Kudremukha

Kudremukh, meaning horse-face in Kannada, refers to a mountain range and its highest peak in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Kudremukh Peak rises to about 1,894 meters above sea level and is renowned for its rugged, horseshoe-shaped summit. The range is located in the Chikkamagaluru district and forms the core of the Kudremukh National Park.

Kudremukh National Park, established in 1987, covers roughly 106 square kilometers and protects a landscape of evergreen and moist deciduous forests, shola-grassland mosaics, and its surrounding hills. The area is ecologically significant as part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, supporting a variety of flora and fauna with several endemic and threatened species. The park is crisscrossed by streams that feed regional river systems and contribute to biodiversity.

Historically, Kudremukh hosted a major iron ore mining operation conducted by Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Environmental concerns and ecological impacts led the government to ban mining in 2006, and the mine was subsequently closed. Since then, mining activities have ceased and the area is managed primarily for conservation and limited ecotourism under strict regulations.

Access to the park is restricted to protect delicate habitats; visitors typically require permits, guided entries, and compliance with forest department regulations. Kudremukh remains a symbol of the Western Ghats’ ecological richness and a notable example of balancing resource use with conservation.