Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve: Gorgeousness Overloaded - A Photo Story
Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is that hidden offbeat beauty of nature in the extreme south of India. It’s pristine ecosystem gives birth to many rivers, waterfalls, dams and canals. It is the catchment area for the Thamirabharani, Manimuthar and Kodayar rivers that are the lifeline of most of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. It’s tropical evergreen and deciduous forests are a treat for the senses and are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that include elephants, tigers, sloth bears, gaurs, leopards, king cobra and so much more. This tiger reserve is also home to a British era tea estate whose lease gets over in the next three years. It is the wettest region of India during the North East Monsoon. As it has both east and west facing valleys, it receives copious rainfall from both the South West and the North East monsoons. This photo story aims at showing you the overloaded gorgeousness of this place, which is a far cry from our cities and even the plains down below the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR). I hope you enjoy it. Do comment below in case you have any questions regarding this hidden destination.
Above photo: The Manjolai tea estate, managed by Bombah Burmah Trading company, was created during the British rule. In another 3 years, the original lease gets over and this place will become a part of the tiger reserve. Pretty soon, nature will take it into its fold. Till then, you can enjoy these misty views around the tea gardens.
Above photo: Ferns show the health of a ecosystem and at KMTR, you can see it everywhere. These gorgeous ferns can be seen adorning the forest road from Kakkachi to Nalumukku.
Above photo: This is the windiest location inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. This place is called Kudrevetty and it is home to a watch tower that offers a beautiful views of the surrounding dense forests and the Karaiyar, Servalar and Manimuthar Dams down below. The forest guest house is also located close to this watch tower.
Above photo: This location happens to one of the most scenic pit stops on the route between Manjolai hill station and Kudrevetty. It is called Irumbu Palam or Iron bridge and is a favorite location for the elephants here as the love the bamboo forest in this area. The nature is as pristine as it can be here.
Above photo: This is the Manimuthar Falls, the first pit stop once you cross the forest check post and begin your drive inside the forest. This herbal waterfall carries water all year round and is hugely popular with the locals. This is how it looks on a rainy day.
Above photo: At close to 5000 feet above MSL, this is Kakkachi, the highest point inside Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. It is home to a British era golf course and a few man made lakes. Thankfully, today, there is a lot of wild nature here.
Above photo: One of the things that I love about this region are the ever smiling people. It is unfortunate that they have to relocate to the plains below once the lease gets over. Most of these people have been living and working here for decades. These ladies were seen picking tea leaves at the Nalumukku tea estate and they were kind enough to pose for me.
Above photo: Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is full of untouched, hidden and pristine gems. One such gem is this beautiful forest waterfall that flows through medicinal herbs and plants and whose water is deliciously sweet and cold. This waterfall is part of the catchment area of the Thamirabharani river and its water empty out into the Manimuthar dam.
Above photo: Most locals working at the tea estates stay at Manjolai and a few live at Nalumukku and Oothu. Beyond Oothu, there are hardly any people living and you can see that in the nature beyond Oothu as the forest has slowly started to reclaim its land. The road between Oothu and Kudrevetty is lush and dense and is a treat for very nature enthusiast.
Above photo: The green rolling hills of the Western Ghats as seen from one of the viewpoints between Manjolai and Kakkachi. This view includes small houses, tea estates, forests, hills and more.
Above photo: Here is another shot of Manimuthar Falls, the stunning forest waterfall of Tamil Nadu. It is just 12 kms from Kallidaikurichi village and is my favorite route for a Sunday morning cycle ride.
Above photo: Here is another shot of the Iron Bridge of KMTR. These bamboo forests that you see on both sides of the forest road are loved by the elephants and hence it is one of the more dangerous zones to drive through especially during the early morning and late evening time. And more so during cloudy, misty and/or rainy days when elephants descend to this place in huge numbers.
Above photo: This is the picturesque hill station of Manjolai as seen from one of the view points between Manjolai and Kakkachi. It is one of the prettiest hill stations of Tamil Nadu. Many people refer to this offbeat hill station as ‘Poor Man’s Ooty’.
Above photo: The route between Oothu and Kudrevetty is absolutely scenic. Here you can see tea estates, forests and dense mist as you make your way from Oothu to Kudrevetty via the forest road.
Above photo: This quaint little hill station of Tamil Nadu called Oothu is home to no more than twenty houses. Along with Nalumukku and Kakkachi, it is one of the wettest regions of India during the North East Monsoon. Time stands still here.
Above photo: Monsoon in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is never short of stunning views. This is the view of the mist covered tea estates at Manjolai during the North East Monsoon. Nothing like a hot cup of tea/coffee in such gorgeous weather.
Above photo: This is a crested serpent eagle perched on a tree somewhere between Manjolai and Kakkachi. It was very misty and there was a steady drizzle, but the crested serpent eagle seemed to be enjoying this weather.
