Why not head to Tamil Nadu for a holiday amid some of India's most spectacular natural forests? Endowed with a rich ecological diversity, the state is home to many flora and fauna, including rare endemics and threatened species. With the formation of the Srivilliputtur Megamalai Tiger Reserve, the state now has five tiger reserves. Interestingly, the Mudumalai and Anamalai tiger reserves were among the 14 Indian tiger reserves awarded the Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS) status for effective management of target species. One of the most interesting aspects of the tiger reserves is that they are part of some of the world's key biosphere reserves.
Here is a look at the 5 tiger reserves in Tamil Nadu.
Carved out of the Anamalai hills, the tiger reserve falls within the Western Ghats, which in itself is one of the 25 Global Biodiversity Hotspots. The reserve has diverse habitats, including tropical forests, shola jungles, bamboo groves and vast grasslands. It is known for its many endemic species of flora and fauna. Some of the key animals found here apart from the tiger are the Gaur, sloth bear, elephants, pangolin, deer, and over 350 species of birds. Crocodiles can be spotted in the Amaravathy dam reservoir. One of the most interesting places inside the reserve is the Karianshola forest.
Coimbatore, the nearest airport, is about 75km away. Pollachi, about 35km away, is the closest town and railway station. Topslip, one of the most scenic areas within the reserve, is the best place to visit. Topslip is about 40km from Pollachi. In 2007-2008, this Anaimalai region was declared a Tiger Reserve; later, it changed to Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. This reserve shows the presence of a minimum of 15 tigers and co-predators.
The forest remains open throughout the year, except during the peak monsoon. Accommodation in the form of forest rest houses, dormitories, trekking sheds, etc., is available at various points, including Topslip, Valparai, Pollachi, etc. Visitors can take advantage of the vehicle and elephant safaris. Trekking on specific routes may also be undertaken with the permission and services of a guide.
Popularly known as KMTR, this reserve was created in 1988 by combining the existing and contiguous Kalakkad and Mundanthurai wildlife sanctuaries. Kalakkad–Mundanthurai was declared the first tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu. It occupies the southern part of the Western Ghats and consists of wet evergreen forests, the catchment area of 14 rivers. It is also part of the Agasthiyarmalai Biosphere Reserve, considered one of India's five centres of plant diversity and endemism by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Apart from tigers, the forest is home to sambar, spotted deer, elephants, leopards, wild dogs, many bird species, reptiles, etc.
The most convenient gateway to KMTR is through Tirunelveli, nearly 50km from Mundanthurai and 45km from Kalakkad. With permission from the forest office and a guide, Trekkers can explore the forest on specified routes. Forest rest houses are available at both Mundanthurai and Kalakad. The best time to visit is between October and March.
The most popular tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu, it stands at the state's border with Karnataka and Kerala. Surrounded by the ancient ranges of the Western Ghats hills (the name 'Mudumalai' means 'old mountains'), it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Besides meadows covered with tall elephant grass, the forest contains teak, rosewood, and other plants. Other than the tiger, some key animals include elephants, gaur, wild dogs, sambar, several kinds of deer, and the Malabar Giant Squirrel. There are more than 260 species of birds.
Forest department-managed lodging is accessible at Theppakadu, Masinagudi, and Abhayaranyam. Permits for vehicle or elephant safaris into the forest must be obtained from the Reception Range Office in Theppakadu. Between November and March is the greatest time to come.
A tiger reserve since 2013, it forms an important corridor between the Eastern and Western Ghats through the Nilgiris. The 2019 census shows the forest has 83 tigers and 111 leopards. With its strategic location, the tiger reserve is contiguous with other important protected areas, including BRT, Bandipur, Mudumalai, and Nagarahole. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, it is also home to spotted deer, Sambar, Gaur, elephants, leopards, wild pigs, and other animals, including over 200 species of birds. The vegetation ranges from dry thorn shrubs to patches of semi-evergreen forests in the upper regions. The forest is also home to several indigenous tribes, including the Irula and Soliga.
The latest tiger reserve in the state, the Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR), was formed in February 2021 by combining the Megamalai and Srivilliputhur wildlife sanctuaries. It lies in the Western Ghats region. Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve is Tamil Nadu's fifth Tiger Reserve and India's 51st Tiger Reserve. Srivilliputhur was well-known as the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary. Bengal tigers, elephants, gaurs, Indian giant squirrels, leopards, Nilgiri Tahrs, and other animals can be observed here.
The forest in this area is a blend of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, dry deciduous and moist mixed deciduous woods, and grassland. SMTR is also adjacent to the Kalakkad Mundanthurai reserve. The Srivilliputhur end is about 45km from Virudhunagar town.