MATHIKETTAN SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

 

MATHIKETTAN SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MATHIKETTAN SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

    The Mathikettan Shola National Park falls in Idukki district in Udumbanchola Taluk of Poopara village with an extent of 1281.7419 hectares. Mathikettan Shola National Park is the abode of several endemic species of flora and fauna. The altitude ranges between 1200-1984 m. The elevation increases from west to east and the highest points is Kattumala, which is located in the eastern border of the Mathikettan Shola National Park adjoining Tamil Nadu. The forest is seen as a continuous patch from 1200m up to 1500m above which it is seen as small patches dispersed among the grasslands. The area is drained by Panniyar River. Southwest monsoon and North East monsoons are very rich in Mathikettan Shola National Park. The coldest months are December and January when the minimum temperature inside forests fall up to 9 C even at lower elevations. The temperature varies within a minimum of 9°C (December) to a maximum of 30°C (April). There are 4-5 dry months, spanning between December and March. The clear blue sky, clean air, stretch of green meadows and the thick foliage teeming with flora and fauna makes it a dream destination for tourists whether they come for a holiday, for an adventure or just to be with nature.

HISTORY AND FORMATION OF MATHIKETTAN SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

    Mathikettan part of the Cardamom Hill Reserve (CHR), notified in the Travancore Government Garette dated the 24 August 1897, wherein the area was constituted as a Reserve Forest under section 18 of Regulation 11 of 1068. Subsequently various Government orders / rules were issued for assigning the Cardamom Hill Reserve area for cardamom cultivation, as well as regarding the control over the land and tress. The provision contained in GO(MS) 84/58 Rev. dated the 9" August 1958 were being followed for the management of the Cardamom Hill Reserve area, thereby control over the land rested with the Revenue Department, and control over the tree growth with the Forest Department. Hence there was a dual control over the Cardamom Hill Reserve areas. Subsequently, vide GO (MS) No. 328/2002/RD dated the 17 October, 2002. Government have transferred 1281.7419 hectares of the said land to the administrative control of the Forest Department. Considering the unique nature of the Shola forests in Mathikettan and its importance as an elephant corridor, the State Wildlife Advisory board had recommended to declare the area as a National Park.

    Government found it necessary to declare the area as a National Park for protecting its ecological, fauna, flora and geo-morphological wealth. Therefore, the Government decided to declare its intention to constitute the said area as a National Park.

FLORA & FAUNA OF MATHIKETTAN SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

    The dominant trees area Bhesa indica, Calophyllum austro-Indicum, Syzygium gardneri, Chionanthus ramiflorus, Litsea wightiana, ete. The National Park provides an excellent habitat for a wide variety of mammals, butterflies, reptiles and birds. The important mammals found in the Mathikettan Shola National Park are elephant, gaur, wild boar, sambar, common langur, wild dog and jungle cat.

LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY

    The Mathikettan Shola National Park is accessible from Kochi (110km) and Madurai (120 Km) airports along main roads. The nearest railway station in Kerala is Aluva (120 Km) and Tamil Nadu is Theni. The nearest towns are Munnar and Nedumkandam. N.H. 49 is near to the National Park and hence the accessibility is good. Three streams namely Uchilikuth Puzha, Mathikettan puzha and Nadar, being the tributaries of Panniyar originate from these hill ranges.