Cauliflower Shola, Ooty, Nilgiris
Cauliflower Shola are the Shola forest patch, situated
on Avalanche Lake to Upper Bhavani Dam route. It is situated in Ooty Taluk in
Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu. This shola forest looks like cauliflower
canopy. The trees resemble just like Broccoli and Cauliflower. Sholas are
the local name for patches of stunted tropical montane forest found
in valleys amid rolling grassland in the higher montane regions of South
India. These patches of shola forest are found mainly in the valleys
and are usually separated from one another by undulating montane
grassland.
The shola and grassland together form the
shola-grassland complex or mosaic. The word 'Shola' is probably derived from
the Tamil language word Solai meaning grove.
The shola-forest and grassland complex has been described as a climatic climax
vegetation with forest regeneration and expansion restricted by
climatic conditions such as frost or soil characteristics while others have
suggested that it may have anthropogenic origins in the burning and removal of
forests by early herders and shifting agriculturists.
Connectivity
Cauliflower Shola is located at about 26 Kms from
Ooty, 26 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 27 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 44 Kms from
Coonoor, 56 Kms from Kotagiri, 76 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station, 106
Kms from Coimbatore and 119 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Visitors should note
that as the Cauliflower Shola is situated in the Nilgiri Biosphere
reserve, prior permission is needed from the forest office in Ooty. Private
vehicles are not allowed into the Sanctuary and visitors have to take Forest
Department mini bus for a 2 hours ride into the Sanctuary, covering Lakes, Dams,
Bhavani Temple and Hydro Power Plants.
The bus starts from Forest Department Check Post 3 Kms
before the Avalanche Lake. The buses are run between 9 AM to 3 PM (2 hours
ride) at specific intervals. It is advised to take the 9 AM bus to have better
chances of wildlife sighting. Jeeps are also available for a group of 8 people.
It is therefore best to arrive early and get the tickets, especially during
peak season and holidays.
Location