Key Highlights
- Spans roughly 344.44 km² across four hill ranges in Kerala.
- Harbors iconic megafauna such as Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, gaurs and diverse avifauna.
- Forms a core segment of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, linking with Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai parks.
- Participates in the national Project Elephant and offers regulated elephant‑riding experiences.
- Home to several indigenous tribal groups, making it a cultural as well as ecological hotspot.
Detailed Insights
The sanctuary, inaugurated in 1973, occupies the undulating terrain of Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat and Tholpetty. Its dense evergreen canopy receives between 3,000 mm and 4,000 mm of rainfall annually, creating a moist microclimate that sustains both common and threatened species. A 2017‑18 forest‑department survey recorded 75 Bengal tigers within its bounds, representing the highest tiger concentration in Kerala (approximately 43 % of the state’s total). Apart from the charismatic mammals, the area supports a rich bird community, notably the Indian peafowl, and a plethora of plant species, some of which are classified as rare or endangered. The sanctuary’s strategic position within the larger Nilgiri landscape facilitates genetic exchange among tiger populations across state borders, reinforcing its role as a pivotal wildlife corridor.
Key Concepts
- Biodiversity hotspot: A region that harbors an exceptionally high number of endemic species while facing significant habitat loss.
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: A UNESCO‑designated ecological zone that integrates protected areas across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to conserve the Western Ghats’ unique flora and fauna.
- Project Elephant: An Indian government initiative launched in 1992 aimed at safeguarding elephant habitats, mitigating human‑elephant conflict, and promoting research.
- Tribal communities: Indigenous peoples such as the Paniyas, Kurubas, Adiyans, Kurichiyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans, whose traditional livelihoods are intertwined with forest ecosystems.
- Tiger density: The number of tigers per 100 km², a critical metric for assessing the health of a tiger reserve.