Anamudi Shola National Park

Anamudi Shola National Park is a protected area spread over about 7.5 square kilometers in the Idukki district of Kerala, located in the southern Western Ghats. It comprises three Shola forests named Mannavan Shola, Idivara Shola, and Pullardi Shola and is part of the Anamalai sub-cluster, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The park is named after Anamudi peak, the highest peak in South India, which lies within its core area. It features a unique ecosystem of high-altitude shola forests and grasslands, characterized by dense patches of stunted trees with abundant lichens, mosses, and climbers reflecting the pure air and moist climate. Anamudi Shola hosts rich biodiversity, including rare and endemic species like Nilgiri Tahr, Indian gaur, leopards, tigers, sloth bears, elephants, and various birds such as Nilgiri wood pigeons and white-bellied treepies. The park is also important for watershed conservation, feeding rivers like the Pambar and Chinnar.

It is surrounded by other important protected areas like Eravikulam National Park and Mathikettan Shola National Park, providing habitat connectivity. The best time to visit is between September and March when the weather is cool and pleasant, although entry is regulated to protect the fragile ecosystem. The park is accessible from nearby towns like Munnar and is a valuable site for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and conservation efforts.