Wikipedia

Mukurthi National Park

Mukurthi National Park(MNP) is a 78.46 km2(30.3 sq mi)protected arealocated in the western corner of theNilgirisPlateauwest ofOotacamundhill stationin the northwest corner ofTamil Nadustate in theWestern Ghatsmountain range ofSouth India.The park was created to protect itskeystone species,theNilgiri tahr.[1]

Mukurthi National Park
Nilgiri tahrin montane grasslands
LocationNilgiri District,Tamil Nadu
Coordinates11°16′N76°28.5′E/ 11.267°N 76.4750°E/11.267; 76.4750
Area78.46 km2(30.29 sq mi)
Elevation2629
Established12 December 2001
Websitewww.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_muknp.html

The park is characterised bymontane grasslands and shrublandsinterspersed withsholasin a high altitude area of high rainfall, near-freezing temperatures and high winds. It is home to an array ofendangeredwildlife, includingroyal Bengal tigerandAsian elephant,but its main mammal attraction is the Nilgiri tahr. The park was previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.

The park is a part ofNilgiri Biosphere Reserve,India's firstInternational Biosphere Reserve.As part of the Western Ghats, it is aUNESCOWorld Heritage Sitesince 1 July 2012.[2]

History

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Mukukurthi National Park boundary

Nativehill tribecommunities including theToda peoplehave harvested firewood from the sholas and grazed their animals including thehill buffalofor centuries. Indiscriminate felling of the sholas started with the establishment of British settlements in Ootacamund,CoonoorandWellingtonin the early 19th century. Beginning in 1841 authorities issued contracts to bidders to fell wood from specific sholas in a 'timber conservancy' program. In 1868 James Breeds, commissioner of the Hills, wrote: "...unless conservancy is taken in hand and organized under some efficient system under the control of an experienced officer, the destruction of the sholas is but a question of time."[3]

Bangitappal(Cannabis tableland), at the southwest end of the park at the confluence of two streams at the head of theSispara Pass,used to be a halting place on the old Sispara ghat road fromKozhikodeto Ooty, constructed in 1832. This pass provided a short land route for postal runners from Ooty to the west coast in the 19th century and was used for smuggling of cannabis, tobacco and later salt.[4]A forest rest house and a trekkers shed built there in 1930 are now used by park staff and visiting researchers.

Between 1840 and 1856plantationsof several non-native tree species were introduced to the area to satisfy the fuel-wood demand. These included fourwattlespecies (black wattle,silver wattle,green wattleandblackwood),eucalyptus,cypress,Indian long leaf pineandthorny gorse.Eucalyptus became the preferred plantation tree.

Unlike the others, the wattles spread by root suckers to quickly cover large areas of native grasslands, including the Mukurthi Hills, and was declared a pest "useful for covering wastelands.".[5]Someblack wattleplantations were maintained for the leather industry, as their bark yieldedtannin.

In 1882 Inspector General of Forests,Dietrich Brandis"recommended bringing the present 1,200 acres (4.9 km2) of plantation up to 5,000 acres (20 km2) to create enormous forest blocks "...which would make any remaining sholas redundant forest resources."[6]The entire area of MNP, was declared as aReserve forestin 1886.[7]

In 1920 it was suggested that 10–15 acre plots in the Kundah Hills including the present park area, "be planted up each year in places where sholas have almost or quite disappeared, the most suitable species probably beingAcacia dealbata(silver wattle) ", thus replacing highly diverse endemic and stable ecosystems with an exotic monoculture supporting little animal diversity.[8]

The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 3 August 1982 and upgraded to a National Park on 15 October 1990 in order to protect the Nilgiri tahr.[7][9]

Geography

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Mukurthi National Park topographic map 1:250,000
Mukurthi National Park
boundaries and features map
Map of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, showing Mukurthi National Park in relation to multiple contiguous protected areas
Mukurthi National Park, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India. A lovely tapestry of southern high mountain grasslands

Mukurthi National Park has an elongated crescent shape facing to the west between 11°10' to 11°22' N and 76°26' to 76°34' E. It is bordered on the west by Nilambur South Forest Division, to the northwest by Gudalur Forest Division, to the northeast, east and southeast byNilgiri South Forest Divisionand to the south by Mannarghat Forest Division. At its southwest tip the peaks of this park straddle the northeast corner ofSilent Valley National ParkofKerala.[10]

On the Nilgiri Plateau, the Kundah range of the Nilgiri hills is a ridge on the south-western side of Mukurthi National Park borderingKerala.The Tamil Nadu/Kerala border here is 39 km long. The park generally slopes towards the east and south receiving water from the Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah rivers, and the Upper Bhavani and Mukurthi reservoirs which flow through the park. Also several perennial streams originate in the park, most of which drain into the Bhavani River.[11]

Mukurthi Peakelevation: 2554 m.

Park elevation varies from 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to 2,629 m (8,625 ft), withKollaribetta2,629 m (8,625 ft),Mukurthi2,554 m (8,379 ft), andNilgiri2,476 m (8,123 ft) being the highest peaks in this part of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu. With elevations greater than the general level of the plateau, the range possesses some peaks close to the height ofDoddabetta,just east of Ooty. Avalanche hillof this range has twin-peaks of theKudikkadu(height: 2,590 metres (8,497 ft)) and theKolaribetta.Derbetta(or Bear Hill) (height: 2,531 metres (8,304 ft)) andKolibetta(height: 2,494 metres (8,182 ft)), south of the Ouchterlony valley, are a continuation of the Kundah range.

Pichalbetta(height: 2,544 metres (8,346 ft)),Nilgiri PeakandMukurthi Peakare the important heights of this area. Though not the highest hills in the Nilgiris, these three hills stand out in relation to the generally uniform level of this area.[12]

Important peaks in the southwest Sispara/Bangitipal part of the park areSispara(height: 2,206 metres (7,238 ft))Anginda(height: 2,383 metres (7,818 ft)),Nadugani(height: 2,320 metres (7,612 ft)) andGulkal(height: 2,468 metres (8,097 ft)).

The park has a harsh environment with annual rainfall varying from 2010 mm to 6330 mm (79–249 inches), night temperature sometimes below freezing in the winter and wind speeds ranging up to 120 km/h (75 mph).[9]page 13

Fauna

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Indian red admiral

Severalthreatenedmammal species live here includingNilgiri tahr,Indian elephant,Bengal tiger,Nilgiri marten,Nilgiri langurandBonhote's mouse.Mukurthi is near the northern end of the range of the Nilgiri tahr. A three-day census in March 2007 estimated 200 tahrs in the park including 60 young ones sighted.[13]There are alsoleopard,bonnet macaque,sambar deer,barking deer,mouse deer,otter,jungle cat,small Indian civet,wild dog,jackal,black-naped hare,shrew,Malabar spiny dormouseandsoft-furred rat.

Avifauna consists mostly of hill birds including the threatenedNilgiri laughingthrush,Malabar whistling thrush,Eurasian woodcock,Nilgiri wood pigeon,black-and-orange flycatcher,Nilgiri flycatcher,grey-headed canary flycatcherblack bulbul,Indian white-eyeandNilgiri pipit.The predatoryblack-winged kite,common kestrelandblack eaglemay be seen in the grasslands.

The area is home to many species of point-endemics among reptiles such as the geckosdwarf gecko,Nilgiri salea (Salea horsfieldii) and theskink(Kaestlea bilineata) the snakeshorseshoe pit viper,checkered keelback,rat snake,Oligodon venustus,bronze-headed vine snakeand severalshieldtailsof whichPerrotet's shieldtailis the most common. Like reptiles, almost all species of amphibians here are endemic only to this region, except the widespread common Indian toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus); main species includeBufo microtympanumand many species oftree frogsincludingRaorchestes tinniens,Raorchestes signatus,Raorchestes ravii,Raorchestes thodai,Raorchestes primarrumpfi,Ghatixalus variabilisand thedancing frogMicrixalus phyllophilusand aquatic ones likeNyctibatrachus indraneiliandFejervarya nilagirica.[9]

Butterflies withHimalayanaffinity like theblue admiral,Indian red admiral,Indian fritillary,Indian cabbage whiteandhedge bluesare seen here. Some streams had been stocked with exoticrainbow troutin the past.[14]

Flora

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The area is home to numerous endemic plants particularly of thescapigerousannualImpatiensplants.Alchemilla indicaandHedyotis verticillarisare found only within or on the fringes of this park.

Rhododendrontree in shola

Rhododendrons,Rhododendron arboreumthe national flower of Nepal orRhododendron nilagiricum,[15] are seen throughout the grasslands and very large specimens are conspicuous around many sholas. Other common shola trees and shrubs among the 58 species found here include:Syzygium calophyllifolium,Daphniphyllum neilgherrense,Cinnamomum wightii,Vaccinium leschenaulti,Mahonia leschenaulti,Litseasp.,Lasianthussp.,Psychotriasp. andMichelia nilagirica.

Wild yellow raspberriesgrow on the edge of sholas and in disturbed soil along trails and roads

The edges of most sholas are lined with the shrubs:Gaultheria fragrantissima,Rhodomyrtus tomentosa,Rubussp.,Bergeris tinctoria,Eurya nitida,Strobilanthessp., andHelichrysumsp.

TheorchidsEria abliflora,Oberonia santapaui,Aerides ringens,Aerides crispaandCoelogyne odoratissima are found on the high west edge of the park. Among the grasslands are a plethora ofBrachycorythis iantha,Satyrium nepalense,Habenaria cephalotes,Seidenfia densiflora,Spiranthes sinensisandLiparis atropurpurea. The natural habitats of the park have been much disturbed by previously easy motor vehicle access through four entry points and[16]extensive commercial planting and natural spreading of non-nativeeucalyptusandwattle(Acacia dealbata,Acacia mearnsiiand other species). In addition there is one large, and several smaller hydro-electric impoundments in the area.[17]

Only 20% of the park area has more than a 50% chance of being used by tahr. If old commercial forests are removed and restored to their original grassland habitat, usable tahr habitat would increase to 60%.[18]

Management

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Mukurthi National Park is managed by the Tamil Nadu Department of Forestry with the main objective toconservethe endangered shola-grassland ecosystem and its endemic flora and fauna. The department operates an effective year round anti-poachingprogram with gun- and radio-equipped foot patrols operating from anti-poaching camps at Bangitappal, Nadugani, Western Catchment and Mukurthi Fishing Hut.

Grassland restoration from oldwattle forest

Prevention and control of destructivewildfireis achieved through creation of artificialfirebreaksin the form of hand-dug fire lines along ridges and cleared trek paths. Local fire watchers are employed for early detection and control during the dangerous December to April fire season. Invasive imported plant species, especiallywattle,Scotch broomandgorseare controlled and eliminated from the park through a phased, long-term program focused on restoration of the original biota.

Tourism is not a management objective, but the Forest Department does periodically conduct nature awareness and conservation programs for the public and some special interest groups through controlled visits to the Western Catchment and Avalanche areas of the park.

The Forest Department seeks to identify and acquire contiguous undisturbed crucial habitat areas for future inclusion in the park.[9]

Visitor information

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Management sign at Upper Bhavani entrance
Bangitappalrest house and surroundings

Casual tourism and commercial tour operation is not permitted. Tourist facilities are not available in the park. Special interest groups are sometimes permitted for supervised educational programs,trekkingandcamping.There are forest rest houses at Bangitapal, Avalanche, Pykara and some unfurnished trekking sheds.

A mostly downhill three-, four- or five-day trek through Mukurthi andSilent Valley National Parksstarts by driving 75 km from Udhagamandalam(Ooty)in 4 hours and a 1 km walk to overnight at Bangitapal. Walk 24 km through Mukurthi Park in 9 hours to overnight at Walakkad or overnight half-way at the new trekkers bungalow atSispara peakthen continue 12 km steep downhill the next day to Walakkad. Walk 18 km in 7 hours to overnight at Poochipara. Walk 8 km in 3 hours to Sairandhiri in Silent Valley, then take a park van out or overnight atSairandhriand trek 23 km to Mukkali village. A forest guide-cum-cook accompanies park visitors during all treks.[19][20] In some cases the guide may instruct visitors to bend down to drink straight from a stream like a deer and prohibit bathing in a stream so the silt at the bottom is not disturbed and because human body odour might affect the animals.[21]

Beginning in November 2007, the Forest Department has organised trekking programmes inside forest areas of Mukurthi Park with the objective to familiarise the public with their conservation efforts. The places covered by treks are Mudimund, Mukurthi Peak, Western Catchment, Bangitapal, Moyar, Anaikatti, Morganbetta, Avalanchi, Kolleribetta, Sispara and Silent Valley. Trek distances vary between 8 km and 60 km. Each group comprises up to 20 members. Guides, instructors, cooks, porters, tents and food are provided by the department. Trekkers have to bring rucksacks and sleeping bags. Application for trekking permits can be made to the range officer.[22]

The nearest airport is Coimbatore (140 km away). The nearest railway station is Udhagamandalam (45 km away). The best seasons are February to May and September to November.[23]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toMukurthi National Park.

References

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  1. ^Dogra, Rakesh Kumar (7 July 2006),Mukurthi National Park Management plan; 2004–2009(Draft ed.), Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu: Wildlife Warden, Mount Stuart Hill, The Protected Area part 1
  2. ^"Four natural and four cultural properties added to UNESCO's World Heritage List on Sunday", whc.unesco.org, 1 July 2012[1]
  3. ^Thyaagarajan or Thyagarajan,p. 70.
  4. ^Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", The Hindu Business Line, 8 July 2002.Ooty trek
  5. ^T. Jayadev,p. 12.
  6. ^Sutton,p. 6.
  7. ^abDogra (2006),MNP Mgt plan, 3.6.1, Legal status
  8. ^Ranganathan,pp. 45–47.
  9. ^abcdRakesh Kumar Dogra (April 2007), Seshan, Suprabha (ed.),Mukurthi Unforeseen Wilderness, A Compendium of Writings and Photographs on Mukurthi National Park,Tamil Nadu Forest Department, pp. 48 50
  10. ^Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Mukurthi – National Park. Retrieved 18 April 2007[2]
  11. ^Ahmed, AmeenRomantic MukurthiDeccan Herald, Bangalore. 21 January 2001.'Romantic Mukurthi'
  12. ^District Administration, Nilgiris (20 August 2007) National Informatics Centre, Nilgiris. Retrieved 2008/08/31Hills and Peaks
  13. ^(12 April 2007) "Nilgiri Tahr population healthy: census",The Hindu.Retrieved 18 April 2007"eco-sensitive zone"
  14. ^Shanker, K. (1996).Sholas and Grasslands.Sanctuary Asia Magazine, Vol. XVI, No.2retrieved April 18, 2007
  15. ^Shanker Kartik (2002)Nilgiris Floral ParadiseArchived10 November 2007 at theWayback MachineNilgiris, p65. Retrieved 17 February 2008
  16. ^Davidar, ERC, Distribution and Status of the Nilgiri Tahr Bombay Natural History Society 75(3): 815–844
  17. ^Rice, C G Dr (1984) US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, USA, "The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr",Tahr Foundation. Retrieved 17 April 2007"The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr"Archived28 September 2006 at theWayback Machine
  18. ^Sumithran, Stephen (1997) "Status and Ecology of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Mukurthi National Park, South India"Phd dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Retrieved 18 April 2007Nilgiri Tahr in the Mukurthi National Park
  19. ^Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain",Business Line,8 July 2002.Ooty trek
  20. ^Radhareddyh, Silent Valley Trek, Travelblog.com, 2007/01/18.Trek
  21. ^Vijayah T. Anantha 2008/03/23 Treks and tracks,The Hindu.Retrieved 2007/04/18[3]
  22. ^Dogra, Rakesh Kumar (11 January 2007)."Education and awareness programme of conservation –"(PDF).Press release.Office of the Wildlife Warden.Retrieved1 February2009.
  23. ^Tamil Nadu Forest DepartmentArchived21 February 2014 at theWayback Machine,National Parks, Mukurthi National Park. Retrieved 17 April 2007
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  • A Day in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve - A Lifescape To Experienceavailableon YouTube.
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