Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai National Park is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu and stretches over the forest belt between the Western Ghats and the Nilgiri Mountains. While crossing the highway connecting Mysore and Ooty, you will come across this picturesque park, which comes under the Nilgiri district of the state. The term 'Mudumalai' literally means 'Ancient Hill Range'. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary of India is spread over an area of 300 sq km and lies on the northeastern slopes of the Nilgiri mountain range, known as Wynad.

Mudumalai holds the distinction of being the first sanctuary to be set up in the state of Tamil Nadu. The best time to visit the Madumalai Bird Sanctuary is during the months of March to June and September to November. One should avoid going there in the wet season, which stretches during the months of June to August.

Flora
The main areas of the Mudumalai National Park comprise of low hills, marshy meadows and open grasslands. The vegetation found in the park is quite varied, ranging from the mixed deciduous type to the moist deciduous type. The majority of the plants and trees found dominating the park are those of Teak, Bejal, Indian Laburnum, Bamboo, Kumizh, etc. The water needs of the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary are met mainly by the Moyar River of Tamil Nadu, which also forms the boundary between Madumalai and Bandipur.

Wildlife
The major wildlife attractions of Madumalai National Park of India comprise of Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Four-horned Antelope, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Chital, Barking Deer, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Striped Hyena, Slender Loris, Common Otter, Indian Giant Red Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Black Napped Hare, Porcupines, Sloth Bear, Rusty Wild Boar, Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Spotted Cat, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Mongoose, Pangolin, Giant Fruit Bats, Jackal, etc.

Reptiles
The reptile population of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu includes Turtles, Rock Pythons, Flying Lizards, Monitor Lizards and a wide variety of snakes.

Bird Species
The most common bird species seen at Madumalai Bird Sanctuary of India are Shaheen Falcons, Honey Buzzards, Black Woodpeckers, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Paradise Flycatchers, Gray Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Serpent Eagles, Gray Headed Firhings, Crested Hawk Eagles, Racket Tailed Drongos, etc. Other birds that are worth watching are Little Scops Owls, Common Scops Owls, Tiny Eared Owls, Blue Bearded Bee-Eaters, Pea Fowl, Scarlet Minivets, Green Imperial Pigeons, Scimitar Babblers, Lesser Coucals, Paradise Flycatchers, Fairy Blue Birds, Malabar Whistling Thrushes, etc.

How to Reach Mudumalai National Park

By Air: The nearest airport of Coimbatore is situated at a distance of approximately 160 km.

By Rail: The sanctuary is 65 km away from Udhagamandalam railway station and 95 km away from Mysore railway station.

By Road: Since Mudumalai is situated along the Mysore-Ooty Highway; it is well connected with the other cities of India.