Mukurthi national park, a haven for Nilgiri tahr

Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu is a forest area set apart for the protection of the Nilgiri tahr. Rich in biodiversity as well as natural beauty, Mukurthi lies in the Western Ghats. Other fauna present in the national park include Bengal tiger, Nilgiri marten, wild cat, numerous species of butterflies and elephant.

Travellers heading to Ooty can take a detour to Mukurthi, which is located nearby. The exact location of Mukurthi is between Mudumalai national park and Silent Valley national park. Incidentally, Mukurthi was granted the world heritage status by UNESCO on July 1, 2012.

There are four entrances to Mukurthi park, which is spread over an area of 80 sq km. The most convenient route is Ooty-Gudallur-Mysore. Watch towers have been set up for the benefit of researchers and birdwatchers here. Trekking facilities too are available.

Monsoon brings abundant rainfall to Mukurthi, which has a vegetation comprising grasslands and shrubs. Moreover, temperatures dip drastically during the wet season.

Key facts

Mukurthi national park remains open on all days, except Tuesdays, from 9 am to 5:30pm. The nearest airport is at Coimbatore, while the nearest railway station is Udhagamandalam (Ooty). The Ooty - Mukurthi distance is 40 km.