Mudumalai Cottages

Mudumalai Cottages

Mudumalai , Mudumalai Cottages

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Mudumalai Cottages

INTRODUCTION OF MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state spread over 688.59 sq.km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and it plays an unique role by forming part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the first Biosphere Reserve in India, declared during 1986. It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North, and the Nilgiris Division on the South and East and Gudalur Forest Division on the South West, together forming a large conservation landscape for flagship species such as Tiger and Asian Elephant. Reception Centre is located at Theppakadu. The name Mudumalai means ” the ancient hill range”. Indeed, it is as old as 65 million years when Western Ghats were formed.

CLIMATE

The climate of Mudumalai is moderate. Mudumalai experiences cold weather during the month of December or the beginning of January and hot weather is experienced during the months of March and April.

LOCATION

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is about 240 Km from Bangalore, about 90 Km from Mysore, about 68 Km from Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and about 124 Km from Calicut by road. The reserve straddles the Ooty - Mysore interstate national highway (NH 181), roughly midway between the two cities and thus could be approached with equal facility either way. From Ooty, another approach is through extremely steep ghat road via Kalhatti having 36 hair-pin bends on a narrow road, but with a truncated distance of approximately 40 Km. The nearest railway stations to Mudumalai are Mysore, about 100 Km and Udhagamandalam about 68 Km by Hill track. The nearest airports are Mysore (90 Km), Calicut (124 km), Coimbatore (160 Km) and Bangalore (240 Km). The nearest town for medical facility, petrol bunks and with telephone networks are Masinagudi (7 Km) and Gudalur (18 Km). The nearest township from Karnataka is Gundalpet, about 32 Km from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

CLOSURE OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE THALAIKUNDAH TO KAKKANALLAH VIA KALHATTI

Considering the Danger involved in travelling on these roads at night and in the interest of public safety and the safety of wildlife, the Nilgiri District Administration has prohibited the driving of the motor vehicles on the above road from 9.00pm to 6.00am, for the vehicular traffic.

Likewise considering the safety of wildlife during night hours the Government of Karnataka also have restricted the night traffic on Gundalpet to Ooty road passing through Bandipur Tiger Reserve (NH 181) from 9.00pm to 6.00am.

The visitors are advised to plan their journey accordingly.

FOREST COVER

As per Forest Survey of India assessment (2009) the forest cover in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is

Very Dense Forest – 47.05 km2

Moderately Dense Forest – 214.98 km2

Open Forest – 56.16 km2

FLORA AND FAUNA

IMPORTANT FLORA & FAUNA

The Reserve has tall grasses, commonly referred to as “Elephant Grass”, Bamboo of the giant variety, valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc,. There are several species of endemic flora. Such a varied habitat is inhabited by a variety of animals which include Tiger, Elephant, Indian Gaur, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Common Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild Dog, Mangoose, Jungle Cat, Hyena, among others.

BIRDS

This reserve has got a wide variety of more than 260 species of birds. Eight percentage of bird species found in India are recorded in Mudumalai. This includes rare birds like Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Malabar laughing thrush, Frog mouths and a variety of woodpeckers. Hornbills play an important role in dispersal of seeds. Malabar whistling thrush, peacock and jungle fowl are the other important bird species found in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve .

IMPORTANT POINTS ON DO’S AND DONT’S

DO's

Abide by Tiger reserve rules, In accordance with Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
Entry into the Tiger Reserve with permission is allowed during the specified hours only.
Obtain entrance permission from Reception Range Office at Theppakadu before the safari.
Be aware of fraudulent private jeep safari, they won’t take you into the reserve. So don’t get cheated, always prefer forest department’s vehicle safari.
Keep your all senses open during the safari and avoid loud conversations.
It is advisable to wear clothes of colours which match the natural surroundings like khaki, olive green, and some other dull colours.
Dump wastes and plastics in dust bins placed around.
Be Calm and maintain silence while engaged in safari.
Follow up the instructions delivered by the drivers during Safari's.
Tiger reserve is not zoo, so don’t expect to see wildlife everywhere. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is breathtaking even in the scenery.
Wildlife sight-seeing is a matter of chance. In a reserve, don’t expect to see all the animals. Please don’t get disappointed by not seeing the tiger, leopard or other bug jungle rarity. You can happily observe all the smaller interesting animals, birds and plants.
The best you can take out of the tiger reserve when you leave is the happy memory of a trip well spent. So make the most of this visit and learn a little more about the world you are a part of.

DONT's

Don’t enter the park with weapons/explosives/crackers.
Do not carry any inflammable item with you during park safari.
Do not carry any kind of radio or musical item with you during the safari.
Consumption of alcoholic drinks and Smoking inside the reserve is strictly forbidden.
Dismounting & eating during safari is strictly not allowed.
Do not offer any eatable item to the birds or animals.
Do not chase or tease any animal or bird.
Do not get down from the vehicle. This is dangerous in the elephant habitat.
Polythene bags/Plastic bags, plastic articles like cups, plates, and pet bottles are banned in the Reserve.
Don’t carry any forest property with yourself as it will be considered as a criminal offence.
Entry on foot, campfires, music, cooking, and littering within the Reserve is prohibited. Avoid any form of pollution within the Tiger Reserve.
Use of spot lights, speeding, blowing of horn etc is prohibited. Shouting, teasing, chasing, feeding, and baiting of animals is prohibited.