Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary | Weekend Getaway Break from Bangalore

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary | Weekend Getaway Break from Bangalore

located in the Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu at the southern part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Anamalai Hills, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary has been named after the first woman Prime Minister of India. Also referred as Anaimalai Sanctuary, it is located at the core of Nilgiri Biosphere Preserve and was notified as a sanctuary in the year of 1974. Spread across an area of 108 sq. km was declared as Tiger Reserve in the year of 2008.

The sanctuary has rich and exotic flora and fauna for its visitors to spot and spend some memorable time amidst the best of natural settings. One can explore the wild life here by either going for trekking or opting for Jungle Safaris.

Flora:There are many exotic plants which can be found in the sanctuary. Almost 800 different species of flora can be found here. Some of these are Combretum Ovalifolium, Dispyros nilagrica, Gymnopteris Contaimirans, Habebarai Reriflora, Polypodum Pleroupus, Alsophila, Bulbophyllum sp, Lasianthus uenuloses, Angiopterris Erectra, Gnetum Ula, Impaliens Elegans, Lycopodium cernum, Ranunculus Reniformis and Osmunda Regulis.

Fauna:The sanctuary has many interteisng and wild animals for you to spot. It provides you with opportunity to have a close looks of animals like Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Pangolin, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild boar, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Nilgiris Tahr, Civet Cat, Taddy Cat, tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, Common Languor, Nilgiris langur, Malabar Giant squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel etc.

The sanctuary has almost 500 species of birds as well that include both resident and migratory birds. Some of the birds that one can see in the park are Cormorants, Quails, Hornbills, Orioles, Storks, Eagles, Owls, Racket Tailed Drongo, Wynad laughing thrush, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar Pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird and Green Billed Malkhoha. One can get excellent view of these birds from the Top Slip which is the main birding area.

There are some places in and around the in Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary which makes for an interesting sightseeing.

Mt Stuart Block, located just 3 km from top slip in the sanctuary is place worth visiting. The place has ancient forest department bungalow along with the grave of Hugo Wood, a British officer who ensured that teak wood saplings were planted regularly.

Situated nest to the sanctuary is Thoonakkadavu, a popular lake. This has been created as a result of Parambikulam Dam. The beautiful surroundings with lush greenery and calm environment make for an interesting picnic spot.

One can also visit various sites in the town of Anaimalai such as Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kolikamuthi Elephant Camp, Azhiyar Siddashram and Maasani Amman Thirukoil, a Lord Gowrishankarar Temple.