
Mudumalai forest area was established as Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the year of 1942. Total area of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is 321 Km2.
Mudumalai National Park is a part of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The area 103.24 Km2 of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Mudumalai National Park in the year of 1990.
In April 2007, the Tamil Nadu state government declared Mudumalai to be a tiger reserve. Continuance of Project Tiger’ in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve for FY 2010/11, at the cost of INR 4 Crores was approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in the year of 2010.
Geography
Mudumalai National Park is located in the Nilgiris district of the state of Tamil Nadu. Mudumalai National Park is a part of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Mudumalai National Park is situated at the tri-junction of the three southern states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
The Sanctuary shares its boundaries with the states of Karnataka and Kerala. The sanctuary is divided into five ranges – Masinagudi, Thepakadu, Mudumalai, Kargudi and Nellakota.
A variety of habitats ranging from Tropical Evergreen forest, Moist mixed deciduous, Moist Teak forest, Dry teak forest, Secondary grass lands, Shrubs and Swamps exists here.
The river Moyar that flows along the border or Tamil Nadu and Karnataka separates the two. The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through the Park, following the course of the Moyar River, which separates Mudumalai from Bandipur.
The Mudumalai Park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Its north is being crusted with Bandipur National Park and Nagarhole National Park and at its west is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary along the south corner is flourished with Mukurthi National Park and Silent Valley National Park.
The hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, clothed in dense mixed and moist deciduous forests, make Mudumalai (the ancient hills) a most attractive wildlife reserve.
Area
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary – 217.76 Km2
Mudumalai National Park – 103.24 Km2
Total – 321.00 Km2
Latitude: 11°33′ – 11°39′ N
Longitude: 76°23′ – 76°43′ E
Rainfall – 900 mm – 2000 mm
Dominant flora
Litsea mysorensis, Casseria ovoides, Cinnamomum malabatrum, Olea dioca, Sneeze Wort, Gnetum ula, Entada scandens, Mangifera indica, Terminalia arjuna, Pongamia glabra, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia crenulata, Shorea roxburgi, Terminalia bellerica, Ziziphus, Acacia spp., Acacia sundra, Bambusa arundinacea, Schleichera oleosa etc.
Dominant fauna
Mammals – Elephant, Giant Flying Squirrel, Tiger, Leopard, Gaur, Hyena, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Muntjac, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Bonner Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Porcupine, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Langurs etc.
Birds – Crested Hawk Eagles, Crested Serpent Eagle, Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Large Racket-Tailed Drongos, Spotted Babbler, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Parakeets, Bulbuls, Cuckoos, Hornbills, Tiny-eared Owl, Black Woodpecker, Mynas, Barbets, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons, King Vulture etc.
Reptiles – Cobras, Crocodile, Pythons, Common Krait, Bamboo Pit Snake, Turtles etc.
Other Attractions
Scenic spots
Moyar River
Elephant Safari and Van Safari,
The Elephant Feeding Camp
Museum
Kallatty falls
Pykara Lake
Moyar River Gorge
Bandipur National Park
Wayanad Sanctuary
Masinagudi
Camping
Tree house stay
Water hole visit
Village Tour
Swimming in the natural pool
Best time to visit
The best time of the year to visit the Mudumalai National Park is between the months of December to June.
In the summers, the park is closed. Early mornings and the afternoons, when official tours are usually arranged, ensure diverse sightings.
How to Reach
By Air – Nearest airport is Coimbatore airport, about 160 Km from the Mudumalai National Park. Coimbatore airport is well connected by road network to Mudumalai National Park.
By Rail – Nearest railway station is Ooty railway station, about 64 Km from the Mudumalai National Park. Ooty railway station is well connected by road network to Mudumalai National Park.
By Road – Nearest town is Gudalur, about 16 Km from the Mudumalai National Park. Mudumalai National Park is well connected to Major Cities and Places by road network. There are a number of government and privately operated vehicles that go to Mudumalai National Park at frequent intervals.
Accommodations
Forest Department has accommodation in Forest Rest Houses at Theppakadu, Kargudi, Abayaranyam and Masinagudi. The forest department has cottages in various locations within the forests available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are various private resorts and guest houses that visitors can stay in.
Useful Contact
Wildlife Warden, Mudumalai Sanctuary, Coonoor Road, Ooty, Tamil Nadu. Tel.: 0423-44098.
Field Research Station, Indian Institute of Science, Masinagudi, Nilgiri – 643 223.
Other National Parks in Tamil Nadu. Name of National Parks, Year of Notification and Total Area is as follows……….
| S. No. | Name of National Park | Year of Notification | Total Area(km²) |
| 1 | Mukurthi National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1990 | 78.46 |
| 2 | Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1989 | 117.10 |
| 3 | Guindy National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1976 | 2.82 |
| 4 | Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1980 | 6.23 |
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