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{{More citations needed|date=November 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{short description|National park in India}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Mukurthi National Park
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = II
| iucn_ref =
| image = Niltahr.jpg
| image_caption = [[Nilgiri tahr]] in montane grasslands
| map = India Tamil Nadu#India
| map_caption =
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| mark =
| marker_size =
| location = [[Nilgiri District]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|11|16|N|76|28.5|E|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| area_km2 = 78.46
| elevation = 2629
| established = 12 December 2001
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| governing_body =
| website = {{URL|www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_muknp.html}}
| url =
| child =
| module =
}}
'''Mukurthi National Park''' is a {{cvt|78.46|km2}} [[national park]] in the western [[Nilgiris (mountains)|Nilgiris mountains]] of [[Tamil Nadu]] in [[South India]]. It was created to protect its [[keystone species]], the [[Nilgiri tahr]].<ref name="DograMGT">{{Cite report |last=Dogra |first=R. K. |title=Mukurthi National Park Management plan; 2004–2009 |publisher=Wildlife Warden, Mount Stuart Hill |location=Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu |date=2006 |url=}}</ref>
It is part of [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], India's first [[International Biosphere Reserve]]. As part of the Western Ghats, it is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] since 1 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Four natural and four cultural properties added to UNESCO's World Heritage List on Sunday |date=2012 |work=UNESCO |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/902}}</ref>
It is characterised by [[montane grasslands and shrublands]] interspersed with [[shola]]s, high rainfall, near-freezing temperatures and strong winds. It harbours [[Bengal tiger]] and [[Asian elephant]].

==History==
{{Maplink|from=Mukurthi NP.map|type=shape |frame=yes|zoom=10|frame-lat=11.28|frame-long=76.5|stroke-width=1|frame-align=right |text=Mukukurthi National Park boundary}}
Native [[hill tribe]] communities including the [[Toda people]] have harvested firewood from the sholas and grazed their animals including the [[Wild Asian water buffalo|hill buffalo]] for centuries. Indiscriminate felling of the sholas started with the establishment of British settlements in Ootacamund, [[Coonoor]] and [[Wellington, Tamil Nadu|Wellington]] in the early 19th century. Beginning in 1841 authorities issued contracts to bidders to fell wood from specific sholas in a 'timber conservancy' program. In 1868 James Breeds, commissioner of the Hills, wrote: "...unless conservancy is taken in hand and organized under some efficient system under the control of an experienced officer, the destruction of the sholas is but a question of time."{{sfnp|Thyaagarajan or Thyagarajan|p=70}}

[[Bangitappal]] (Cannabis tableland), at the southwest end of the park at the confluence of two streams at the head of the [[Sispara|Sispara Pass]], used to be a halting place on the old Sispara ghat road from [[Kozhikode]] to Ooty, constructed in 1832. This pass provided a short land route for postal runners from Ooty to the west coast in the 19th century and was used for smuggling of cannabis, tobacco and later salt.<ref>Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", The Hindu Business Line, 8 July 2002.[http://www.blonnet.com/life/2002/07/08/stories/2002070800030300.htm Ooty trek]</ref> A forest rest house and a trekkers shed built there in 1930 are now used by park staff and visiting researchers.

Between 1840 and 1856 [[plantation]]s of several non-native tree species were introduced to the area to satisfy the fuel-wood demand. These included four [[Acacia|wattle]] species ([[Acacia mollissima|black wattle]], [[Acacia dealbata|silver wattle]], [[Acacia decurrens|green wattle]] and [[Acacia melanoxylon|blackwood]]), [[Eucalyptus globulus|eucalyptus]], [[cypress]], [[Chir pine|Indian long leaf pine]] and [[Common gorse|thorny gorse]]. Eucalyptus became the preferred plantation tree.

Unlike the others, the wattles spread by root suckers to quickly cover large areas of native grasslands, including the Mukurthi Hills, and was declared a pest "useful for covering wastelands".{{sfnp|T. Jayadev|p=12}} Some [[Acacia mollissima|black wattle]] plantations were maintained for the leather industry, as their bark yielded [[tannin]].

In 1882 Inspector General of Forests, [[Dietrich Brandis]] "recommended bringing the present {{convert|1200|acre|km2}} of plantation up to {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} to create enormous forest blocks "...which would make any remaining sholas redundant forest resources".{{sfnp|Sutton|p=6}} The entire area of MNP, was declared as a [[Reserve forest]] in 1886.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{harvp|Dogra|2006|loc=MNP Mgt plan, 3.6.1, Legal status}}</ref>

In 1920 it was suggested that 10–15 acre plots in the Kundah Hills including the present park area, "be planted up each year in places where sholas have almost or quite disappeared, the most suitable species probably being ''[[Acacia dealbata]]'' (silver wattle)", thus replacing highly diverse endemic and stable ecosystems with an exotic monoculture supporting little animal diversity.{{sfnp|Ranganathan|pp=45–47}}

The area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary on 3 August 1982 and upgraded to a National Park on 15 October 1990 in order to protect the Nilgiri tahr.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name=Dogra/>

==Geography==
[[Image:AMS-Erode-C-Mukurthi-NP.jpg|thumb|Mukurthi National Park topographic map 1:250,000]]
[[Image:Mukurthi NP Map.jpg|thumb|Mukurthi National Park<br />boundaries and features map]]
[[Image:Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Map of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, showing Mukurthi National Park in relation to multiple contiguous protected areas]]
[[File:Mukurthi-National-Park.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Mukurthi National Park, the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India. A lovely tapestry of southern high mountain grasslands]]
Mukurthi National Park has an elongated crescent shape facing to the west between 11°10' to 11°22' N and 76°26' to 76°34' E. It is bordered on the west by Nilambur South Forest Division, to the northwest by Gudalur Forest Division, to the northeast, east and southeast by [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=11.348104&lon=76.523209&z=11&l=0&m=h&show=/1700478/ Nilgiri South Forest Division] and to the south by Mannarghat Forest Division. At its southwest tip the peaks of this park straddle the northeast corner of [[Silent Valley National Park]] of [[Kerala]].<ref>Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Mukurthi – National Park . Retrieved 18 April 2007 [http://www.asiannature.org/mukurthi.html]</ref>

On the Nilgiri Plateau, the Kundah range of the Nilgiri hills is a ridge on the south-western side of Mukurthi National Park bordering [[Kerala]]. The Tamil Nadu/Kerala border here is 39 km long. The park generally slopes towards the east and south receiving water from the Billithadahalla, Pykara and Kundah rivers, and the Upper Bhavani and Mukurthi reservoirs which flow through the park. Also several perennial streams originate in the park, most of which drain into the Bhavani River.<ref>Ahmed, Ameen ''Romantic Mukurthi'' Deccan Herald, Bangalore. 21 January 2001. [https://tumkurameen.blogspot.com/2006/03/romantic-mukurthi.html 'Romantic Mukurthi']</ref>
[[Image:Mukurthi peak.jpg|thumb|[[Mukurthi|Mukurthi Peak]] elevation: 2554 m.]]
Park elevation varies from {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}} to {{convert|2629|m|ft|abbr=on}}, with '''Kollaribetta''' {{convert|2629|m|ft|abbr=on}}, '''[[Mukurthi]]''' {{convert|2554|m|ft|abbr=on}}, and '''Nilgiri''' {{convert|2476|m|ft|abbr=on}} being the highest peaks in this part of Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu. With elevations greater than the general level of the plateau, the range possesses some peaks close to the height of [[Doddabetta]], just east of Ooty.
'''Avalanche hill''' of this range has twin-peaks of the '''Kudikkadu''' (height: {{convert|2590|m|ft|0}}) and the '''[[Kolaribetta]]'''. '''Derbetta''' (or Bear Hill) (height: {{convert|2531|m|ft|0}}) and '''Kolibetta''' (height: {{convert|2494|m|ft|0}}), south of the Ouchterlony valley, are a continuation of the Kundah range.

'''Pichalbetta''' (height: {{convert|2544|m|ft|0}}), '''Nilgiri Peak''' and '''Mukurthi Peak''' are the important heights of this area. Though not the highest hills in the Nilgiris, these three hills stand out in relation to the generally uniform level of this area.<ref>District Administration, Nilgiris (20 August 2007) National Informatics Centre, Nilgiris. Retrieved 2008/08/31 [http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/newpages/hills_and__peaks.htm Hills and Peaks]</ref>

Important peaks in the southwest Sispara/Bangitipal part of the park are '''[[Sispara]]''' (height: {{convert|2206|m|ft|0}}) '''[[Anginda peak|Anginda]]''' (height: {{convert|2383|m|ft|0}}), '''Nadugani''' (height: {{convert|2320|m|ft|0}}) and '''Gulkal''' (height: {{convert|2468|m|ft|0}}).

The park has a harsh environment with annual rainfall varying from 2010 mm to 6330 mm (79–249 inches), night temperature sometimes below freezing in the winter and wind speeds ranging up to {{convert|120|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Dogra/> page 13

==Fauna==
[[Image:Redadmiral08.JPG|thumb|[[Vanessa indica|Indian red admiral]]]]
Several [[threatened]] mammal species live here including [[Nilgiri tahr]], [[Indian elephant]], [[Bengal tiger]], [[Nilgiri marten]], [[Nilgiri langur]] and [[Servant mouse|Bonhote's mouse]]. Mukurthi is near the northern end of the range of the Nilgiri tahr. A three-day census in March 2007 estimated 200 tahrs in the park including 60 young ones sighted.<ref>(12 April 2007) "Nilgiri Tahr population healthy: census", ''The Hindu''. Retrieved 18 April 2007 [https://web.archive.org/web/20070314214944/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/12/stories/2007031205360300.htm "eco-sensitive zone"]</ref> There are also [[Indian leopard|leopard]], [[bonnet macaque]], [[sambar deer]], [[barking deer]], [[mouse deer]], [[otter]], [[jungle cat]], [[small Indian civet]], [[Indian wild dog|wild dog]], [[jackal]], [[black-naped hare]], [[Suncus montanus|shrew]], [[Malabar spiny dormouse]] and [[soft-furred rat]].

Avifauna consists mostly of hill birds including the threatened [[Nilgiri laughingthrush]], [[Malabar whistling thrush]], [[Eurasian woodcock]], [[Nilgiri wood pigeon]], [[black-and-orange flycatcher]], [[Nilgiri flycatcher]], [[grey-headed canary flycatcher]] [[black bulbul]], [[Indian white-eye]] and [[Nilgiri pipit]]. The predatory [[black-winged kite]], [[common kestrel]] and [[black eagle]] may be seen in the grasslands.

The area is home to many species of point-endemics among reptiles such as the geckos [[Cnemaspis|dwarf gecko]], Nilgiri salea (''[[Salea horsfieldii]]'') and the [[skink]] (''[[Kaestlea bilineata]]'') the snakes [[Trimeresurus strigatus|horseshoe pit viper]], [[Fowlea piscator|checkered keelback]], [[Ptyas mucosa|rat snake]], ''[[Oligodon venustus]]'', [[Ahaetulla perroteti|bronze-headed vine snake]] and several [[Uropeltidae|shieldtail]]s of which [[Plectrurus perrotetii|Perrotet's shieldtail]] is the most common. Like reptiles, almost all species of amphibians here are endemic only to this region, except the widespread common Indian toad (''[[Duttaphrynus melanostictus]]''); main species include ''[[Bufo microtympanum]]'' and many species of [[tree frog]]s including ''[[Raorchestes tinniens]]'', ''[[Raorchestes signatus]]'', ''[[Raorchestes ravii]]'', ''[[Raorchestes thodai]]'', ''[[Raorchestes primarrumpfi]]'', ''[[Ghatixalus variabilis]]'' and the [[dancing frog]] ''[[Micrixalus phyllophilus]]'' and aquatic ones like ''[[Nyctibatrachus indraneili]]'' and ''[[Fejervarya nilagirica]]''.<ref name=Dogra/> 

Butterflies with [[Himalaya]]n affinity like the [[Kaniska canace|blue admiral]], [[Vanessa indica|Indian red admiral]], [[Argynnis hyperbius|Indian fritillary]], [[Pieris rapae|Indian cabbage white]] and [[Oreolyce quadriplaga|hedge blue]]s are seen here. Some streams had been stocked with exotic [[rainbow trout]] in the past.<ref>Shanker, K. (1996). ''Sholas and Grasslands''. Sanctuary Asia Magazine, Vol. XVI, No.2 [http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/hpg/kartik/sanct.htm retrieved April 18, 2007]</ref>

==Flora==
The area is home to numerous endemic plants particularly of the [[scapigerous]] annual ''[[Impatiens]]'' plants. ''[[Alchemilla indica]]'' and ''[[Hedyotis verticillaris]]'' are found only within or on the fringes of this park.

[[Image:Rhododendron arboreum .jpg|thumb|[[Rhododendron]] tree in shola]]
[[Rhododendron]]s, ''[[Rhododendron arboreum]]'' the national flower of Nepal or ''[[Rhododendron nilagiricum]]'',<ref>Shanker Kartik (2002) [http://www.atree.org/nilgiris.pdf ''Nilgiris Floral Paradise''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110081340/http://www.atree.org/nilgiris.pdf |date=10 November 2007 }} Nilgiris, p65. Retrieved 17 February 2008</ref>
are seen throughout the grasslands and very large specimens are conspicuous around many sholas. Other common shola trees and shrubs among the 58 species found here include: ''[[Syzygium calophyllifolium]]'', ''[[Daphniphyllum neilgherrense]]'', ''[[Cinnamomum wightii]]'', ''[[Vaccinium leschenaulti]]'', ''[[Mahonia leschenaulti]]'', ''[[Litsea]]'' sp., ''[[Lasianthus]]'' sp., ''[[Psychotria]]'' sp. and ''[[Michelia nilagirica]]''.
[[Image:Rubus sp. yellow.JPG|thumb|[[Rubus idaeus|Wild yellow raspberries]] grow on the edge of sholas and in disturbed soil along trails and roads]]
The edges of most sholas are lined with the shrubs: ''[[Gaultheria fragrantissima]]'', ''[[Rhodomyrtus tomentosa]]'', ''[[Rubus]]'' sp., ''[[Bergeris tinctoria]]'', ''[[Eurya nitida]]'', ''[[Strobilanthes]]'' sp., and ''[[Helichrysum]]'' sp.

The [[orchid]]s ''[[Eria abliflora]]'', ''[[Oberonia santapaui]]'', ''[[Aerides ringens]]'', ''[[Aerides crispa]]'' and ''[[Coelogyne odoratissima]]''
are found on the high west edge of the park. Among the grasslands are a plethora of ''[[Brachycorythis iantha]]'', [[Satyrium nepalense]], ''[[Habenaria cephalotes]]'', ''[[Seidenfia densiflora]]'', ''[[Spiranthes sinensis]]'' and [[Liparis atropurpurea]].
The natural habitats of the park have been much disturbed by previously easy motor vehicle access through four entry points and<ref>Davidar, ERC, Distribution and Status of the Nilgiri Tahr Bombay Natural History Society 75(3): 815–844</ref> extensive commercial planting and natural spreading of non-native [[eucalyptus]] and [[acacia|wattle]] (''[[Acacia dealbata]]'', ''[[Acacia mearnsii]]'' and other species). In addition there is one large, and several smaller hydro-electric impoundments in the area.<ref>Rice, C G Dr (1984) US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, USA, "''The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr''", Tahr Foundation. Retrieved 17 April 2007 [http://www.tahrfoundation.org/html/cl1.htm "''The behaviour and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr''"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928155241/http://www.tahrfoundation.org/html/cl1.htm |date=28 September 2006 }}</ref>

Only 20% of the park area has more than a 50% chance of being used by tahr. If old commercial forests are removed and restored to their original grassland habitat, usable tahr habitat would increase to 60%.<ref>Sumithran, Stephen (1997) "''Status and Ecology of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Mukurthi National Park, South India''" Phd dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Retrieved 18 April 2007 [http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40511 Nilgiri Tahr in the Mukurthi National Park]</ref>

==Management==
Mukurthi National Park is managed by the Tamil Nadu Department of Forestry with the main objective to [[habitat conservation|conserve]] the endangered shola-grassland ecosystem and its endemic flora and fauna. The department operates an effective year round anti-[[poaching]] program with gun- and radio-equipped foot patrols operating from anti-poaching camps at Bangitappal, Nadugani, Western Catchment and Mukurthi Fishing Hut.
[[Image:Grassland restoration.JPG|thumb|Grassland restoration from old [[Acacia|wattle forest]]]]
Prevention and control of destructive [[forest fires|wildfire]] is achieved through creation of artificial [[firebreak]]s in the form of hand-dug fire lines along ridges and cleared trek paths. Local fire watchers are employed for early detection and control during the dangerous December to April fire season. Invasive imported plant species, especially [[Acacia|wattle]], [[Scotch broom]] and [[gorse]] are controlled and eliminated from the park through a phased, long-term program focused on restoration of the original biota.

Tourism is not a management objective, but the Forest Department does periodically conduct nature awareness and conservation programs for the public and some special interest groups through controlled visits to the Western Catchment and Avalanche areas of the park.

The Forest Department seeks to identify and acquire contiguous undisturbed crucial habitat areas for future inclusion in the park.<ref name=Dogra>{{Citation |author = Rakesh Kumar Dogra| editor-last = Seshan| editor-first = Suprabha | title =Mukurthi Unforeseen Wilderness, A Compendium of Writings and Photographs on Mukurthi National Park| url = https://archive.org/stream/MukurthiUnforeseenWilderness| publisher = Tamil Nadu Forest Department| pages = 48 50| date = April 2007}}</ref>

==Visitor information==
[[Image:Management sign.JPG|thumb|upright=1.35|Management sign at Upper Bhavani entrance]]
[[Image:Bangitapal Trekking Shed.jpg|thumb|[[Bangitappal]] rest house and surroundings]]
Casual tourism and commercial tour operation is not permitted. Tourist facilities are not available in the park. Special interest groups are sometimes permitted for supervised educational programs, [[Hiking|trek]]king and [[camping]]. There are forest rest houses at Bangitapal, Avalanche, Pykara and some unfurnished trekking sheds.

A mostly downhill three-, four- or five-day trek through Mukurthi and [[Silent Valley National Park]]s starts by driving 75 km from Udhagamandalam [[Udhagamandalam|(Ooty)]] in 4 hours and a 1 km walk to overnight at Bangitapal. Walk 24 km through Mukurthi Park in 9 hours to overnight at Walakkad or overnight half-way at the new trekkers bungalow at [[Sispara|Sispara peak]] then continue 12 km steep downhill the next day to Walakkad. Walk 18 km in 7 hours to overnight at Poochipara. Walk 8 km in 3 hours to Sairandhiri in Silent Valley, then take a park van out or overnight at [[Silent Valley National Park|Sairandhri]] and trek 23 km to Mukkali village. A forest guide-cum-cook accompanies park visitors during all treks.<ref>Venugopal, Dharmalingam, "Stairway to heaven, up the blue mountain", ''Business Line'', 8 July 2002. [http://www.blonnet.com/life/2002/07/08/stories/2002070800030300.htm Ooty trek]</ref><ref>Radhareddyh, Silent Valley Trek, Travelblog.com, 2007/01/18. [http://www.travelblog.com/2606/users/radhareddyh/index.php Trek]</ref>
In some cases the guide may instruct visitors to bend down to drink straight from a stream like a deer and prohibit bathing in a stream so the silt at the bottom is not disturbed and because human body odour might affect the animals.<ref>Vijayah T. Anantha 2008/03/23 Treks and tracks, ''The Hindu''. Retrieved 2007/04/18 [https://web.archive.org/web/20040927134437/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/yw/2002/03/23/stories/2002032300080200.htm]</ref>

Beginning in November 2007, the Forest Department has organised trekking programmes inside forest areas of Mukurthi Park with the objective to familiarise the public with their conservation efforts. The places covered by treks are Mudimund, Mukurthi Peak, Western Catchment, Bangitapal, Moyar, Anaikatti, Morganbetta, Avalanchi, Kolleribetta, Sispara and Silent Valley. Trek distances vary between 8 km and 60 km. Each group comprises up to 20 members. Guides, instructors, cooks, porters, tents and food are provided by the department. Trekkers have to bring rucksacks and sleeping bags. Application for trekking permits can be made to the range officer.<ref name="Dogra2">{{cite news|url=http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/Ecotourism/graphics/Eco-Trekking.pdf|title=Education and awareness programme of conservation – |last=Dogra|first=Rakesh Kumar |date= 11 January 2007|work=Press release|publisher=Office of the Wildlife Warden |access-date=2009-02-01}}</ref>

The nearest airport is Coimbatore (140 km away). The nearest railway station is Udhagamandalam (45 km away). The best seasons are February to May and September to November.<ref>[http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_muknp.html Tamil Nadu Forest Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185438/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/wildbiodiversity/np_muknp.html |date=21 February 2014 }}, National Parks, Mukurthi National Park. Retrieved 17 April 2007</ref>

==See also==
{{commons category}}
*[https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Mukurthi&w=all 100+ Photographs of Mukurthi National Park on flickr.com]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* ''A Day in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve - A Lifescape To Experience'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNhDo1Mb4zE available] on YouTube.

{{Tourism in The Nilgiris}}
{{Protected areas of Tamil Nadu}}
{{National Parks of India}}

[[Category:National parks in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2001]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:South Western Ghats montane rain forests]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Nilgiris district]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]

Mukurthi National Park - Revision history

Sougataghosh: New.