Tiger Reserves in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has 5 tiger reserves.

Anamalai Tiger Reserve

• Location: Anaimalai Hills of Pollachi and Valparai taluks of Coimbatore District and Udumalaipettai taluk in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Established in 1976 as Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (earlier known as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park).
• Tiger Reserve: Upgraded in 2007 under Project Tiger.
• Elephant Reserve: Forms part of the Anamalai Parambikulam Elephant Reserve (created in 2003).
• Area: 1,479.87 sq.km (Core: 958.59 sq.km.; Buffer: 521.28 sq.km.).
• Hills: Located in the Anaimalai Hills (also known as Elephant Hills), part of the Western Ghats.
• River: Bhavani River, Nallar River, Attakallar River, Thirumurthy River, Sholiyar River, Aliyar River.
• Tribe: Kadars, Malasars, Malaimalasar, Pulaiyars, Muduvars, Eravallan (Eravalar).
• Plants: Teak, rosewood, ebony, ironwood, Indian laurel, Indian kino tree, Indian rosewood, Bamboo, Grasslands, Orchids.
• Animals: Tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Elephant, Sambar, Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Marten.
• Notable: Famous for enchanting displays of fireflies, which emit bioluminescent light creating a mesmerizing natural spectacle.

Kalakad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

• Location: Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary (1962), Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary (1976).
• Tiger Reserve: Formed in 1988 by merging Kalakad and Mundanthurai Sanctuaries; first tiger reserve of Tamil Nadu, 17th in India.
• Biosphere Reserve: Part of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
• Area: 1,601.542 sq.km (Core: 895.000 sq.km.; Buffer: 706.542 sq.km.).
• Hills: Agasthyamalai Hills, Western Ghats.
• River: Thambraparani, Ramanadi, Karayar, Servalar, Manimuthar, Pachayar, Kodaiyar, Gadananathi, Kallar.
• Plants: Rosewood, Teak, Ebony, Bamboo, Jackfruit, Neem, Indian Laurel, White Cedar, Indian Gooseberry, Flame of the Forest, Ficus, Ochlandra reed, Montane Wet Grassland.
• Animals: Tiger, Asian Elephant, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Sambar, Spotted Deer.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

• Location: Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India; tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (1940).
• National Park: Mudumalai National Park (1990).
• Tiger Reserve: Designated under Project Tiger in 2007.
• Biosphere Reserve: Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (1986).
• Area: 688.59 sq.km (Core: 321.00 sq.km.; Buffer: 367.59 sq.km.).
• Hills: Nilgiri Hills, part of the Western Ghats.
• River: Moyar River.
• Tribe: Todas, Kurumbas, Irulas.
• Plants: Semi-evergreen Forests, Moist Deciduous Forests, Dry Deciduous Forests, Scrub Forests, Swampy Areas (Vayals), Grasslands.
• Animals: Tiger, Asian Elephant, Indian Gaur, Malabar Giant Squirrel.

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

• Location: Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India; confluence of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 2008.
• Tiger Reserve: Upgraded to Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in 2013.
• Biosphere Reserve: Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• Awards: TX2 Award received in 2022 after tiger population doubled since 2010.
• Area: 1,408.405 sq.km (Core: 793.49331 sq.km.; Buffer: 614.91210 sq.km.).
• Hills: Located at the meeting point of Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.
• River: Bhavani River flows through the reserve; originates in Nilgiri Hills and joins Kaveri River.
• Lake: Bhavanisagar Reservoir (Bhavani Dam).
• Tribe: Irula and Soliga tribes.
• Historical Note: Forests historically associated with Veerappan.
• Plants: Teak, Terminalia, Sandalwood, Indian Rosewood, Indian Kino Tree, Indian Elm, Indian Gooseberry, Bamboo species, Grasslands.
• Animals: Tiger, Asian Elephant, Panther, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Dhole, Black-naped Hare, Indian Vulture, Mugger Crocodile.

Srivilleiputhura-Meghmalai Tiger Reserve

• Location: Megamalai, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India.
• Tiger Reserve: Declared in 2021 by combining Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Rank: 51st Tiger Reserve of India and 5th Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.
• Area: 1,016.57 sq.km (Core: 641.86 sq.km.; Buffer: 374.70 sq.km.).
• River: Vaigai River flows through the reserve.
• Plants: Tropical Evergreen Forests, Semi-evergreen Forests, Dry Deciduous Forests, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests
• Fauna/Animals: Tiger, Asian Elephant, Indian Gaur, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Tahr.

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