imported>Brewster239: Reverted 1 edit by 103.78.18.206 (talk) to last revision by 122.167.38.28

2021-08-09T13:01:41Z

Reverted 1 edit by 103.78.18.206 (talk) to last revision by 122.167.38.28

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name =Pampadum Shola National Park പാമ്പാടും ഷോല വന്യജീവി സംരക്ഷ്ണ കേന്ദ്രം
| iucn_category = II
| photo = Pampadumshola.jpg
| photo_alt = Wildlife sign at observation tower
| photo_caption =
| photo_width =
| map = Kerala
| label =Pampadum Shola NP
| label_position = left
| location =Near [[Vattavada]], [[Devikulam taluk]], [[Idukki district]], [[Kerala]], [[South India]]
| nearest_city = [[Marayoor]]
| established = 2003
| coordinates = {{coord|10|8|38|N|77|16|1|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area ={{convert|1.32|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|2}} '''Elevation:''' {{convert|1886|m|ft|sp=us}} to {{convert|2531|m|ft|sp=us}}
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [http://forest.kerala.gov.in Kerala State Forest and Wild Life Department ]}}

'''Pampadum Shola National Park''' is the smallest [[National parks of India|national park]] in [[Idukki district]] of [[Kerala]] in [[India]]. It is on the border with [[Dindigul district]] of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name="envis">{{cite web|url=http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/isbeid/forest.htm |last=Envis Kerala |year=2009 |title=Forest |publisher=Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment |access-date=2009-09-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311001130/http://www.kerenvis.nic.in/isbeid/forest.htm |archive-date=11 March 2008 }}</ref><ref>Online Highways LLC. (2004) India | Kerala | Devikulam
Pambadum Shola National Park, retrieved 6/4/2007 [http://www.india9.com/i9show/Pambadum-Shola-National-Park-57785.htm]</ref> The park is administered by the Kerala Department of Forests and Wildlife, Munnar Wildlife Division, together with the nearby [[Mathikettan Shola National Park]], [[Eravikulam National Park]], [[Anamudi Shola National Park]], [[Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary]] and the [[Kurinjimala Sanctuary]].<ref>K.S. Sudhi (3 November 2006) ''The Hindu'', retrieved 21 June 2007 ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930235251/http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/03/stories/2006110300820200.htm New lives bloom in] [[Rajamala]]''</ref> The park adjoins the Allinagaram Reserved Forest within the proposed [[Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park]].It is a part of [[Palani hills]] stretched up to [[Vandaravu]] peak. The Westerns Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including these parks, is under consideration by the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site#World Heritage Committee Session|World Heritage Committee]] for selection as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCO" >UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 [https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/ World Heritage sites, Tentative lists]</ref>

==Etymology==
The name´"Pampadum Shola" means, "the forest where the snake dances", derived from three [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] words, "paampu(പാംപ്)", which means "snake"; "aattam", means "dance"; and "chola(ചോല), means "grassy forests near the high range". "Shola" may be considered an anglicized version of "chola".

==Flora==
The park protects a moderate amount of montane evergreen shola forest that is associated with the wildlife rich Eravikulam National Park.<ref name="Ficus">{{cite web|url=http://ficuswildlife.com/Scheduled09_10/Pampadum_Shola_NP_files/Pampadum.pdf|title=Pampadum Shola National Park|year=2009|publisher=Ficus Wildlife & Natural History Tours.|access-date=2009-10-21|location=19 Maharani Chinnamba Road Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

There are various types of [[medicinal plants]] (herbs), of which studies have been made. After the forest range there are [[Eucalyptus grandis|grandis]] (a variety of [[eucalyptus]]) that threatens the ecology of the area due to its dehydrating and quick-spreading character. These trees as well as the private legal and illegal plantations of the same trees remain as a living danger. The eucalyptus trees (grandis) that eat up the unique eco-system is yet to be a consideration of the forestry. The national park with its unique richness of uncontaminated "humus", has been an interest of studies recently.

==Fauna==
[[File:Columba elphinstonii.jpg|thumb|Nilgiri wood-pigeon ([[vulnerable species|vulnerable]])]]
The [[keystone species]] here is the highly elusive and endangered, endemic small carnivore – the [[Nilgiri marten]]. [[Indian leopard|Leopard]]s and [[Dhole|Indian wild dog]]s are sometimes sighted at dusk or dawn,<ref name="Ficus"/> [[Bengal tiger|tigers]] are an important animal of the park.<ref>[http://expert-eyes.org/parks.html Mathew Roy, Kerala, Small National Parks]</ref> The Old [[Kodaikanal–Munnar Road]] nearby is closed due to the growing population of wildlife such as [[Indian elephant|elephant]]s, [[Wild Asian water buffalo|buffaloes]], [[lion tailed macaque]], [[gaur]] and [[Nilgiri langur]]s.

Some notable birds found here include the [[Nilgiri wood-pigeon]], [[white-bellied shortwing]], [[vernal hanging parrot]], [[blue rock-thrush]], [[blue-capped rock-thrush]] and [[Nilgiri flycatcher]], and [[black-and-orange flycatcher]]s.<ref name="Ficus"/>

==Visiting==
[[File:Pampadum Shola sign.jpg|thumb|Unauthorized Trekking Prohibited]]
[[File:Vandaravu tower+signs.jpg|thumb|Vandaravu lookout tower at Pampadum National Park]]
The Forest Department provides opportunity to experience the beauty of Pampadum Shola National Park to the curious tourists and research fellows. A special welcome board is placed at the entrance of the National Park, at the Check-post, which is 7 km before reaching [[Vattavada]]. These days the National Park is open to the tourists with payment, and the accompaniment of the forest officers, for the safety of the forest as well as of the people. The evergreen trees and the water sources become the habitat of various birds and animals. This thick green forest is situated almost 35 km away from Munnar, towards the road to Koviloor and Vattavada.

== Nearby villages ==
The adjacent villages beyond the National Park are [[Urkkad]], [[Vattavada]], [[Koviloor]], and [[Kottakamboor]], with its rich vegetable cultivations.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Pampadum Shola National Park}}

{{Protected areas of Kerala}}
{{National Parks of India}}

[[Category:National parks in Kerala]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2003]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Kerala]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Idukki district]]
[[Category:Geography of Idukki district]]

Pampadum Shola National Park - Revision history

imported>Brewster239: Reverted 1 edit by 103.78.18.206 (talk) to last revision by 122.167.38.28