The core of the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, it probably is one of the magnificent gifts of nature to mankind. Silent Valley is a unique reserve of tropical rain forest in all its pristine glory with an almost unbroken ecological history. Above an altitude of 2000 meters with an area of 90 Sq. Km it has a fair representation of rare species of Flora and Fauna.
Visiting time: 6am to 6pm
Transportation: A mini bus and jeep (subject to availability)
(From Mukkali to Silent Valley and back)
Accommodation
1. Rest house at Mukkali - 3 bed suits - 4nos
2. 7 bed room
3. Dormitory - 40 bed - 1 no
4. Hut (2 suited)
5. Tariff - Suit: On request
Silent Valley National Park
Location : 40 km from Mannarkkad, Palakkad district, north Kerala.
Attractions : Extremely fragile, a unique preserve of tropical evergreen rain forests lying above the equator and the forest strip which causes the summer rains in Kerala.
The Silent Valley National Park has an area of 90 sq km is located in the north eastern corner of the district. It rises abruptly to the Nilgiri Plateau in the north and overlooks the plains of Mannarkkad in the south.
The core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the Silent Valley National Park. Despite its name, the Silent Valley (the clamour of Cicadas is conspicuously absent here) echoes with the sounds of teeming wildlife. The denizens of this sprawling habitat of endangered virgin tropical forests include rare birds, deer and tiger.
Perhaps, nowhere else can one also find such a representative collection of peninsular mammals, over a 100 species of butterflies and 400 species of moths and other fauna like the Ceylon Frog Moth, Great Indian Hornbill, the Nilgiri Laughing Thrush and the Lion-tailed Macaque.
The river Kunthi descends from the Nilgiri hills, an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, and traverses the entire length of the valley and rushes down to the plains through the deep forest. The river Kunthi never turns brown and is always crystal clear, perennial and wild.
The evapo-transpiration from these forests is much higher than from any other surfaces. This cools the atmosphere, helps easy condensation of water vapour and thus causes the summer rains.
Getting there :
Nearest railway station : Palakkad, about 80 km.
Nearest airport : Coimbatore (in neighbouring Tamilnadu State), about 55 km.
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