The Silent Valley National Park

The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats. The Valley exudes a quite grandeur, a mystery half revealed and half concealed that is part of a story older than mankind, for this rainforest probably dates back to 50 million years. Silently she beckons us to witness the marvelous exuberance of life that expresses itself in an incredible chaos of plants and animals and birds and insects. At the heart of her many songs is a still, deep silence which only those who tread softly and wait patiently may learn to hear. Located in the Nilgiri Mountain ranges, Silent Valley National Park is a wildlife paradise and boasts of lush green landscape and several wildlife species.

Along with Mukhurti National Park and Karimpuzha National Park, Silent Valley National Park forms the core of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Explored in 1847 by Robert Wight, the park remains one of the last undisturbed territories of south Western Ghats montane rainforests and tropical moist evergreen forests in the country.Environmentalists saved the rich ecological beauty of the National Park from destruction by protesting against the development of a hydroelectric power plant in the valley during 1970’s. On November 15, 1984, the area of the reserved forest was declared as a National Park.

The national park hosts over 1600 species of flora comprising mainly of evergreen and montane grasslands and over 858 species of fauna that includes 34 species of animals and about 500 species of butterflies and moths. It is also an excellent location for birdwatchers as the park is home to over 292 species of birds that include Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue winged parakeet, grey headed bulbul, white bellied blue flycatcher, broad tailed grass wabler, Nilgiri pipit, etc.The lion tailed macaque is the most popular attraction in Silent Valley National Park. Nilgiri langur, mouse deer, gaur, fishing cat, stripe necked mongoose, panther, etc. are some of the other exotic wildlife species found in the park.Snake lovers, if they are lucky, can be treated to the sight of cobra, King cobra, viper, rat snake and many other species of the slithery reptile.

 The beautiful Kunthi River which descends from an altitude of above 2000 feet from the Nilgiris passes through the national park. It is home to 13 species of fishes.Located at altitude ranging from 658 to 2383 metres and surrounded by high mountains, Silent Valley National Park enjoys salubrious climate.

How to Reach:

Nearest Railway Station : Palakkad, about 80 kms away

Nearest Airport : Coimbatore (in neighbouring Tamilnadu State), about 55 kms away