Mathikettan Shola National Park

Coordinates: 10°02′N 77°08′E / 10.033°N 77.133°E / 10.033; 77.133 Mathikettan Shola National Park is a 12.82 km² national park in Poopara village of Udumbanchola taluk in Idukki district of Kerala state, South India.^[1]

Etymology

The name Mathikettan derives from the Tamil word literally meaning 'mind confuser', as the local people say that one forgets the path once he enters into the park.

History

This tract was notified as a Reserve Forest by the Travancore Government in 1897. Part of the land, prior to becoming a national park, had been leased out for the production of Cardamom. It was declared a National Park on Nov 21, 2003 to protect its ecological, faunal, floral and geographical wealth and its environment.^[2]

Fauna

Elephants which visit Mathikettan shola from the Munnar Division become trapped between the Bodinayakkanur and Kottamalai areas. This is due to private establishments on the northern side of Mathikettan, as well as degraded forests and human settlements on the southern side in areas of Chinnamanur Forest beat in Gudalur range.^[3]

Visitor information

Mathikettan Shola can be approached from Poopara via Munnar, on the Munnar - Kumily Highway. One can also reach Poopara on the Idukki route via Kothamangalam. The nearest airports are Madurai Airport and Cochin International Airport. Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Lodging facilities are available at Poopara.

Notes

1. ^ MATHIKETTAN SHOLA NATIONAL PARK Kerals Forests and Wildlife Department, 2009
2. ^ (Nov 21, 2003) The Hindu, retrieved 6/21/2007 Mathikettan declared National Park
3. ^ ANAIMALAI - PARAMBIKULAM, Asian nature Conservation Foundation Threat of isolated elephant herds