Mukurthi National Park

About the Mukurthi National Park:

• It is located in the western corner of Nilgiris Plateau in the state of Tamil Nadu and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• It is sandwiched between Mudumalai National Park and the Silent Valley National Park.
• It was established with the prime motive of conserving its keystone species – the Nilgiri Tahr.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Siteand was formerly known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
• It is also home to Mukurthi Peak (2,554m), the fourth highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills.
• 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.
• Vegetation:
• The majority of the landscape in the reserve is covered with shrubs and mountainous grasslands.
• The areas which are at an elevation and experience high rainfall are covered with sholas and lush green tropical grasslands.
• Flora:
• Sholas, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Helichrysum and Berberis tinctoria, Rhododendrons, Cinnamon, Mahonia, Satyrium, Raspberries etc.
• Fauna: Nilgiri tahr, Indian elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Bengal tiger and bonnet macaque etc.