Mukurthi National Park

• Tamil Nadu Forest Department has stepped up vigil around Mukurthi National Park in Nilgiris to curb poaching.

ABOUT MUKURTHI NATIONAL PARK

• It is located in the northwest corner of Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats.
• It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley.
  • Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first Biosphere reserve of India and is a UNESCO world heritage site.
• It is also home to Mukurthi Peak (2,554m), the fourth highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills.
• Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park along with several perennial streams that originate in the park and drain into the Bhavani Puzha.
• Flora includes montane grasslands and shrublands on a high altitude with shola forests scattered around along with Rhododendron, raspberries and black berries etc.
• The main faunal species of Mukurthi National Park is Nilgiri Tahr (IUCN red list – Endangered). Other species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Sambar, Leopard, panthers, Nilgiri Marten, Barking Deer, Nilgiri Langur; jackals Asian Elephant are also found.