Sigur Plateau - Revision history

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	\| nickname =		\| nickname =
	\| settlement_type = Reserve forest		\| settlement_type = Reserve forest
	\| image_skyline = Nilgiris ~~seen from Bokkapuram Tribal Reserve Forest~~.jpg		\| image_skyline = Tea plantations near Masinagudi, Nilgiris.jpg
	\| image_alt =		\| image_alt =
	\| image_caption = Sigur Ghat		\| image_caption = Sigur Ghat
	\| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu		\| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu#India
	\| pushpin_label_position = right		\| pushpin_label_position = right
	\| pushpin_map_alt =		\| pushpin_map_alt =
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	{{cite news		{{cite news
	\|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/03/01/stories/2005030105690600.htm		\|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/03/01/stories/2005030105690600.htm
			\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125064509/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/03/01/stories/2005030105690600.htm
			\|url-status=usurped
			\|archive-date=25 January 2013
	\|author=G. Satyamurty		\|author=G. Satyamurty
	\|publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd\|date= 2008-12-24		\|publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd\|date= 2008-12-24
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	==Flora and fauna==		==Flora and fauna==
	[[File:~~Western ghats rainforest, nilgiris~~.jpg\|thumb\|Forest in the Sigur plateau ]]		[[File:Forest in Silent Valley National Park - panoramio.jpg\|thumb\|Forest after the rains in the Sigur plateau]]
	The dominant forest type found here is [[Tropical rainforest]]. [[Montane forests]], [[Tropical dry forests]] and [[Tropical moist forests]] are also found here. Some of the higher elevations of the plateau have [[montane grassland]] habitats.<ref name="Sigur" /> These forests are a haven to many endangered animals in the Western Ghats.		The dominant forest type found here is [[Tropical rainforest]]. [[Montane forests]], [[Tropical dry forests]] and [[Tropical moist forests]] are also found here. Some of the higher elevations of the plateau have [[montane grassland]] habitats.<ref name="Sigur" /> These forests are a haven to many endangered animals in the Western Ghats.
	[[File:Muthumalai by N A Nazeer.jpg\|thumb\|~~{{QI seal\|size=15}}~~ Tiger in Mudumalai, April 2008 ]]		[[File:Muthumalai by N A Nazeer.jpg\|thumb\|Tiger in Mudumalai, April 2008 ]]
	The Sigur river valley acts as a crucial micro-habitat for [[herbivores]], especially [[Indian elephant\|elephants]], [[gaur]] and [[sambar (deer)\|sambar]] and carnivores such as [[Bengal tiger\|tiger]], [[leopard]], [[Dhole\|wild dog]] (dhole), [[sloth bear]] and [[striped hyaena]] for feeding, resting and denning. Smaller carnivores such as [[palm civet]], [[small Indian civet]], [[jungle cat]], [[jackal]] and several species of [[mongoose]] also use this valley intensively for feeding, resting and denning.<ref name="Lush"/>		The Sigur river valley acts as a crucial micro-habitat for [[herbivores]], especially [[Indian elephant\|elephants]], [[gaur]] and [[sambar (deer)\|sambar]] and carnivores such as [[Bengal tiger\|tiger]], [[leopard]], [[Dhole\|wild dog]] (dhole), [[sloth bear]] and [[striped hyaena]] for feeding, resting and denning. Smaller carnivores such as [[palm civet]], [[small Indian civet]], [[jungle cat]], [[jackal]] and several species of [[mongoose]] also use this valley intensively for feeding, resting and denning.<ref name="Lush"/>

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	==Conservation==		==Conservation==
	[[File:Elephant Female and Calf Mudumalai Mar21 DSC01384.jpg\|thumb\|~~{{QI seal\|size=15}}~~ Female elephant and calf, Mudumalai, Mar '21]]		[[File:Elephant Female and Calf Mudumalai Mar21 DSC01384.jpg\|thumb\|Female elephant and calf, Mudumalai, Mar '21]]
	The Sigur Plateau has played a significant role in the mixing of elephant populations in the Western and Eastern Ghats. There is a considerable gene flow between the nearly 2,000 elephants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the 1,800 in the Eastern Ghats, especially [[Sathyamangalam Wildllife Sanctuary\|Sathyamangalam]]. Due to the Sigur [[wildlife corridor]], the entire area has the highest elephant population in India.<ref name="corridors2">		The Sigur Plateau has played a significant role in the mixing of elephant populations in the Western and Eastern Ghats. There is a considerable gene flow between the nearly 2,000 elephants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the 1,800 in the Eastern Ghats, especially [[Sathyamangalam Wildllife Sanctuary\|Sathyamangalam]]. Due to the Sigur [[wildlife corridor]], the entire area has the highest elephant population in India.<ref name="corridors2">
	{{citation		{{citation
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	==Culture==		==Culture==
	[[File:Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple Peepul NE View Nilgiris Mar21 A7C 00587.jpg\|thumb\|~~[[File:Valued image seal.svg\|15px]]{{QI seal\|size=15}}~~ Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple, Nilgiris in background, Mar '21]]		[[File:Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple Peepul NE View Nilgiris Mar21 A7C 00587.jpg\|thumb\|Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple, Nilgiris in background, Mar '21]]
	These forests are home to indigenous tribal people belonging largely to the Kasaba sub-group of the [[Irular]] community.<ref name="NBRind">		These forests are home to indigenous tribal people belonging largely to the Kasaba sub-group of the [[Irular]] community.<ref name="NBRind">
	{{citation		{{citation
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	}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/OOTY.HTM Oothacamund]. Nilgiris District Administration, India.</ref>		}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/OOTY.HTM Oothacamund]. Nilgiris District Administration, India.</ref>
	[[File:MNP Forest Rest House-Theppakadu.JPG\|thumb\|Forest Rest House -''Theppakadu Log House'']]		[[File:MNP Forest Rest House-Theppakadu.JPG\|thumb\|Forest Rest House -''Theppakadu Log House'']]
	[[File:Theppakadu Log House Sign Mudumalai Mar21 A7C 00436.jpg\|thumb\|~~{{QI seal\|size=15}}~~ Theppakadu Log House sign, Mar '21]]		[[File:Theppakadu Log House Sign Mudumalai Mar21 A7C 00436.jpg\|thumb\|Theppakadu Log House sign, Mar '21]]
	There are at least 66 [[tourist]] [[resort]]s catering to [[wildlife tourism]], especially in the areas of [[Masinagudi]] and [[Bokkapuram]].<ref>R. Sundararaju, pp. 7, 49-52</ref> Other important tourist villages are [[Chadpatti]], [[Mavanhalla]], [[Valaithottum]] and Singara. There are also many unauthorised small [[homestay]]s operating. Tourist facilities in these six villages cover {{convert\|791\|acres\|km2\|1\|abbr=on}}. Half of		There are at least 66 [[tourist]] [[resort]]s catering to [[wildlife tourism]], especially in the areas of [[Masinagudi]] and [[Bokkapuram]].<ref>R. Sundararaju, pp. 7, 49-52</ref> Other important tourist villages are [[Chadpatti]], [[Mavanhalla]], [[Valaithottum]] and Singara. There are also many unauthorised small [[homestay]]s operating. Tourist facilities in these six villages cover {{convert\|791\|acres\|km2\|1\|abbr=on}}. Half of
	the facilities charge less than Rs 500 per night. In 2008, close to 73,000 people stayed at the tourist resorts on the Sigur Plateau with around 58% of these tourists coming just to see the wildlife. Of the 55 tourist facilities on the plateau only two had legally run bars, however, most of the facilities do serve alcohol to their guests. 69% of private facilities have a boundary connection to government revenue land or reserve forest and 91% are fenced, usually with [[Electric fence\|electrified fence]]. There are 11 government tourist facilities within Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary or within reserve forest or revenue land and none of them are fenced.<ref name="WWF">{{cite web		the facilities charge less than Rs 500 per night. In 2008, close to 73,000 people stayed at the tourist resorts on the Sigur Plateau with around 58% of these tourists coming just to see the wildlife. Of the 55 tourist facilities on the plateau only two had legally run bars, however, most of the facilities do serve alcohol to their guests. 69% of private facilities have a boundary connection to government revenue land or reserve forest and 91% are fenced, usually with [[Electric fence\|electrified fence]]. There are 11 government tourist facilities within Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary or within reserve forest or revenue land and none of them are fenced.<ref name="WWF">{{cite web

imported>Shaan Vinoth at 15:16, 30 August 2021

2021-08-30T15:16:22Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sigur Plateau
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Nilgiri North Division
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Reserve forest
| image_skyline = Nilgiris seen from Bokkapuram Tribal Reserve Forest.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Sigur Ghat
| pushpin_map = India Tamil Nadu
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Tamil Nadu, India
| coordinates = {{coord|11|31|3|N|76|47|16|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Nilgiri Hills]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = '''[[Nilgiri District|Nilgiri]]'''
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes = <ref name="ReferenceA">Dr. V. S. Vijayan p.32, Annexe Table 1: Statewise breakup of the various forest administrative units forming part of the NBR</ref>
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 778.8
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 900
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Ootacamund]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[IUCN protected area categories|IUCN category]]
| blank2_info_sec1 = VI
| blank3_name_sec1 = Adjacent to
| blank3_info_sec1 = ''' W-[[Mudumalai National Park]] & [[Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary]],
NW [[Bandipur National Park]] & [[Nagarhole National Park]], N-[[Mysore District]],
NE-[[Sathyamangalam Wildllife Sanctuary]] & [[Biligiriranga Hills|Biligiriranga Hills Wildlife Sanctuary]], S-[[Ootacamund]].
| blank4_name_sec1 = Governing body
| blank4_info_sec1 = Tamil Nadu Forest Dept<ref>[http://www.forests.tn.nic.in] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020195613/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/ |date=2013-10-20 }}</ref>
| blank5_name_sec1 = Topographic map
| blank5_info_sec1 = [[:File:Nilgiri Hills Topo.jpg|Nilgiri North Reserved forests]]
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Climate of India|Climate]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Climatic regions of India|Am]] <small>([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]])</small>
| blank2_name_sec2 = Avg. summer temperature
| blank2_info_sec2 = {{convert|32|°C|°F}}
| blank3_name_sec2 = Avg. winter temperature
| blank3_info_sec2 = {{convert|10|°C|°F}}
| website = {{URL|www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/sigur-water-project/sigur-region}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Sigur Plateau''' ('''Segur Plateau''') is a [[plateau]] in the north and east of [[Nilgiri District]] in the [[Nilgiri Hills]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[South India]]. It covers the {{convert|778.8|km2|sqmi|1}} portion of the [[Moyar River]] [[drainage basin]] on the northern slopes of the [[Nilgiri Hills]], south of the Moyar River.<ref name="prasad">
{{citation
|url=http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/publications/technical-papers/1.pdf
|title=The Sigur Water Resources Project 2007
|work=International Seminar on Water: Spatial Dynamics, Competitive Claims & Governance
|publisher=Keystone Foundation
|page= 4. Table 1
|accessdate=2011-01-26
|author1=Senthil Prasad |author2=Pratim Roy
|name-list-style=amp |year=2007
}}</ref>

The Sigur Plateau is notable as an important [[wildlife corridor]] in the [[Western Ghats|Western ghats]] to sustain elephant and tiger numbers and their [[genetic diversity]].<ref name="Ariv">
{{citation
|url=http://ijbtjournal.com/Documents/Vol.%20No.1(special)15-22.pdf
|title= Conservation perspective of Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Tamil Nadu, Southern India
|work=International Journal of Biological Technology (IJBT)
|publisher=Gayathri Teknological Publication
|volume= 1 (Special Issue)
|pages= 17, 18
|accessdate=2011-02-15
|author=C. Arivazhagan and B.Ramakrishnan
|issn= 0976-4313
|date=
}}</ref>

It is an important link between several contiguous [[protected areas]] forming the [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], the largest protected forest area in India. This area supports over 6,300 elephants,<ref name="TFDexpert">
{{citation
|url=http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/graphics/Expert_Committee_Report.pdf
|title= REPORT OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE FORMED IN PURSUANCE OF THE DIRECTION OF THE HON'BLE HIGH COURT IN W.P.NO.10098/2008, 2762 & 2839 of 2009.
|page= 6
|author=R. Sundararaju, I.F.S., Chairman of the experts committee, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden
|publisher=Tamil Nadu Forest Department
|date=2009-10-13
|place=Chennai
|accessdate=2011-01-28
}}</ref> that represents the largest single population of [[Indian elephant|elephants]] and [[Bengal tiger|tigers]] in India.<ref name="expert">
{{cite news
|url=https://soas.academia.edu/taghioff/Papers/206025/Can_a_Tiger_Change_Its_Stripes_The_Politics_of_Conservation_as_Translated_in_Mudumalai
|author1=Ajit Menon |author2=Daniel Taghioff |publisher=Academia.edu
|title=Can a Tiger Change Its Stripes? The Politics of Conservation as Translated in Mudumalai
|date=2010-07-10
|work=Economic and Political Weekly
|accessdate=2011-01-05
}}</ref>

The [[Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve]], which includes Sigur Plateau and the Nilgiri Hills, is part of the [[UNESCO]] [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]].<ref name="UNESCO">
{{citation
|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/
|work=World Heritage sites, Tentative lists
|title= Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. (Including the Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Wayanad and Bandipur national parks)
|publisher=UNESCO
|accessdate=2007-04-20
}}</ref> The [[Western Ghats]], the Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (more than {{convert|6000|km2|sqmi|1}}), including all of [[Mudumalai National Park]] and the reserve forests of the Sigur Plateau, is under consideration by the [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Committee for selection as a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCO" />

A proposal has been initiated to notify Sigur and adjoining forest areas as a [[Wildlife Sanctuaries in India|wildlife sanctuary]] for [[Vultures]].<ref name="vultures"/>
[[File:Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.jpg|thumb|left|Map of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, showing Sigur Plateau (Nilgiris North) in relation to multiple contiguous protected areas]]

==History==
In the late 1700s, [[Tipu Sultan]] maintained a fort and trading route between the [[Kingdom of Mysore]] and [[Travancore]], along the Moyar River here.<ref name="saty 2">
{{cite news
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/03/01/stories/2005030105690600.htm
|author=G. Satyamurty
|publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd|date= 2008-12-24
|title=Tipu Sultan's Sathyamangalam connection
|work=The Hindu
|accessdate=2011-01-05
}}</ref>

In May 1859, a small monthly sanction was granted by the Government for the conservation and working of Sigur Forest. With only a small a sum to commence with, it was some time before any wood could be collected. However, the means for working the forest on a larger scale were obtained by an early sale of sandal wood,<ref name="Claghorn">
{{citation|author=Cleghorn, Hugh Francis Clarke|title=The forests and gardens of South India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZbC9FY1JqIC&pg=PA109|work=|page=109, APPENDIX (D). SIGUR FOREST|year=1861|publisher=W. H. Allen, 1861}}</ref>
However, by this time the [[Conservator of Forests]] of [[Madras Presidency]], [[Hugh Francis Cleghorn|Dr. Hugh Cleghorn]] stated that "This forest has been much exhausted by a succession of unscrupulous contractors, and there is very little [[teak]] or [[Dalbergia latifolia|Bombay Blackwood]] (Rosewood) at present fit for felling. It is important that the forest should be allowed to recover, as it is the main source of supply to [[Ootacamund|Utakamund]] for house-building purposes."<ref>Cleghorn, p. 36</ref>

In 1954, a young [[man-eater|man-eating]] male [[Bengal tiger]] named the "[[Tiger of Segur]]" killed 5 people between Sigur and Anaikatty villages in the Sigur Plateau.<ref name="Anderson">
{{citation|author=Kenneth Anderson|title=The Man-Eater of Segur|work=Nine Man-Eaters and One Rogue|year=1955|publisher=Allen & Unwin}}</ref> In 1954, the tiger was still classified as vermin in the Nilgiri Hills. As agriculture expanded and tiger habitat shrank, Tamil Nadu stopped all tiger hunting in the Sigur reserve in 1965.<ref name="saty">
{{citation
|url=https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Tiger+%22Sigur+reserve%22&btnG=Search&aql=
|author=C. Chari
|publisher=Perspective Publications
|year= 1998
|title=The Book review, Volumes 22-23
|work=
|accessdate=2011-01-26
}}</ref>

On 26 August 2010, [[Jairam Ramesh]] the [[India]]n [[Council of Ministers of the Republic of India#Minister of State .28Independent Charges.29|Minister of State]] for [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Environment and Forests]] asked [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]] [[M Karunanidhi]] for the Tamil Nadu government to favourably consider a proposal from his ministry to declare the Sigur Plateau in the Nilgiris as a [[buffer zone]] of the Mudumalai National Park.<ref name="MOEF">
{{citation|author=Jairam Ramesh|title=No. PS-MS (NTCA)/2010/Miscs. to M. Karunanidhi|date=2010-07-15|url=http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/tamilnadu-260810.pdf|place=New Delhi|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests|accessdate=2011-01-27}}</ref><ref name="Ramesh">
{{cite news|author=K A Shaji|date=2010-10-05|title=Expand Mudumalai buffer zone, Jairam tells TN|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-05/chennai/28269576_1_buffer-zone-mudumalai-tiger-reserve-sathyamangalam-forests|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104134740/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-05/chennai/28269576_1_buffer-zone-mudumalai-tiger-reserve-sathyamangalam-forests|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-11-04|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=2011-01-26}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:NBR Protected areas map.jpg|thumb|left|Segar Plateau in relation to other protected areas in Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve]]
[[File:MNP Moyer River.JPG|thumb|Moyer River at Theppakadu]]
[[File:MNP Elephant close.JPG|thumb|Working elephant at Theppakadu Elephant camp]]
Sigur Plateau comprises about {{convert|448.3|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}} [[reserve forest]]s of the Nilgiris North Forest Division, the {{convert|321|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}} [[Mudumalai National Park]] and about {{convert|16.2|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}} of private lands.<ref name="prasad2"/>
The Nilgiris North Forest Division includes the Sigur Range {{convert|257.3|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}}, Coonoor Range{{convert|176.7|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}} and the Udhagai North Range {{convert|14.3|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}},<ref name="ReferenceA"/> which are in turn divided into the Kambatti reserve forest, the Sigur reserve forest, the [[Kalhatti]] Slopes reserve forest, the [[Singara (Tamil Nadu)|Singara]] reserve forest, [[Bokkapuram]] reserve forest, Moyar reserve forest and [[Northern Hay]] reserve forest.<ref name="waterport forests">
{{citation
|url=http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Sigur%20Forests.jpg/view
|title=Sigur Forests.jpg
|author=Keystone Foundation
|publisher=Nilgiris Water Portal
|work=Maps
|date=2007-12-16
|accessdate=2011-01-26
}}</ref>

Sigur Plateau is located adjoining the [[Bandipur National Park]] to the northwest, [[Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary]] to the west, and [[Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (pro)|Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary]] and Nilgiris East ranges to the east. The north side of the plateau is defined by the [[Moyar River]] and the {{convert|260|m|ft|0}} deep Moyar Gorge.<ref name="Johnsingh">
{{citation
|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EU3inCiGFYYC&q=%22moyar+gorge&pg=PA66
|title=Field days: a naturalist's journey through South and Southeast Asia
|author=A. J. T. Johnsingh
|page=66
|chapter=Bandipur Tiger Reserve
|publisher=Universities Press
|work=
|year= 2006
|accessdate=2011-01-30
|isbn=9788173715525
}}</ref>
South of the Sigur Plateau is the higher Nilgiris Plateau.<ref name="Sigur"/>

Across the Moyar River, the Sigur Plateau is adjacent on the north to the Mysore Plateau, referred to as the Talamalai Range, bordered on the west by [[Nilgiri District]], north by [[Mysore District]], east by the [[Sathyamangalam Wildllife Sanctuary|Sattyamangalam Range]] and south by the Moyar River and Gorge.<ref name="Lush">
{{cite book
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jg1EAAAAIAAJ&q=%22Hill+Forests+of+North+Coimbatore%22&pg=PA134
|author1=A. W. Lushington |author2=Deputy Conservator of Forests |publisher=Kasturi and Sons Ltd
|date= January 1902
|title=Hill Forests of North, Coimbatore
|work=The Indian Forester
|volume= 28
|pages=135–150
|accessdate=2011-01-05
}}</ref>

Elevation in the plateau ranges from {{convert|280|m|ft|0}} at the [[Bhavanisagar Dam|Bhavani Sagar Reservoir]] and increases in the west to {{convert|1880|m|ft|0}} at [[Nilgiri Hills#List of peaks in the Nilgiri Hills|Konabetta Peak]] (Sigur Peak).{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The five major streams in the Sigur plateau are the Moyar River, the [[Sigur River]], the [[Avarahalla River]], the [[Kedarhalla River]] and the [[Gundattihalla River]], which originate in the Nilgiris plateau.<ref name="Sigur">
{{citation
|url=http://www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com/landscape/83-plateau/234-sigur-plateau.html
|title=Sigur Plateau
|work=NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE a biodiversity hotspot
|publisher=nilgiribiospherereserve.com
|date=
|accessdate=2011-01-26
}}</ref>
The Sigur Plateau is an important [[Drainage divide|watershed]] area for the [[Cauvery River]] and its ecological health is important to the many people dependent on the Cauvery.<ref>R. Sundararaju, p. 3</ref>

The [[Nilgiri Ghat Roads#Sigur Ghat .28State Highway 67.29|Sigur Ghat Road]] (SH 67) crosses the Sigur Plateau for {{convert|33|km|mi|1}} from [[Ooty]] to [[Theppakadu]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

==Climate==
The Sigur region is known for its moderate and pleasant climate. Average daytime temperatures vary from {{convert|32|C|F|1}} in summer to {{convert|10|C|F|1}} in Winter. Rainfall is locally variable, with the western part of the plateau lying in a rain shadow region, receiving less than {{convert|500|mm|in|1}} annually, while the east part receives more than {{convert|1000|mm|in|1}} of rainfall.<ref name="Sigur"/>

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Western ghats rainforest, nilgiris.jpg|thumb|Forest in the Sigur plateau ]]
The dominant forest type found here is [[Tropical rainforest]]. [[Montane forests]], [[Tropical dry forests]] and [[Tropical moist forests]] are also found here. Some of the higher elevations of the plateau have [[montane grassland]] habitats.<ref name="Sigur" /> These forests are a haven to many endangered animals in the Western Ghats.
[[File:Muthumalai by N A Nazeer.jpg|thumb|{{QI seal|size=15}} Tiger in Mudumalai, April 2008 ]]
The Sigur river valley acts as a crucial micro-habitat for [[herbivores]], especially [[Indian elephant|elephants]], [[gaur]] and [[sambar (deer)|sambar]] and carnivores such as [[Bengal tiger|tiger]], [[leopard]], [[Dhole|wild dog]] (dhole), [[sloth bear]] and [[striped hyaena]] for feeding, resting and denning. Smaller carnivores such as [[palm civet]], [[small Indian civet]], [[jungle cat]], [[jackal]] and several species of [[mongoose]] also use this valley intensively for feeding, resting and denning.<ref name="Lush"/>

Of the nine species of Vultures which exist in India, the [[critically endangered]] [[white-rumped vulture]], [[long-billed vulture]] and king vulture (or) [[red-headed vulture]] and the [[endangered species|endangered]] [[Egyptian vulture]] have been documented in the forests of Nilgiris [[Western Ghats]] landscape, which comprises the Sigur and Moyar Valleys. A proposal has been initiated to notify Sigur and adjoining forest areas as a wildlife sanctuary for vultures.<ref name="vultures">
{{citation
|url=http://nwea.in/research/conservation-strategies-for-vultures-in-nbr.html
|title=Conservation Strategies for Vultures in Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve
|author=Jayaprkash, .C.R.
|work=Workshop Report
|publisher=Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association
|date=2011-11-02
|accessdate=2011-11-05
}}</ref>

==Conservation==
[[File:Elephant Female and Calf Mudumalai Mar21 DSC01384.jpg|thumb|{{QI seal|size=15}} Female elephant and calf, Mudumalai, Mar '21]]
The Sigur Plateau has played a significant role in the mixing of elephant populations in the Western and Eastern Ghats. There is a considerable gene flow between the nearly 2,000 elephants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and the 1,800 in the Eastern Ghats, especially [[Sathyamangalam Wildllife Sanctuary|Sathyamangalam]]. Due to the Sigur [[wildlife corridor]], the entire area has the highest elephant population in India.<ref name="corridors2">
{{citation
|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001137/113753eo.pdf
|title=The Nilgjris Biosphere Reserve (India), Working Paper No. 16
|author1=V. S. Vijayan |author2=R.J. Ranjit Daniels |publisher=UNESCO - South-South Co-operation Programme for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development in the Humid Tropics.
|work=
|pages=15, 2.2.1.Intrinsic threats 2. Cattle
|year=1995
|accessdate=2011-01-27
}}</ref> The Sigur Plateau contains several discrete elephant migration corridors, including: Kallar Elephant Corridor, Anaikatty Elephant Corridor, Vazhikadavu Elephant Corridor, Glencorin Elephant Corridor, Kaniyanpura - Moyar Elephant Corridor, Masinagudi-Moyar Elephant Corridor, Singara-Masinagudi Elephant Corridor, Mavinhalla-Chemmanatham Elephant Corridor and Greater Moyar Valley Corridor.<ref name="corridors">
{{citation
|url=http://www.nilgiribiospherereserve.com/landscape/86-wildlife-corridors.html
|title=Wildlife Corridors
|work=NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE a biodiversity hotspot
|publisher=nilgiribiospherereserve.com
|date=
|accessdate=2011-01-29
}}</ref>

In 2010, Jairam Ramesh, Minister for Environment and Forests, stated to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu that "adding the Segur Plateau as a buffer to Mudumalai would strengthen the population status of tiger, its co-predators and prey in the landscape".<ref name="JR"/><ref name="CBB">
{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2010/12/05/stories/2010120550160500.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207142514/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2010/12/05/stories/2010120550160500.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=2010-12-07
|author=C.R. Biloy
|date= 2010-04-01
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|title=Good news for the tiger?
|accessdate=2011-01-02
}}</ref>
The Tamil Nadu state government will initiate efforts to declare The Sigur Plateau as a [[buffer zone]] to Mudumalai National Park due to its importance as a [[wildlife corridor]] between the [[Western ghats]] and the [[Eastern Ghats]]. This sanctuary declaration is expected to bolster wildlife conservation efforts, as the sanctuary managers will get financial support from the central government under [[Project Tiger]].<ref name="JR">
{{citation
|url=http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/tamilnadu-260810.pdf
|title=letter to M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
|last=[[Jairam Ramesh]], [[India]]n [[Minister of State]] for [[Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|, Environment and Forests]]
|date=2010-08-26
|publisher=Ministry of Environment and Forests
|accessdate=2011-01-05
}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple Peepul NE View Nilgiris Mar21 A7C 00587.jpg|thumb|[[File:Valued image seal.svg|15px]]{{QI seal|size=15}} Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple, Nilgiris in background, Mar '21]]
These forests are home to indigenous tribal people belonging largely to the Kasaba sub-group of the [[Irular]] community.<ref name="NBRind">
{{citation
|url=http://nnhs.in/category/resources-and-links
|title=Indigenous communities of the NBR
|author1=Keystone Foundation |author2=Rev. PK Mulley
|name-list-style=amp |publisher=Nilgiri Natural History Society
|work=Resources
|year=2005
|accessdate=2011-01-25
}}</ref> There are several tribal villages in the Sigur plateau. They include, from east to west: [[Sigur]], [[Anaikatti]], [[Chokkanalli]], [[Vazhaithottam]], [[Sholur]], Masinagudi, [[Boothanatham]], [[Mavanhalla]], [[Bokkapuram]], [[Hundi Moyar]], Singhara, [[Tippakadu]], [[Siriyur]], [[Chamanatham]] and [[Kurumbarpallam]].<ref name="prasad2">
{{citation
|url=http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/publications/technical-papers/1.pdf
|title=The Sigur Water Resources Project 2007
|work=International Seminar on Water: Spatial Dynamics, Competitive Claims & Governance
|publisher=Keystone Foundation
|page=8. Graph 1. Total Land Holdings at Sigur – Village wise
|accessdate=2011-01-26
|author1=Senthil Prasad |author2=Pratim Roy
|name-list-style=amp |year=2007
}}</ref><ref name="waterport">
{{citation
|url=http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Villages%20in%20Sigur.jpg/view
|title=Villages in Sigur.jpg
|author=Keystone Foundation
|publisher=Nilgiris Water Portal
|work=Maps
|date=2007-12-16
|accessdate=2011-01-26
}}</ref> The Bokkapuram Mariamman Temple is the venue of an annual 5-day car festival. This draws hundreds to thousands of devotees.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ravichandran|first=B.|date=13 Mar 2019|title=Ooty: Five-day festival at jungle temple in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve ends|work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/130319/ooty-five-day-festival-at-jungle-temple-in-mudumalai-tiger-reserve-e.html|access-date=16 Apr 2021}}</ref>

The forests of Sigur, Singara and Nilgiris East ranges were also the territory of the notororius Indian bandit [[Koose Muniswamy Veerapan]], who made a living [[poaching]] [[ivory]] and [[sandalwood]] from the forests and selling them on the black market. Much to the relief of local residents, officials and tourists, Veerapan was killed by Tamil Nadu Government in October 2004.<ref name="veer">
{{citation
|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/57312/
|title=Freedom from terror in 'Veerappan corridors'
|work=The Indian Express
|publisher=The Indian Express Limited
|page=
|accessdate=2011-01-29
|author=R. Haldorai
|date=2004-10-20
}}</ref>

==Threats==
[[File:LantanaFlowerLeaves-3.jpg|thumb|Invasive weed - Lantana camera]]
There are several major threats to the Sigur area caused mostly by expanding human population.<ref name="R. Sundararaju, p. 4">R. Sundararaju, p. 4</ref> These are cattle grazing, coffee and tea plantations and other crops cultivation, private tourist resorts, [[Invasive species|Invasive weeds]], fuel wood collection, non-timber forest products (NTFP) collection, legal status of the corridor, and vehicular traffic particularly during night hours.<ref>R. Sundararaju, p. 4, 32, 34, 35</ref> An estimated 1,801 tons of firewood are collected from the Sigur Plateau annually.<ref name="R. Sundararaju, p. 4"/> Weed species, especially [[Lantana camara]] but also [[Parthenium]], [[Stachytarpheta]] indica, [[Dodonaea viscosa]], [[Euphorbia|Euphorbia antiquorum]], and [[Opuntia stricta|Opuntia dillennii]] are widely distributed and are invading and degrading the quality of [[forage]] on the plateau.<ref>R. Sundararaju, pp. 5, 32</ref> The major impact of private resorts on the corridor areas are: fragmentation and destruction of habitats due to invasion of unpalatable weeds, loss of forest connectivity between habitats due new buildings construction and agriculture fields, including installation of barbed wire and electric fences, increasing rate of dependence by local communities on natural resources for fuel wood collection, cattle grazing, fresh water supply and waste disposal.<ref>R. Sundararaju, pp. 7, 49-60</ref>

==Visitor activities==
[[File:Mudumalai elephant.jpg|right|thumb|An elephant at the Theppakadu elephant camp]]
There are many visitor attractions in the Mudumalai park. Scenic spots are the Chief Minister's Watchtower, the view point at Kargudi, the Ombetta Lake and the Safari Van rides on Sand Road, Circular Road, Manradiar Road, Jayadev Avenue and Bombax Road. The public roads: Kakkanalli – Torapalli road, Teppakkadu – Masanagudi road and Moyar – Masanagudi road are also rewarding places to see wild life in the Sanctuary. The Moyar River running through a dense forest is a good place to see animals when they come to drink water from the river. The Moyar River Gorge, also called the Moyar Canyon, is a dramatic {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} long gorge which plunges into the gorge below Theppakadu in a roaring water-fall popularly known as Moyar falls.<ref name="Dogra">Dogra, IFS, Rakesh Kumar, Wildlife Warden, ''Plan for Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (2007-08 to 2016-17)'' Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Mount Stuart Hill, Udhagamandalam-643 001, Tamil Nadu, India</ref>

Good wildlife sighting opportunities are the Elephant Safari and Van Safari, conducted by the [[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]] departing from park headquarters at Theppakadu. One can interact with working elephants and see how they are fed at the Elephant Feeding Camp in Theppakadu. The captive elephants in the sanctuary are no longer used for timber extraction work. The elephants are now engaged mainly for [[Eco-tourism]], patrolling for anti poaching operations, to control [[Human-wildlife conflict|Man-Elephant conflict]] outside the sanctuary and as a conservation and training center for elephants which can be visited by public. Specimens of some animals who once lived in the Mudumalai Jungle are preserved in a museum near the Elephant feeding camp. [[Kallatty falls]], located{{convert|30|km|mi|1}} from Theppakadu, is a waterfall with a scenic view.<ref name="MWSNP">
{{cite web
|url = http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_mnp.html
|title = MUDUMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & NATIONAL PARK
|work = Wild Biodiversity
|publisher = TamilNadu Forest Department
|accessdate = 2009-10-30
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090409230910/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_mnp.html
|archivedate = 2009-04-09
}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/OOTY.HTM Oothacamund]. Nilgiris District Administration, India.</ref>
[[File:MNP Forest Rest House-Theppakadu.JPG|thumb|Forest Rest House -''Theppakadu Log House'']]
[[File:Theppakadu Log House Sign Mudumalai Mar21 A7C 00436.jpg|thumb|{{QI seal|size=15}} Theppakadu Log House sign, Mar '21]]
There are at least 66 [[tourist]] [[resort]]s catering to [[wildlife tourism]], especially in the areas of [[Masinagudi]] and [[Bokkapuram]].<ref>R. Sundararaju, pp. 7, 49-52</ref> Other important tourist villages are [[Chadpatti]], [[Mavanhalla]], [[Valaithottum]] and Singara. There are also many unauthorised small [[homestay]]s operating. Tourist facilities in these six villages cover {{convert|791|acres|km2|1|abbr=on}}. Half of
the facilities charge less than Rs 500 per night. In 2008, close to 73,000 people stayed at the tourist resorts on the Sigur Plateau with around 58% of these tourists coming just to see the wildlife. Of the 55 tourist facilities on the plateau only two had legally run bars, however, most of the facilities do serve alcohol to their guests. 69% of private facilities have a boundary connection to government revenue land or reserve forest and 91% are fenced, usually with [[Electric fence|electrified fence]]. There are 11 government tourist facilities within Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary or within reserve forest or revenue land and none of them are fenced.<ref name="WWF">{{cite web
|url=http://assets.wwfindia.org/downloads/status_assessment_of_tourism_on_the_sigur_plateau.pdf
|title= Status Assessment of Tourism on the Sigur Plateau, Tamil Nadu, Impacts and Recommendations
|publisher=Nilgiri and Eastern Ghats Landscape Office of [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]]
|date= February 2009
|author=Inneke A Nathan
|accessdate=2009-10-30
}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|3}}
R.Venkitachalam (2014)Status and Distribution of the Endangered resident Gyps Vulture species in Nilgiri Bio-sphere Reserve, Western Ghats in India.WWF-Final Report.pp 21

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files 12 maps] of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Major%20Landuse%20in%20Sigur%20Plateau.jpg/image_view_fullscreenMajor land use] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Physiography%20map%20of%20Sigur.jpg/image_view_fullscreenPhysical geography] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Physiography%20-%20Settlements.jpg/image_view_fullscreenPhysiography & settlements] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Sigur%20Drainage%20Map.jpg/image_view_fullscreen Rivers and streams (halla)] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Sigur%20Forests.jpg/image_view_fullscreen Forests & land use] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Villages%20in%20Sigur.jpg/image_view_fullscreen Villages] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Wells%20-%20GLRs%20Map.jpg/image_view_fullscreen Wells & GLR's] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Water%20avalability%20in%20sampled%20villages.jpg/image_view_fullscreenWater availability in villages] map of Sigur Plateau
**[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/jpg-files/Jenu%20kurumbas%20of%20SIGUR.jpg/image_view_fullscreen Jenu Kurumba tribe villages] map of Sigur Plateau
*[http://www.nilgiriswaterportal.in/data%20and%20resources/downloads/DOWNLOADS%20Sigur%20Water%20Project.pdf Report – Study on Water Resources in the Sigur Plateau ]

{{Plateaus of india}}
{{Western Ghats}}
{{Protected Areas of India}}

[[Category:Nilgiris district]]
[[Category:Landforms of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Plateaus of India]]