Pampadum Shola

Pampadum Shola

Pampadum Shola National Park lies in the eastern part of Southern Ghats of Kerala. A wildlife enthusiast’s destination, it is located about 35 km away from Munnar Town, on the way to Vattavada in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district. Declared as a National Park in 2004, it is spread over 11.753 sq. kms. It is the smallest National Park in the state. The forest department does not run any safaris inside Pampadum Shola National Park. But there are Ecotourism facilities which include Trekking and night camping.

The rugged terrain of Pampadum Shola is covered with West coast tropical evergreen, Southern Hilltop Tropical Vegetation found at higher altitudes, West coastal Semi-green at elevation of 100-150m, Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous comprising 60% of the vegetation, Myristica swamp forest, sub-montane hill valley swamp forest etc. The National Park offers a wide range of habitat types to the flora and fauna; 22 Species of trees, 74 species of herbs and shrubs and 16 species of climbers.

The Fauna includes several species that are threatened, rare or endamic. These were found high when the extent of Shola forest is taken into consideration. The restricted and threatened by IUCN, Parantica nilgiriensis was recorded to be highly abundant in the area. Pampadum Shola National Park is a home to a wide range of 9 species of mammals, 14 sp. of birds, 93 species of moths and 100 species of butterflies. Some major animal species found are Elephant, Leopard, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Wild dog, Common Langur etc. Among the birds, most common are Blue Rock-thrush, Blue-capped Rock-thrush, Cormorants, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Egrets, Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Black-and-orange Flycatchers, Nilgiri flycatcher, Darters, White-bellied Shortwing and Pied kingfisher. Reptilian fauna includes King Cobra and Pythons. The forest department does not run any safaris inside Pampadum Shola National Park. But there are Ecotourism facilities which include Trekking and night camping.