Eravikulam National Park
This is a must visit place in Munnar for all animal and nature lovers. The park is situated around 8KMs from the munnar town. You can drive down to the base of the park in your vehicle or one of the autos(you have to see them climbing the steepy hills!!). From here you will have to go to the top of the hill where the Eravikulan National park is situated on one of the buses provided by the park.
is it not beautiful ?
The park is home to the Nilgiri tahr - an endangered goat species. At the start of the 20th centuary only 100 of these beautiful animals were left after being almost destroyed by hunting and poaching. Since then the nilgiri Tahr has been included in the list of endangered species. Efforts are being made to prevent the extinction of this wild goat like many other endangered species. With the efforts of the park officials and others involved in saving the Nilgiri Tahr the population has increased to above 1600 and around 700 of them reside in this park. The park is spread across 100 sq KMs and is claimed to be one of the cleanest national parks in India.
The entry tickets to the park cost Rs 35/- for Indians and Rs 200/- for foreign nationals. Incase you are carrying a camera you would have to shell out Rs 25/- for a still camera and Rs 200/- for a Video camera.
During the calving season of the nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam National Park is closed for 45 days from February 1st onwards.