The Mundanthurai tiger reserve is situated in the Southern Western Ghats in the Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli Districts of Tamil Nadu.
History
By combining the Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary of 567Km2 and the Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary of 251Km2 , the Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve was initiated in the year 1988. Before that, both these Sanctuaries were functioning separately till 1988 from 1962.
This combination of both the Sanctuaries with an area of nearly 895Km2, serves as the visual treat to the wildlife lovers and the photographers. For the fiscal year, 2010-2011, with a cost of Rs.1943300, the “Project Tiger” continuation got the approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
Waterfalls in Mundanthurai
In this site, lakhs of tourists come every year to visit the natural habitat of animals and plants. As a source of attraction to them, there are three main waterfalls. They are Agasthiyar Waterfalls, Banatheertham falls and the Manimuthar falls. The Banatheertham Falls joins the Karayar Dam and the Manimuthar Falls lies in the Ambasamudram range.
Special Features
This was the 17th Tiger Reserve got declared in India. In Tamil Nadu, this site is the second largest protected area. In the world, this is categorized under the Type-1 Tiger conservation Unit (TCU) which shows the tropical moist evergreen forests.
There are main Dams in this area, like the Lower Dam, Servalar, Karaiyar, Ramanadi, Kodaiyur, Manimuthar and Kadana Nathi which ensures the perennial flow of the rivers in this area. This Sanctuary is also part of the inter-state Agaisthyamala Biosphere Reserve. Here 14 rivers and streams, use this place as a catchment area. Some rivers from this catchment area, provides the water supply to many villages .
Things to see
The Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve consists of 37 amphibians, 81 reptiles, 150 endemic plants, 33 fishes, 77 mammal species and the 273 birds. Then the Agastya Mala Hills in the centre of the Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, serves as one among the 5 centers of Biodiversity and Endemism in our Country.
There are various types of forests like the Tropical Wet Ever Green Forest, Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest, Thorn Forest and Tropical West Coast. So it serves as the one among the richest biodiversity in the world. In this place, the various types of land like the open grassland, valleys, swamps, parklands, flat land and Nullas are found.
Restrictions
- When you go to this site, you must carry the items like the towel, soap, mosquito repellants and the flashlight.
- Do not wander inside the Sanctuary without informing the Officers or their assistants, since this site is a Tiger home.
- In this place, there will be no network signal for your mobile phones. So check the area in which you get the signal.
- Do have an information Pamphlets from the Office in Ambasamudram.
Transport facilities
To visit this Sanctuary, first you can go either to the Kanyakumari or Tirunelveli , then you can opt a road transport to reach this site. Many buses are available for Mundanthurai from Tirunelveli. For reaching the Kanyakumari and Tiruneveli, the visitors can opt the Train, since many trains are available to these stations from many parts of the Tamil Nadu.
Best Time
The best time to see this site, is from October to January, due to the climate here.
Location: Kanyakumari and Tiruneveli District, Tamil Nadu.
Timings: Open from October to Summer seasons
Best time for Visit: October to January.
Total Area – The total area covered by the Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is 895 Km2.