Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: The Kerala Forest Research Institute recorded a total of 146 species of birds within the National Park during a survey in 1997. In a four days survey in March 1997, Uthaman (1998) recorded 92 species. Compared to some bird rich areas of Kerala, this is a low figure. The extreme climatic conditions of the high altitude plateau are a deterrent for many tropical birds. Nevertheless, Eravikulam is an important habitat of many species of birds such as the Grey-breasted Laughingthrush Garrulax jerdoni, the Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudata, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa, Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon Columba elphinstonii and Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis that are endemic to the Western Ghats. There is a recent breeding record of the White-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx major (C. Susanth pers. comm. 2003). Along with Grasshills and Mukurthi NP (both IBAs), Erivakulam could be a very important site for altitudinal and habitat specialists such as the Black-and-Orange Flycatcher. Uthaman (1998) and his team came across this species 13 times in four days. This site lies in the Western Ghats Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfield et al. 1998) in which 16 endemic or Restricted Range species have been listed. In this site, 13 of these 16 endemics have been found. For some endemic birds, such as the Nilgiri Pipit, this is one of the most important sites in their overall distributional range. BirdLife International (undated) has classified species that are typical of different biomes. Eravikulam, like other IBAs of the Western Ghats falls in Biome-10 (Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest). Fifteen bird species are representative of this biome. At Erivakulam, nine species of this biome have been seen till now. Perhaps the remaining would also be seen if more detailed studies are conducted. Erivakulam NP is also an important site for the winter migrants from the Himalayas and beyond. For example, Large-crowned Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis, Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris and Rufous-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda, the birds of temperate forests of the Himalayas, winter here in large numbers. Similarly, Blue-headed Rock-thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus and Pied Thrush Zoothera wardii are found here in winter. Both species belong to the subtropical forest in the Himalayas.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: The Nilgiri Tahr is the star attraction of the Park. Other ungulates are Sambar Cervus unicolor, Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak and Gaur Bos gaurus. Tiger Panthera tigris, Leopard Panthera pardus and Wild Dog Cuon alpinus are the major carnivores.
Erivakulam Park has a migratory population of the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus. Smaller carnivores include Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica and Jungle cats Felis chaus. Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus, Nilgiri Langur Trachypithecus johni and Wild Boar Sus scrofa are seen in the sholas and adjoining tea estates.
The major area of land around the National Park is covered with tea plantations. Private holdings are very few, and such holdings are being planted with coffee, pepper and coconut. There are no villages within the National Park. The only tribal settlement is at Lakkam near Chattamunnar. There are two villages in close proximity, Devicolam and Marayoor. The adjacent lands are being used for the cultivation of tea, coffee, pepper and other agricultural crops. The hill tribes stay within the National Park and are dependent on it for their livelihood. They engage in cultivating lemon grass, and collecting minor forest produce from the adjoining forest areas. The proposed Munnar High Dam project, if implemented, would adversely affect about 50% of the population of the Nilgiri Tahr, as the tunnels of the project would pass through Rajamalai areas. The Anamalayar Dam on the Bhimamalai river of the proposed Pooyamkutty Project also poses a direct threat to this IBA. New settlements near Anakulam and Mankulam in the west are also a threat to the IBA.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Eravikulam National Park (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/eravikulam-national-park-iba-india on 23/12/2024.