Eravikulam

Eravikulam, officially Eravikulam National Park, is a protected area in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, located near the hill station town of Munnar in Idukki district. Established in 1978, the park covers about 97 square kilometers and sits on the high mountain slopes where montane grasslands transition to shola forests. It includes Anamudi Peak, the highest point in South India, at around 2,695 meters.

The park protects a range of alpine and submontane habitats that support a diversity of endemic flora and fauna. It is best known for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered ungulate whose population is concentrated within Eravikulam and surrounding areas. The landscape also hosts various small mammals, birds, and rich plant communities adapted to high-elevation conditions. The Rajamalai area of the park is a popular viewing zone where visitors can observe Nilgiri Tahr in their natural habitat.

A notable seasonal feature is the Neelakurinji bloom, caused by the Strobilanthes kunthiana, which carpets the hills at long intervals (roughly every 12 years). The bloom draws many visitors when it occurs, contributing to the park’s profile as a conservation and tourism site.

Eravikulam National Park is managed by the Kerala Forest Department as a protected area focused on conserving high-altitude ecosystems and the Nilgiri Tahr, while balancing tourism and scientific research.