The only place in Tamil Nadu with tigers, Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) includes two sanctuaries. Lying close to one another, Kalakkad Sanctuary and Mundanthurai Sanctuary make up this tiger reserve and spread over an area of 895 sq. km. Tucked into the beautiful Southern Western Ghats, KMTR is part of Tirunelveli District and Kanyakumari District. The second-largest protected area in Tamil Nadu, it is a complete settlement with colonies, reservoirs and tea and coffee plantations. It is a beautiful region, which includes Karayar, Upper Dam, Servalar and Upper Kodayar reservoirs. All of these lie inside KMTR. The region is home to five Kani Tribal habitations. Within 5 km radius of the sanctuary there are 145 hamlets situated where about 100000 people reside.

Home to a large variety of flora and fauna, KMTR has about 150 endemic plants and 77 mammal species. There are about 33 varieties of fish and 37 amphibians here. The forest is also home to 81 reptiles and 273 birds and 77 mammal species. There is a variety of animals here including tigers, leopards, jungle cat, wild dogs, elephants and sambars. There are also wild pig, mouse deer, sloth bear and lion-tailed macaques here. You can also spot the common langur and giant squirrels here.

History

Created in 1988 by bringing together Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary, KMTR was the 17th tiger reserve of India. KMTR was declared the 17thTiger Reserve in India in 1988. In fact, this sanctuary has also been identified as a Type-1 Tiger Conservation Unit (TCU) and it represents tropical moist evergreen forests across the world.

About the Sanctuary

KMTR is part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve that is managed by the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in association with one another. The International Union for Conservation of Nature also considers this reserve as a centre of biodiversity and endemism in India.Safe haven for tigers, this reserve is also a conservation area where medicinal plants thrive. Planted in the Mundanthurai Range, some of the medicinal plants grown here include Hibiscus, Emblica, Pomagranade, Tulsi and Vilvam. During 2001 to 2006, about 36,000 plants were distributed to people free of cost. Seedlings were also planted in the neighboring regions. Nambikoil nursery has also been established this region to grow plants such as Emblica, Neem, Vettiver and Naval.

Some other interesting plants grown in the region include Sarcandra, varieties of ferns and trees. A rare orchid that goes by the name druryi is also grown here. This region is also the only place in South India where the broad leaved conifer tree Nageiawallichiana grown.

Species

KMTR is home to a vast variety of mammals, birds and reptiles. While the tiger is the most important carnivore of the region, there is also a good population of panthers here.Herbivores found in this region include elephants, sambar and deer. You will also be able spot the wildbore, porcupine, squirrels and hare. While gaur, Nilgiri tahr and cheetah are also found here, their population is precious. The Lion tailed macaque found here is also an endangered species.

There is a rich variety of reptiles found here are well, which includes the gorgeous python and king cobra. This sanctuary also has a good population of whip snakes, vipers and common krait.

One can spot big and small birds such as quails, the Grey Francolin, spurfowl, junglefowl, peafowl, goose and duck here.

How to Reach

By Road

It is easy to get to KMTR by road from neighboring areas like Thirukarangudi and Kalakkad. They are about 50 km away from the District Headquarters Tirunelveli. Most buses from Tirunelveli to Mundanthurai or Upper Kodayar cross the Tiger Reserve.

By Rail

Tirunelveli is the closest railway station. It is 50 km away from Mundanthurai and 45 km away from Kalakad.

By Air

One can get to Mundanthurai or Kalakkad from either Trivandrum Airport or Madurai Airport.

Visitor Information

Considered a super hotspot of biodiversity, KMTR is a rich center with its diverse floral and wildlife. Part of the Western Ghats, this tiger reserve is also a mega centre of endemism in India. Agasthiarmalai, which lies within the reserve, is also a centre of plant diversity and endemism in India.

Other Attractions

Apart from visiting Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, there are some other interesting things to in this region as well. There are three important waterfalls here that attract a large number of tourists every year—Agasthiyar Falls, BanatheerthumF alls and Manimuthar falls. One can visit these places for a picnic with friends or to enjoy natural beauty. Religious tourism is also big here because of the many temples in the area such as SorimuthuIyyanarkoil, Nambikoil and Golaknath Temple.

This is a hilly region that also attracts a lot of adventure tourists for trekking purposes.