Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary and national park in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in the country, and a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Project Tiger. It covers an area of 688.59 sq.km and hosts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, leopards, gaurs, deer, primates, birds, reptiles and butterflies. It also offers various eco-tourism activities such as safari rides, nature trails, camping and birdwatching. Visit during One day Trip Ooty local sightseeing package
Location of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state, at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It lies on the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills, about 240 km from Bangalore, 90 km from Mysore, 68 km from Ooty and 124 km from Calicut by road. It is bordered by Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala on the west, Bandipur National Park in Karnataka on the north, and Sigur Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu on the east.
Timing / Entry Fees Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is open for visitors from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm every day except Tuesdays. The entry fee for visiting Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is Rs. 15 for adults and Rs. 10 for children below 12 years of age. To carry a still camera or a digital camera, one has to pay an additional fee of Rs. 25 and to carry a video camera, the ticket price is Rs. 150.
How to Reach Mudumalai Tiger Reserve from City Centre
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve can be reached from different cities by various modes of transport, such as:
- By Air: The nearest airport to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is Coimbatore International Airport, which is about 160 km away. The airport has flights from major cities in India and abroad. From the airport, one can take a taxi or a bus to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is Udhagamandalam (Ooty) railway station, which is about 68 km away by hill track. The station is connected to Mettupalayam railway station by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Ooty Toy Train), a heritage train that runs on a meter gauge track and offers a scenic ride through the hills. From Ooty railway station, one can take a taxi or a bus to Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
- By Road: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is well connected by road to various cities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. There are regular buses that ply between Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Ooty, Coimbatore, Mysore, Bangalore, Calicut etc. One can also hire a taxi or a cab to reach Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
Things to Do / Must See Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is a paradise for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts. Some of the things to do and see at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve are:
- Safari ride: The best way to explore the wildlife of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is by taking a safari ride in an open-top van or a jeep. The safari ride takes about an hour and covers about 15 km inside the core area of the reserve. The safari ride offers a chance to spot various animals such as tigers, elephants, leopards, gaurs, deer, monkeys etc., as well as birds such as peacocks, hornbills, eagles etc.
- Nature trail: For those who want to experience the wilderness on foot, there are nature trails that lead through different habitats such as moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest and scrub jungle. The nature trails are guided by trained naturalists who explain the flora and fauna along the way. The nature trails take about two hours and cover about 5 km inside the buffer zone of the reserve.
- Camping: For those who want to spend a night under the stars in the midst of nature, there are camping facilities available at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. There are two camping sites, one at Theppakadu and one at Kargudi, which have tents, toilets, dining hall and kitchen facilities. The camping sites also have bonfire and cultural programs in the evening. The camping fee is Rs. 500 per person per night, which includes food and accommodation.
- Birdwatching: For those who are interested in avian diversity, there are more than 266 species of birds recorded in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Some of the common and rare birds that can be seen here are Malabar trogon, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar whistling thrush, black-and-orange flycatcher, Nilgiri flycatcher, Nilgiri wood pigeon, Nilgiri pipit, Nilgiri blue robin etc. The best time for birdwatching is from November to March.
Significance of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is a significant place for Indians, as it is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in the country, and a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Project Tiger. It is also a significant place for conservationists, as it hosts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including many endemic and endangered species. It is also a significant place for researchers, as it provides a natural laboratory for studying the ecology and behaviour of various species.
According to history, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1940 by the then Madras Presidency. It was later enlarged in 1977 and incorporated into the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in 1986. It was declared as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 2007 and notified as ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’ in 2008. It is managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department with the support of various NGOs and local communities.
FAQ’s
Q: When was Mudumalai Tiger Reserve established?
A: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1940.
Q: Why is Mudumalai Tiger Reserve called Mudumalai?
A: Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is called Mudumalai because it means ‘ancient hills’ in Tamil language
Conclusion
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary and national park in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in the country, and a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Project Tiger. It covers an area of 688.59 sq.km and hosts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, leopards, gaurs, deer, primates, birds, reptiles and butterflies.
It also offers various eco-tourism activities such as safari rides, nature trails, camping and birdwatching. It is a paradise for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts who can enjoy the wildlife, scenery and culture of the Nilgiris. It is also a significant place for Indians, as it is one of the oldest and largest protected areas in the country, and a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Project Tiger.
It is also a significant place for conservationists, as it hosts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including many endemic and endangered species. It is also a significant place for researchers, as it provides a natural laboratory for studying the ecology and behaviour of various species.
