Vallanadu Wildlife
Sanctuary, Thoothukudi
Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area of
Tamilnadu in South India created for the protection of blackbuck antelope. Located
on an isolated hillock in Vallanadu Village of Srivaikundam Taluk, it is the
southernmost place in India where a natural population of blackbuck exists.
Vallanadu is the southernmost place in India where a natural
population of Blackbuck exists. The Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is an
isolated hillock with scrub forest in Thoothukudi Revenue District situated on
eastern side of Tirunelveli – Tuticorin highway. A learned man would
immediately think how the Blackbuck – dweller of plains ended up in hillock
would. The whole plain area of Tamilnadu used to have large number of
Blackbucks in the 19th century. The developmental pressures, poaching and
agriculture has cornered them to four places now – Guindy National Park in
Chennai; Mudumalai sanctuary near Masinagudi; Point Calimere sanctuary in
Nagapattinam; and Vallanadu in Tuticorin.
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is a scrub forest area that is
spread over 16.41 sq km. This sanctuary is situated in the Thoothukudi
District. Thoothukudi District is situated in the extreme southeastern corner
of Tamil Nadu. It is surrounded by the districts of Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar,
and Ramanathapuram, and southeast by Gulf of Mannar and on the west and
south-west by Tirunelveli District. The city is also known as "Pearl
City". Thuthukudi is a seaport city, which serves southern Tamil Nadu,
including the inland cities of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli. It is one
of the oldest cities in India.
Much of the Tamil Nadu Sanctuaries within the tropical
climate experiences hot and humid weather. There is abundant rainfall
due to the active vertical uplift of air that takes place there, and during
certain periods, thunderstorms can occur every day. Nevertheless, this belt of
forests still receives considerable sunshine, and with the excessive rainfall,
provides ideal growing conditions for luxuriant vegetation.
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary can be visited throughout the year.
Located in the South Deccan Plateau, Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary
is primarily a dry deciduous forest with a vast population of hardy vegetation.
You will find flora species such as Dalbergia multiflora and Dichrostachys
cinerea along with Acacias Albizia amara and the Zizyphus sp. There are also
some interesting species that come about as undergrowth. These include the
Azadirachta indica, Carissa carandus and Euphorbia Acalypha fruticosa.
While the sanctuary is most popular for its population of Black
bucks, one can also find the spotted deer, Jungle cat, monkeys and black naped
hare here. It’s also the place to spot macaques, Wild cat, mongoose, vipers and
rat snakes. Avian population found here includes elegant species like peacock,
heron and stork along with smaller birds such as grey partridges, quails,
cuckoos and hawk eagle. It is home to more than 100 varieties of birds.
History
Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary is often called the scrub forest
because the trees here are not allowed to grow very high. Home to evergreen and
deciduous trees, they are kept short to make it easy for antelopes to graze on
them. This happens because of the large grazing population as well as the
consistent drought-like conditions and high levels of heat, both of which don’t
allow plants to grow.
With the spread of human civilization in this area, it was
important to protect their existence, which was increasingly under danger. The
Antelope cervicapra or black buck as it is popularly called was endangered.
This resulted in the establishment of Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary to protect
them. The atmosphere of this region is suitable for the growth of these
antelopes. They are able to live longer and regenerate here. The sanctuary is
also home to a large variety of mammals such as jungle cats, mongooses and
spotted deer. There is also a large and beautiful avian population.
In the 19th century, the plains of Tamil Nadu region used to have
a large population of blackbucks. With urban development, agricultural growth
and poaching, the antelope population is now concentrated in four places –
Guindy National Park, Mudumalai Sanctuary, Point Calimere Sanctuary and
Vallanadu.
General Information
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is in a hill area lying between Tirunelveli-
Thoothukudi Main Road. You can enjoy sightseeing of picturesque hills and
forests in the area.
A wildlife lover and photographer's dream destination, Vallanadu
Black Buck Sanctuary is a true blessing for nature lovers with its unique flora
and fauna. The sanctuary is the southernmost place in India which is an abode
of Blackbuck (Antelope Cervicapra).
This wildlife destination in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) District in Tamil Nadu has
been developed in order to conserve and protect the Blackbuck now included in
the Endangered Species List. Spread over an area of 1,641 hectares amidst the
Vallanadu and Kurumalai hills, Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is an isolated
hillock with scrub forests, open grasslands interspersed with tall grass or
bushes.
Fact & Figures
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Location
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Vallanadu village of Srivaikundam Taluk of Thoothukudi District
at Tirunelveli
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Area
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1641 ha.
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Forest type
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6A/DSI Southern Thorn Forests
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Fauna found
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Blackbuck, Spotted deer, Macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose,
Black-naped hares, etc.
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Annual rainfall
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758.0 mm
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Nearest airport
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Tuticorin 25 Km away
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Nearest Railway station
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Tirunelveli Junction – 16 Km away
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Best season
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Throughout the year
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Accommodation
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Hotels available at Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.
|
|
For greater details
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The District Forest Officer,
Collectorate complex,
Tirunelveli – 627 008.
Phone No – 04622-500778
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Location
The Sanctuary is located in Vallanadu Village of Srivaikundam
Taluk of Thoothukudi District in Tamil Nadu at Tirunelveli – Thoothukudi road
at the distance of 16 kilometers away from Tirunelveli Town.
Latitude 80 39’45’’ North to 80 44’00’’ North Longitude 770
54’ 45’’ East to 770 57’ 10’’ East
Flora
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary in the hilly areas of Thoothukudi
district (Tamil Nadu). Thoothukudi is situated in the extreme southeastern
corner of Tamil Nadu. It is bounded on the north by the districts of Tirunelveli,
Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram, on the east and southeast by Gulf of Mannar
and on the west and southwest by the district of Tirunelveli.
Vallanad and Kurumalai hills are important hills in
the area. The Vallanadu range of hills forms an abundant backdrop to the
Vallanadu sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread over 1,641 hectares around these
hills.
The dominant forest type in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is that
of Scrub Forests. In scrub forests the landscape is dominated by short,
drought resistant pine or scrub oak trees that grow 1 to 3 meters tall. Scrub
forests are characterized by having mild winters with abundant rainfall,
followed by very dry summers. During the dry summer months the majority of
plant life remains dormant. Both deciduous and evergreen trees are found in
scrub forests.
Scrub forests are primarily located near the equator in very
arid regions like some parts of South India. The plant species found in scrub
forests of Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary vary. However, the climate and soil
conditions are similar in scrub forests throughout India.
Many of the plant species in scrub forests have adapted to survive
in drought and fire. These plants have hard, waxy leaves that help the plant
retain moisture.
There is abundant rainfall due to the active vertical uplift of
air that takes place there, and during certain periods, thunderstorms can occur
every day. Nevertheless, this belt of forests still receives considerable
sunshine, and with the excessive rainfall, provides ideal growing conditions
for luxuriant vegetation.
Pines are evergreen. The bark pines are thick and scaly. The
branches are produced in a tight spiral. Many pines produce just one coil of
branches each year, from buds at the tip of the new shoot, but others produce
two or more whorls of branches per year. The new spring shoots are
light-colored and point upward at first, then later darken and spread outward.
These offer foresters of the Tamil Nadu Sanctuaries a means to evaluate
fertility of the soil and strength of the trees.
The most common trees that are found here are the Jackfruit, Betel
Nut Palm, Jamun and Mangoes. The shrubs cover the layer closer to the ground,
followed by the short structured trees and then the tall variety. Beautiful
fern and varieties of orchids grow on the trunks of the trees
The forest type available here in the sanctuary area is 6A/DSI
that is Southern Thorn Scrub. The species composition as furnished below is
mostly of thorny hardwood and xerophytes.
Dalbergia multiflora, Dichrostachys cinerea, Acacia latronum, Acacia
planifrons, Albizia amara, Zizyphus Species and a few Azadirachta indica,
Dodonia viscosa, Carissa carandus, Pterolobium indicum and Euphorbia Acalypha
fruticosa, Ocimum sanctum, species form the under growth.
Fauna
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary is situated in the Thoothukudi
District, Tamilnadu, India. Diverse and colorful wildlife exists in the natural
surroundings of this sanctuary, which include Blackbuck, Spotted deer (It
is the most commonly found member of the deer family in India. It can be seen
across the entire country), Macaques, Jungle cat (small Asiatic
wildcat), Mongoose (In appearance they are cat like animals and prey on
snakes and rodents), wild hares, and much more.
Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, as the name suggests, is devoted to
the protection and conservation of Blackbucks. Blackbuck (Antelope
cervicapra) is the only representative of the antelope family in India.
Due to extensive poaching and habitat loss, blackbuck populations have been
reduced drastically. At the beginning of twentieth century, thousands of
blackbuck could be seen in several parts of India. But today they exist in very
few areas, mainly due to heavy poaching and habitat loss. To protect Blackbucks
they have been declared as endangered species, and have been included in
Schedule I of Indian Wildlife Act.
Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose and wild
hares are the fauna that can be seen in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, in
plenty. The diet of the black buck consists mostly of grasses, although it does
eat pods, flowers and fruits too. The maximum life span of Blackbucks is 16
years and the average is 12 years.
The Spotted Deer is the most common of the deer family in
India. It is found across the entire country except in the extreme northern
regions. They are move in large herds of 30 - 50 females with a few stags. They
grow to a height of approximately 90 cm and weigh up to 85 kgs. Their life
expectancy ranges from 20 - 30 years. Spotted Deers are one of the favourite
prey species of predators such as tigers and leopards, they give birth to a
single fawn at a time, but their population is quite abundant. Their diet
consists of all kinds of vegetation and they also eat the antlers that they
shed, for their rich nutrients.
Indian Mongooses are native to Southeast Asia. They have long
bodies, short legs and small rounded ears. Males are larger than females. The
structure of the teeth and feet of Indian mongooses reveal the diet. The small
Indian Mongoose has teeth used to cut flesh. Their feet have four or five
digits each having a long claw for digging. Most mongooses feed on small
vertebrates, insects and other invertebrates, and occasionally fruits. In the
Zoo they are fed dead chicks and dog chow.
Jungle cat in India and South East Asia inhabits a good range
of habitats like the tropical deciduous and evergreen forest. However, the
jungle cat is not found in the denser tropical rain forests. The jungle cat is
not a shy creature and can be often found close to human habitation, hunting in
crop fields and plantations for small rodents in Sanctuaries.
The jungle cat can be distinguished from other wild cat species
within its range by its long legs and uniform coat colour, which ranges from
sandy yellow to reddish brown
Black buck, Monkeys, Wild cat, Mongoose, Black naped Hare, Scaly
Ant eater- Pangolin, Viper, Rat snake, Peacock, Heron, Stork, Grey partridges,
Jungle Craws, Common quails, Pied crested cuckoo, Crested hawk eagle, Black
winged kite, Curlew, Lapwing, Nightjar, Sparrows, Horned owl, and other nearly
100 species of birds are found in the area.
The Blackbuck population is around 20-40. The thick acacia growth
makes it difficult to assess the exact numbers. The Blackbucks have regular
habit of coming out of the scrubs and graze in wastelands on the eastern side
of the sanctuary.
Peafowl, heron, stork, grey partridges, jungle crow,
common quails, pied crested cuckoo, crested-hawk eagle, black-winged kite, curlew, lapwing, nightjar, sparrows, horned owl, and nearly 100 other
species of birds are found in the area.
The sanctuary is a great place for bird watchers. Ornithologists
have identified many species of birds. It is advisable for bird enthusiasts to
hire a bird guide who knows the area and about the habitats and behaviour of
the bird population
In addition to these attractive animals like Blackbuck, Spotted
Deer, Macaques, Jungle cat, Mongoose, wild hares, a large number of species of
birds can also be spotted in the nearby areas. A major attraction just 22 km
northwest of Thoothukudi is Mayura Thottam. It is a peacock
farm situated at Ottapidaram. Mayura Thottam is spread over an area of 55
acres. The garden is filled with coconut and guava trees, and many other
plants. The peacocks have made this farm their home and the birds come here
regularly for breeding. You can catch the glimpses of different variety of
birds during the months of October and November. Peacock dance, which is a
common phenomenon during this period, is a splendid sight to catch.
Ottapidaram can be reached by rail from Vanchimaniyachi (12 km)
and also from Thoothukudi railway station (22 km). The farm is 130 km from
Madurai and 68 km from Tirunelveli.
The particular birds of this sanctuary are: - Whistling
Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker,
Rose Ringed Parakeet, and Black Eagle.
Emerald Doves are secretive and shy. Thus, although they are
quite common in Vallanadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, they are rarely seen.
Emerald Doves feed on fallen fruit and seeds like grass seeds,
figs and bamboo. They also eat termites. Emerald Doves destroy the seeds that
they eat and don’t play a major role in plant dispersal.
Emerald Doves usually forage on the ground, under tree cover.
Sometimes, they move onto open grassland to forage, but rush back into the
undergrowth at the hint of danger. Emerald Doves forage alone, or in pairs.
When they are drawn to a food-rich area, they maintain a small feeding
territory.
Indian Ring neck Parakeet, is also called
the Rose-ringed Parakeet has the distinctive feature of a colored collar
going around the head in the males, or a marked stripe running through the
chin.
In the wild, Indian Ring neck Parakeets eat an assortment of seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and nectar.
In the wild, Indian Ring neck Parakeets eat an assortment of seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and nectar.
Range Maps shows areas in Vallanadu Blackbuck
Sanctuary or Tamil Nadu, inhabited by a particular bird. This is helpful
in eliminating similar appearing species. Range maps also tell when the species
are in the area. Some birds are year round residents in this sanctuary, some
are found only in the summer or winter, some pass though during migration to
other parts of Tamil Nadu or India or maybe even overseas. Through the use of
different symbols and colors, range maps can tell a visitor about these things.
Visitor information
The climate is hot throughout the year. The rainfall and rainy
days are very less. The area is bushy and not very accessible. The Blackbuck
can be seen around only during early morning and late evening hours at
specified advantage points. Watch tower and temporary shelters are available in
the sanctuary.
In 2007 Rs. 7 lakh, earmarked under the Centre's "Development
of Sanctuaries" scheme will be spent to repair fencing, increase the
height of a watchtower by 14 metres, improve the water supply and erect
awareness boards. Also, fruit-yielding tree saplings will be planted to attract
more birds.
Accommodation
The important town in the vicinity of the Sanctuary is
Tirunelveli, which has all facilities for hotel accommodation etc. Frequent bus
and taxi services are also available from Thoothukudi to Tirunelveli.
Government Circuit House is available at Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi. Tamil
Nadu Tourist House also available at Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.
Contact
District Forest Officer
Collectorate complex
Tirunelveli-8
Phone: 04622500778
Connectivity
By Road
Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary is easily accessible from
Tirunelveli (16 km) and Tuticorin (38 km).
By Rail
The railway station closest to Vallanadu is at Tirunelveli (16
km).
By Air
Tuticorin District has an airport and it is close to Vallanadu at
a distance of 25 km & Madurai Airport is located at a distance of 165 km.
Other Attractions
When you are in Vallanadu, there are some interesting places to
see around here.
·
Vallanadu Mountain Region
·
Nallamadan Swami Temple
·
Perumal Kovil Temple
·
Kallapiran Temple
Theppakulam