MUKURTHI
NATIONAL PARK - ENVIRONMENT
News: Combing operations conducted in
areas surrounding Mukurthi National Park in the Nilgiris
What's
in the news?
●
Vigil has been stepped up following the
poaching of a tiger by a group of poachers from North India in Avalanche
earlier this year and following the suspected poisoning of at least one tiger
in Emerald a few weeks ago.
Mukurthi
National Park:
●
Mukurthi National Park is a protected area
located in the state of Tamil Nadu,
India.
●
It is situated in the Nilgiri Hills, which is a part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
●
The park was named after its highest peak, Mukurthi Peak, which
stands at an elevation of around 2,554 meters (8,379 feet).
●
The national park spans an area of
approximately 78.46 sq.km (30.29 square miles) and was established in 1990 to
protect its keystone species, the
Nilgiri Tahr.
○
Nilgiri tahr is an endangered mountain
ungulate endemic to the Western Ghats.
●
Mukurthi National Park is characterized by
rolling hills, valleys, grasslands, and shola forests.
Flora:
●
Mainly
Shola grasslands and shrublands at a high altitude.
●
Rhododendrons,
raspberries, Cinnamon and black berries are in the majority.
●
Endemic plant species like Alchemilla indica and Hedyotis verticillaris.
●
It has many shrubs such as Gaultheria
fragrantissima, Helichrysum, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense etc.
●
Other plant species are Mahonia, Satyrium,
eucalyptus, Hedyotis verticillaris, Impatiens plants etc
Fauna:
Mammals:
●
The main species of Mukurthi National Park
is Nilgiri Tahr.
●
Apart from Nilgiri Tahr, park is also home
to endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asian Elephant.
●
Other mammal species are Sambar, Leopard,
panthers, Nilgiri Marten, Barking Deer, Nilgiri Langur; jackals etc.
Birds:
●
Malabar Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Wood
Pigeon, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Parrots, Vultures,
Nilgiri Pipit and other migratory birds.
Reptiles:
●
Horseshoe Pit Viper, Rat Snake,
Bronze-headed Vine Snake.
Rivers:
●
Pykara
and Kundah rivers flow through the park along with several
perennial streams that originate in the park and drain into the Bhavani Puzha.