Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
The Indira Gandhi National Park is a national park in Tamil Nadu in southern India. The National Park was originally called Anaimalai National Park and got its current name in honor of Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India.
Location, landscape and vegetation
The National Park is located in the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The area of the National Park extends over the districts of Coimbatore and Tiruppur. The mountains of the region are called Anaimalais ( Elephant Mountain ). The protected area ( Indira Gandhi Wildlife Reserve and National Park ) covers a total area of 958 square kilometers. The lowest parts of the reserve are at the foot of the mountains at about 300 meters. The highest elevations in the Valparai plateau rise up to 1,250 meters. The vegetation ranges from dry thorn forests in the lower elevations over semi-evergreen forests to grasslands and evergreen rain and bamboo forests. The local population of the reserve belongs essentially to smaller Adivasi communities about the Kadar, Malasar, Malai Malasar, Muduvar, Pulayar and Eravalar. These are used partly as park rangers and anti-poaching units.
Wildlife
The varied landscape is reflected in a very rich fauna. Among the herds of elephants of the park are probably the most prominent residents. In addition, the Nilgiri Tahr, which occurs only in southern India, a particularly characteristic species of the park. Other herbivores are Gaure, sambar deer, Axishirsche, barking deer, Kant, Chile, and wild boar. Even large predators such as tigers, leopards, sloth bears and Asiatic wild dogs are available in the park. Smaller predators are leopard cat, jungle cat, Bengalfuchs, Small Indian Civet, Civet, Indian mongoose, Halsstreifenmanguste, otter, common otter fur and yellow-throated marten Indian. Primates are represented by Indian Hutaffen, Hanuman langurs, Nilgiri langurs, macaques and Schlankloris. More conspicuous mammals are the Indian pangolin, the Indian porcupine and various squirrels, rabbits and bats.
Among the more than 300 species of birds, the imposing Great hornbill is emphasized as characteristic species of South Indian forests. The largest species of reptiles include Marsh Crocodile and the Bengalenwaran.