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 area of 108 sqkm. 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 Cintaimirans (Fern)
4) Habebaria 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, Malabur 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 piegeon,Tickell's flower pecker, Rufus Wood pecker,Rose ringed Parakeet, Black eagle, Great Indian Malabar pied Horn bill, Fairy 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 Manjampally and Varagaliyar. While a wild life interpretation centres is at aliyar, a medicinal plant interpretation centre is at Topslip.

OTHER DETAILS :
Altitude : 340-2400m.
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 : 6.00hrs. to 8.00 hrs. & 17.00hrs. to 19.00hrs.
Accommodation : Forest Guest House at Topslip, Varagaliyar,Amravathi, Sethumadai PWD Guest House with food at Udumalaipettai or Amravathi EB Guest house at Attakatti
Other Facilities : Elepahants and vehicles on hire available
Authority : Wild Life Warden, 178, Meenakshi Salai,pollachi-642001. Ph: 25356