Facts and Figures Area 321 sq km Languages Tamil, English Altitude 350-1,266 m above sea level Rainfall 1,420 mm Maximum Temperature 24.30°C Minimum Temperature 4.80°C Best time to visit June to September and October to December STD Code 0423 (Ooty)

INTRODUCTION
Nestled amidst the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, Mudumalai is a part of the greater Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in South India. The name Mudumalai stands for the ancient hill range that descends down to the Mysore plateau and contiguous with Bandipur forest reserve, which gives it wider access to elephants and gaurs. The approach to the sanctuary from Ooty is spectacular, twisting, and turning down 36 hairpin bends through wooded hills and past waterfalls.

LOCATION
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the northwestern corner of Tamil Nadu at a distance of around 80 km from Coimbatore and 64 km from Udhagamandalam (also Ooty). It is also a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve along with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala. The sanctuary extends from the latitude 11°32'-11°43' in the North to longitude 76°22'-76°45' in the East.

CLIMATE Despite its location in the Nilgiris, the climate of Mudumalai is different from the adjoining region. The summers (April to June) are hot while winters (December and January) are very cold. The western part of the sanctuary receives more rain than the eastern side during southwestern monsoon (June to September) while the eastern region receives more rain during the northwest monsoon (October to December). Overall, there is not much difference in the temperature. The park can be visited at most times of the year, but the best seasons are from March to June and September to October. FLORA AND FAUNA Flora: Mudumalai has three types of forests, i.e., tropical moist deciduous, tropical dry deciduous, and southern tropical thorn. Mixed vegetation types are also present in addition to the tropical moist deciduous forests in regions where rainfall is higher.

Tropical dry deciduous forests are limited to the eastern side of the forest but merges into thorn forest where rainfall is low. Southern tropical thorn forest or scrub jungles are present in parts of Avarihalla, Moyar, and Bokkapuram blocks. Thorny and fleshy species, both of which are xerophytic adaptations, are characteristic of this vegetation type. Narrow belts of riverine vegetation occur along stream banks, notably the Moyar. There are teak plantations, particularly in Benne Block, and a eucalyptus plantation in the Masinagudi area.

Fauna: Wildlife in Mudumalai is very similar to other sanctuaries in Nilgiris, but is richer in avifauna. The predominant faunal species in this region are bonnet macaque and common langur. Tigers and leopards are also denizens of this place but they are a rare sight. Other important species are giant squirrels, flying squirrels, elephants, gaurs, sambar, chital, barking deer, mouse deer.

The avifaunal species in the sanctuary include racket-tailed drongo, black woodpecker, parakeets, barbets, mynas, cuckoos, Malabar trogon, Malabar gray hornbill, crested hawk eagle, and crested serpent eagle.

PLACES NEARBY
Ooty:Situated amidst the blue mountains of the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu, Ooty is situated around 64 km from Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. It is an erstwhile British township that draws thousands of tourists every year by its sheer beauty.

Coimbatore: Coimbatore is an important industrial city situated at a distance of around 160 km from Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Being an important textile-manufacturing center in India, it is also known as the 'Manchester of South India'. There are more than a hundred textile mills in and around Coimbatore apart from a number of other manufacturing units, which produce engineering equipment and electronic items.

Bandipur National Park: Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the earliest tiger reserves in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the natural habitat of Asiatic elephants and tigers. The park has one of the best-planned road systems in Indian wildlife sanctuaries and forms a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. There are several other wildlife sanctuaries in the region, namely, Nagarhole, Wynad, and Mudumalai, all of which can be combined to create a single visit.

REACHING THERE
Coimbatore (160 km) is the nearest airport connected to many places in India like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kozhikode.

The nearest important railway station is Ooty (also Udhagamandalam) at a distance of 64 km. The sanctuary is well connected with other places in the region by good all-weather roads.

STAYING THERE
There is an elephant camp within the sanctuary called Theppakkadu. Accommodation is also available at Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation's Youth Hostel and rest houses in Masinagudi, Abhayaranayam and Kargudi and the Bamboo Banks Farm (18 km). For further information, contact the Wildlife Warden, Coonoor Road, Ooty (Udhagamandalam).

LINKS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Postal and phone facilities can be accessed at Masinagudi. Internet facilities are available at Ooty.

TRAVEL TIPS
For more information on Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, tourists may contact:

The Wildlife Warden
Mudumalai National Park
Mahalingam Building, Coonoor Road
Udhagamandalam 643 001