About Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Sanctuaries:
The Mundanthurai-Kalakad wildlife sanctuary in Tirunelveli district is developed as a National Tiger Reserve from the year 1988 with a total area of 817 sq. km in the south most western ghat ranges. The nearest stations are Cheranmahadevi, and Ambasamudaram which are 20kms and 15 kms respectively from Tirunelveli. The nearest airports are Madurai and Trivandrum. One can reach this place by road also from Ambasamudaram and Kalakad. Frequent buses are plying from Ambasamudaram and Kalakad to this place. Out of 817 sq. kms.459 sq.kms is in core zone and 358 sq.kms. is in buffer zone. The mountainous undulating to topography is the characteristic feature leading to tropical dry deciduous forest on the lower slopes and tropical wet evergreen forests on the upper reaches. The climate is dry humid and hot at plains and pleasant cold in the higher elevations. The reserve is the southernmost habitat of the tiger. Other predators like panthers, jungle cats, civets, dholes, jackals, striped hyenas are also found here. India is the home of 18 non-human primate species of which five primates occur in this reserve namely lion-tailed macque, slender loris, Nilgiri langur common langur and bonnet macaque. Other endangered species found here are Nilgiri tahr, sloth bear, Indian bison, Indian elephant, Malabar giant squirrel, mouse deer, pangolin etc. In addition to that sambar wild boar, spotted deer, porcupine and mangooses are also found here. We can also come across reptiles and amphibians like king cobra, common krait, russels, viper, darkpit viper, monitor lizard, garden lizard, tortoise, crocodiles and rare species of frogs. Regarding avifauna there are more than 80 species of birds found in this region. To mention a few spotted frequently here are egrets, herons, jungle fowl, spurfowl, partridge, quails, emerald dove, minivets, bee caters, sparrows, owls, night jars, kites, paradise flay catchers, and parakeets etc. There are 24 identified nature trails which is spread over the reserve. It gives a thrilling experience to trekkers. This Tiger Reserve is open on all days between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the year. However the best season is September to January. Forest Rest Houses and dormitories are available at Mundanthurai and Thalayanai.
General Information about Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Sanctuaries:
Location: 15 Km From Tirunelveli
State: Tamil Nadu
Capital: Chennai
Language: Tamil, Hindi, English
Temperature: Max 40˚C, Min 27˚C (summer), Max 29˚C, Min 20˚C (winter)
Best Season: November to March
How to Reach Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve Sanctuaries:
By Road:
Tirunelveli is well connected by road. The city is located on the National Highway no. 7. It is well connected to all the major cities of Peninsular India by National as well as state highways. The Tamilnadu Transport Corporation operates buses to Chennai, Bangalore, Salem, Coimbatore, Nagapattinam, Erode and Tirupati originating from Tirunelveli.
By Rail/Train:
The Tirunelveli Junction railway station is an extremely busy and important railway junction in Tamilnadu. It connects Tirunelveli to all the major cities in India and Tamilnadu such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Trichy, Thanjore and Kanyakumari. Various express and super fast trains pass through Tirunelveli.
By Air:
The nearest airport from Tirunelveli is Tuticorin airport that is located at a distance of 28 kilometres from the downtown Tirunelveli. Tuticorin airport sees very less flights but Trivandrum airport that is around 150 kilometres in Kerala has regular flights for various cities in India as well as South and West Asia.