Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is the first national park in Kerala, located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala in South India. The park is 15 km away from Munnar and it is one of most important tourist destinations in Kerala. The national park is managed by the Kerala Department of Forest and Wildlife.
The park has the largest stretch of undistributed montane shola-grassland eco system in Western Ghats. Anamudy, the highest peak (2695m.) south of Himalayas, is located within the park.
Huge waterfall beside the Eravikulam National Park Rajamalai hill, Munnar
Little History
Eravikulam National Park was part of the erstwhile Kanan Devan hills concession land and before becoming a National Park, the area was the hunting reserve of the colonial tea planters.
In 1975 Eravikulam was declared as a wildlife sanctuary and then in 1978 it was given the status of a National Park. The main motive behind this was to protect the rare Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus Hylocrious) which is common in Eravikulam.
Nilgiri Tahr at Rajamalai hills, Munnar
Flora and Fauna
The park has a rare collection of varieties of flora and fauna. The sight of variety of orchids is one of the specialties of this park. Apart from Nilgiri Tahr, visitors can find around 26 different species of mammals at this park.
Important Fauna: Nilgiri Tahr, Tiger, Nilgiri Marten, Gaur, Asiatic Elephant, Sambar Deer, Nilgiri Langur, Asiatic Wild Dog, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Mongoose, barking Deer
Nilgiri Tahr at Nilgiri hills – Rajamalai, Munnar
Rajamalai Torurism
The national park is divided into three areas, the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. In which, the Rajamalai is known to be the tourism area of the park.
The tourists are allowed to travel deep into the forest of Rajamalai to explore the hidden beauty of the environment around. Rajamalai is one of the Kurinji flowering areas of Munnar.
Entry Fees
Adult Indians: Rs.15/head
Foreigners: Rs.200/head
Children below 12 years: Rs.5/head
Neelakurinji shrub and flowers at Eravikulam National Park, Munnar
Eravikulam National Park – Instructions to the Visitors
Photo Credit: Ajai Devaraj
Location Map
Nearest railway station: Angamaly, about 109 km; Ernakulam, about 145 km away.
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 110 km away.