Kanyakumari Wildlife
Sanctuary, Kanyakumari
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is a
402.4 km2 (155.4 sq mi) protected area in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu South India declared in February
2008. The area is a tiger habitat. The virgin forests of Kanyakumari
District got transferred from Kerala to Tamil Nadu on the 1st November 1956 as
a result of the state reorganization. Kanyakumari Forest Division came into
existence from 1st April 1977, with the headquarters at Nagercoil. Government
Reserved Forests occupy an area of 50486 ha, i.e., 30.2% of the total
geographic area of the Kanyakumari District.
Kanyakumari Wildlife sanctuary with adjacent areas of Kalakkad
Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala State
constitutes the southernmost tip of Western Ghats. The natural vegetation of
this region represents biomes ranging from southern thorn forests, dry
deciduous, moist deciduous, semi evergreen forests to ever green hill sholas
with grassy downs. The tract is exceedingly rich in wildlife harbouring a
variety of animals. The avifauna, the reptilian and amphibian fauna of this
region are also rich and diverse.
The Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kanyakumari,
commonly known to the rest of the country as the southernmost tip of India.
This tip of the Indian peninsula is a unique geographic point as it is one of a
handful of places, if not the only, to be surrounded by all three of the
sub-continent's vast oceans – the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian
Sea. This, in combination with the fact that the sanctuary touches the southern
tip of the Western Ghats is cause for - albeit understandably – the distinct
and highly rare quality and combination of its biosphere.
Being surrounded by three major oceans has a direct and obvious
effect on its monsoon. The sanctuary receives extremely heavy rainfall of 1369
mm each year which is both unevenly and oddly distributed. Tropical wet
evergreen forests and southern thorn scrub forests are the extremes that form
the spectrum of vegetation in this sanctuary. The variation in forest type is
mainly due to the pattern of the monsoon. At the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
is a whopping 427 species of Indian plants, of which 123 are found in the state
and 62 are endemic to Tamil Nadu.
In Upper Kodaiyar and other craggy regions of the Tirunelveli
District, where the sanctuary lies, you will find a particularly interesting
plant called Hill arecanut. It is an endemic palm occurring in these locales.
In this category are also two other palms found in abundance - the
Arenga wightii and Poanaca docksonii. They yield a deadly brew that is locally
known as toddy. Toddy is simply an alcohol made out of the tender water of
these palms by fermentation; the toddy from these palms are glorified, relished
and sought after by the tribals in the area. In fact, an interesting fact of
the forests in Kanyakumari is that they are said to be more than 70 million
old. Now that’s called an age old area, which has been developed.
The Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is a crucial wildlife corridor
with exceptionally high biodiversity. Inevitably, it is home to several species
that are endangered, such as the Indian rock python, lion-tailed macaque, mouse
deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar deer, Indian bison and elephant.
Sadly, construction of hydel projects, encroachment, conversion of
forest to farmland, poaching and poisoning have cause many species like tigers,
panthers, black buck and deer to dwindle. Nonetheless, animal species that
continue to be commonly spotted at the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary are
bonnet macaque, jackal, Indian fox, leopard, small Indian civet, Indian
chevrotain, otter, sloth bear, large brown flying squirrel, pangolin and flying
fox among many others.
The Kanyakumari Sanctuary is simply fantastic for wildlife viewing
and nature walks; it is also a unique experience to see the meeting point of
the three main oceans. This is considered as one of nature's most wonderful
phenomena, the blending of their waters and sand; a must do for all who visit
the south of India and compelling in its own right to other travelers as well.
History
In due recognition of the tremendous biological potential, Kanyakumari
forest division was declared as Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary during 2002 vide
G.O.Ms.No.152 dated: 16.07.2002 with an extent of 45777.57 ha. Later in 2007
Kani tribal settlements, approach road to settlements and area leased out to
Arasu Rubber Corporation were excluded from the sanctuary and vide G.O. (Ms)
No.128 (E&F) dated 20.11.2007 and an area of 40239.55 hectares was declared
as Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary.
Location
Kanyakumari District is the southernmost tip of India with Kerala
on the north-west, Tirunelveli District in north-east, Arabian Sea in the
south-west, Bay of Bengal in the South east and Indian Ocean in the south.
Kanyakumari Forest Division is located between 77o10’-77o35’ east longitude and
8o5’ – 8o35’ north latitude.
The highest point is 1829.4 m at the tri junction of Mahendragiri,
Kalakad and Veerapuli Reserved Forests. Other important peaks are Mahendragiri
(1645.2 m) in Mahendragiri RF, Mottaichi peak (1590.4 m) and Varaittumudi
(1426.2 m) and Vanamuttimalai in Kilamalai RFs. The valleys and flat lands
between the spurs are accessible and contain valuable forests. At
Muthukuzhivayal there is a plateau about 16 KM long and 10 KM wide, at an
elevation of 1341 M
Geography
Kanyakumari district has a pleasant general climate. The climate
is greatly influenced by the south west and north east monsoon winds. Its
proximity of the sea and the dwindling heights of Western Ghats also affect the
weather of this district. In Kanyakumari rainfall is distributed over four
seasons, (a) South west monsoon i.e. during the months from June to September
(b) north-east monsoon i.e. during the months from October to December (c)
Winter i.e. during the months from January to February and (d) the hot weather
summer seasons. In the hill region the rainfall is uniformly distributed. The
maximum rainfall occurs during October and November. This district gets an
average annual rainfall of 1369.5 mm with 79.7 rainy days.
Ecological significance
The ecological significance of the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
is of paramount importance. The forests serve as a catchment area for 10
reservoirs namely Pechiparai, Perumchanni, Chithar-1, Chithar-II, Upper Kodaiyar,
Lower Kodaiyar, Kuthiyar, Chinna Kuthiyar, Mukkadal and Poigai
Anai.
These reservoirs irrigate an area of about 50,000 ha and feed
about 2,500 ponds and more than 500 Kms. lengths of channels. The
well-being of these water systems is closely related to the prosperity of the
farmers of the district as the economy of the district depends on
agriculture.
The rainwater due to precipitation in the reserve forest is
collected by hundreds of the hill streams. These streams drain into Kodaiyar,
Paraliyar, Pazhayar and Valliyar. Only if the reserve forests are
protected well, the water resources can be maintained properly.
Wildlife
The vegetation and flora of Kanyakumari sanctuary are exceptional
because of extraordinary variety of species occurring within a small area. Kanyakumari
Wildlife Sanctuary is floristically one of the richest areas in our country
harbouring not less than 3500 species of flowering plants. The IUCN has
identified 11 plant species as critically endangered, 12 species as endangered,
and 21 species as vulnerable. This indicates the fragile nature of
the ecosystem. However the floral diversity is one of uniqueness of the
forest.
The area is a wildlife corridor with high biodiversity, and in addition to tigers, is home to threatened species: Indian Bison, elephant, Indian Rock Python, Lion-tailed Macaque, Mouse deer, Nilgiri Tahr and Sambar deer.
Flora
Kanyakumari Forests though small in area has as many as 14 forest
types as far Champion and Seth (1968) classification.
The forests of this Division constitute the southern tip of the
Western Ghats forests. Various types of Forests from luxuriant Tropical Wet
Evergreen forests to Southern Thorn Scrub forests occur in this Division
because of diverse locality factors (edaphic and biotic) varying rainfall from
50 to 310 cm and elevations from Sea level up to 1829 M.
·
1A/C3 - Southern Hilltop
Tropical Evergreen Forests
·
1A/C4 - West Coast
Tropical Evergreen Forests
·
2A/C2 - West Coast Semi
Evergreen Forests
·
3B/C1(b) - Moist Teak
Forests
·
3B/C1(e) - Slightly Moist
Teak Forests
·
3B/C2 - Southern Moist
Mixed Deciduous Forests
·
5a/C1(b) - Dry Teak
Forests
·
5A/C3 - Southern Dry Mixed
Deciduous Forests
·
5/DS2 - Dry Savannah
Forests
·
6A/C2 - Carnatic Umbrella
thorn forests
·
6A/C1 - Southern Thorn
Forests
·
6A/Ds1 - Southern Thorn
Scrub
·
8A/C1 - Southern
Sub-tropical Hill Forests
·
8A/E1 - Ochlandra Reed
Brakes
Hilltop Grasslands are found in Veerapuli and Asambu Reserved
Forests near Shola patches.
Endemism:
In precipitous localities, bordering Tirunelveli district,
especially around Upper Kodaiyar Bentinckia conddappana, known as Hill
arecanut, an interesting endemic palm occurs. Along the depressions Arenga
wightii and Poanaca docksonii, two other palms, are found in plenty. The former
yields highly intoxicating toddy, which is much sought after by tribals.
Reed Brakes:
Ochlandra Reed Brakes (8A/E1) form an important and characteristic
forest type occurring in Veerapuli RF.
Rare and Endangered Plants:
In the Red Data Book, the Botanical survey of India had
categorized the present status of 427 Indian plants. Out of this, 123 species
occur in Tamil Nadu, and as many as 62 species are endemic to Tamil Nadu. 39 of
these occur in the Western Ghats.
Fauna
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary being a part of Western Ghats is
rich in wildlife with at least 30 types of mammals, about 100 species of birds
including 14 species of migratory birds and many species of fishes, reptiles
and amphibians. The presence of Tiger and Leopard though scanty lends credence
to the richness of biodiversity of the tract.
Its number is also very much reduced by human interference by way
of construction of hydel projects and large conversion of natural forests into
rubber et., plantation and encroachments and private estates. Poaching and
poisoning have accounted for reduction in number of animals like Tiger,
Panther, Elephant, Black Buck and Deer etc., Inspite of this a considerable
variety of wildlife can be seen in this division as follows.
Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur or Hanuman Langur, Nilgiri Langur,
Slender Loris, Tiger, Leopard or Panther, Jungle Cat, Small Indian Civet,
Mangoose, Jackal, Indian Fox, Dhole or Indian Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Otter,
Large Brown Flying Squirrel, Flying Fox, Indian Giant Squirrel, Indian
Porcupine, India Hare, Indian Elephant, Gaur or India Bison, Nilgiri Tahr,
Chital or spotted Deer, Black Buck or Indian Antelope, Sambar, Barking Deer,
Mousse Deer or India Chevrotain, Wild Boar, Pangolin.
Forests of Kanyakumari
Forests are the heritage of the nation. These are assets and
natural resources of the nation on which all forms of life depend and thrive.
The forests in Kanyakumari districts are verdant and virgin and said to be 75
million years old. Of the total district area of 1,67,130 hectares, forests
occupy an area of 50486 hectares which comes to about 30.2% of the total
district geographic area, which is next to Nilgiri district with (59 %) and
Dharmapuri District (38 %) in the State. The district is having 52 % of its
forests as dense forests.
Habitation
Tourist Information
The general climate of the district is pleasant. Both the south
west and north east monsoon winds, the proximity of the sea and the dwindling
heights of Western Ghats greatly influence the climate of this district. In
Kanyakumari rainfall is distributed over four seasons. (a) South west monsoon
(Jun-Sep) 37.6% and 33.7 rainy days (b) north-east monsoon (Oct-Dec) 37.9% and
26.5 rainy days (c) Winter (Jan-Feb) 2.7% and 2.7 rainy days and (d) the hot weather
summer seasons 21.7% and 16.8 rainy days. In the hill region the rainfall is
uniformly distributed in both monsoons and maximum rainfall occurs during
October and November. On the whole this district gets an average annual
rainfall of 1369.5 mm with 79.7 rainy days.
Eco Tourism
Kanyakumari district is blessed with the benevolence of nature
with the numerous rivers, mountains, streams, forests and seacoast. There is
great scope for promoting eco-tourism in the district as it is richly endowed
with pristine and diverse forests with rich variety of flora and fauna. The
following are some places of ecotourism value.
Biodiversity Park at Udayagiri
Fort:
The Udayagiri fort, with 22.50 hectares of area has
been under the control of the Forest Department for the past 15 years. It is
maintained as a park for the public with the help of Joint forest management
committee. The Forest Department has in the past planted the area with
species like teak, subabul, cassia neem etc and these trees have grown into a
good forest. Due to the protection given by the forest department natural
vegetation has also come up. Though it is not included in the sanctuary, it can
be developed as centre of awareness and interpretation.
Maruthuva Malai:
The Maruthuva Malai also known as the Marunthu Vazhum Malai – the
abode of medicinal herbs, forms part of the Western Ghats. It is believed
that the Maruthuva Malai is a fragment of the Sanjeevi Mountain which fell down
here, while it was carried by Hanuman from Mahendragiri to Srilanka for healing
the fatal wounds of Lakshmana. It stretches for more than a km, reaching a
height of 800 feet at the highest point. It is a place of religious and
cultural importance.
Suchindrum – Theroor
Bird Conservation Reserve:
It is the second Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu. It constitutes
a Network of ten ponds which are rich in birdlife. 90 Species of birds are
reported from this conservation reserve. It is a place of immense tourism and
educational values.
The Tamil Nadu Preservation of Private Forest Act, 1949 (TNPPF
ACT) is framed to prevent the indiscriminate destruction of private
forests and interference with customary and prescriptive rights therein and for
certain other purposes. It applies to private forests having a contiguous area
exceeding forests for the purposes of this Act, by notification, in the
District Gazette, but does not apply to reserved forests constituted under the
Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, and lands at the disposal of the Government as
defined in that Act.
A private forest exceeding 2 hectares in extent shall not cease to
be such by reason only of the fact that, in a portion thereof trees, shrubs or
reeds are felled or cut with or without the permission of the Committee or
lands are cultivated, or rocks, roads, tanks, rivers or the like exist nor
shall the area of such forest cease to be contiguous by reason only of the
existence of all or any of the aforesaid circumstance.
A Committee for the purpose of this Act is constituted as follows:
(a) District Collector as Chairman of the Committee;
(b) District Forest Officer having jurisdiction over the district;
(c) Tahsildar having jurisdiction over the area;
(d) Executive Engineer of the Agriculture Department in charge of
soil conservation;
(e) Personal Assistant (General) to the Collector of the district,
who shall be the Secretary of the Committee.
Facts
Season: October to February
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 06:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Mobile Coverage(Y/N): Yes
Transportation: By Road Up To Kanyakumari
Terrain: Hilly
Nearest Town: Kanyakumari
Nearest Petrol Bunk: Kanyakumari
Coordinates: 8.393922, 77.370844
Address: District Forest Officer, Kanyakumari Division, 175, College Road,
Municipality Campus, Nagercoil - 629 001, Tamil Nadu.
Contact Information: (04652) 232205, 9445468537, 9445468538
Area: 402.4 Sq.Kms.
Entry Fee: Adult: Rs. 10/- Child: Rs. 5/-
Contact
District Forest
Officer
Kanyakumari Division,
175, College Road, Municipality Campus,
Nagercoil - 629 001
Phone: 04652-232205
Connectivity
By Road: Nagercoil / Kanyakumari is well connected by buses.
By Train: Nagercoil / Kanyakumari is well connected by train.
By Air: Nearest airport is Trivandrum (67KM from Nagercoil)
