Bangitappal

Bangitappal (Cannabis tableland), is a valley in the southwest end of Mukurthi National Park located at: coord|11|15.39|N|76|30.33|E|, elevation: m to ft|2580|abbr=yes at the confluence of two streams at the head of the Sispara Pass in the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu South India.

Bangitipal used to be a halting place on the old Sispara ghat road from Kozhikode to Ooty, constructed in 1832. This pass provided a short land route for postal runners from Ooty to the West Coast in the 19th century and was used for smuggling of cannabis, tobacco and later salt. [Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", The Hindu Business Line, July 08, 2002. [http://www.blonnet.com/life/2002/07/08/stories/2002070800030300.htm Ooty trek] ] A forest rest house and a trekkers shed built there in 1930 are now used by park staff and visiting researchers.

A rough 10 km. jeep road leads there from the Upper Bhavani Dam. Application for visitors permit should be made with: Wildlife Warden - The Nilgiris, Mount Stewart Hill, Udhagamandalam – 643 001 Tamil Nadu, India; Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; Email: [e-mail]

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