Anamudi Shola National Park

Location - Devikulam Taluk in Idukki District, Kerala.
Best time to visit - October to March
How to reach:-
Train - Pollachi Junction (91.2 km)
Flight - Cochin International Airport (160 km)
Road - Munnar Bus Stand (53.8 km) and Marayoor Bus Stand (18 km)

The Anamudi Shola National Park is a fascinating destination for nature lovers, safeguard in the Western Ghats. Spread across an area of 7.5 sq. km, the national park is under the supervision of the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division. Anamudi Shola includes Mannavan Shola, Idivara Shola and Pullardi Shola within its national park premises. The national park was declared a protected area on November 21, 2003. The Anamudi Shola National Park is a part of the Marayoor Village and the Pampadum Shola National Park is in close vicinity to the Anamudi Shola. The rainforest of this national park is a part of the Anamalai sub-cluster, which was delegated for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Program. The temperature of the national park ranges between 9℃ in December to 30℃ in April and receives an annual average rainfall of 4500 mm approximately.

The Pambar River flows through the national park towards the east to form the Thoovanan Waterfall, along with several perennial streams that originate from this Shola forest. Anamudi Shola is encircled by a few parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pampadum Shola National Park, Kurunjimala Sanctuary and Mathikettan Shola National Park. The largest Shola Forest patch of South India lies in the Anamudi Shola National Park, with a biodiversity of montane vegetation. The park also consists of some endemic species of plants, which are of great interest to the zoologists and botanists. The Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department initiated a high-altitude eco-restoration project at Pazhathottam in Anamudi Shola National Park. The view of the Anjanad Valley from Methappu, the entrance of the national park is an absolutely mesmerising visual treat.

Guided trekking, under the initiative of the Forest Department and the Eco-development Committees (EDCs) of the tribal community, is a part of eco-tourism activities. The trekking expedition commences from Karrimutti Forest Stations and ends up at Thoovanam Waterfalls, enclosing the enthralling glances of rare flora and wild animals. The only tribal group that resides near the Anamudi Shola National Park is the Muthuvan community. There are no safari options in the national park. However, along with jungle treks, staying at log huts in Methappu and Thamburan Kavala also caters a unique experience.

Flora - Southern Hilltop Tropical Vegetation, West Coast Tropical Evergreen, the Endangered Tree Fern, Mosses, Lichens and Climbers.

Fauna - Tiger, Panther, Wild Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr, Indian Bison, Spotted Deer, Gaur, Endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrels, Sambar, Flying Squirrels, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, Civet Cats, Wolves, Wild Dogs And Various Species Of Monkeys, Birds, Butterflies and Moths.